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Iberostar Group Recognised in 2025 Time100 List
3HB Hotels Celebrate Prestigious Environmental Accolade
3HB Faro, 3HB Guaraná, 3HB Clube Humbria, 3HB Falésia Garden and 3HB Golden Beach have each received the prestigious international Green Key 2025 certification, recognising their commitment to environmental, economic, and social best practices in the tourism sector. The award ceremony took place on
June 27 at the Pousada de Marvão, with the support of the Marvão Town Council and the Alentejo and Ribatejo Regional Tourism Authority. Green Key is an environmental certification promoted by the Foundation for EnvironmentalEducation (FEE).
In
Portugal, it has been coordinated since 2006 by the Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação (ABAAE). The program aims to promote sustainable tourism by recognising establishments that implement responsible and sustainable practices.
A National Commission, made up of 19 entities representing various areas of the public sector and civil society, assesses the applications, ensuring the program operates effectively. These awards reflect the ongoing commitment and dedication of the teams toward building a more sustainable future. They reinforce the group’s pledge to eco- efficiency, to reduce its environmental footprint, and to foster a culture of shared responsibility among guests, staff, and partners.
The group proudly accepts this distinction for all its properties, reinforcing its motivation to consciously pursue a more sustainable form of tourism.
Etihad Airways Takes Delivery of First Airbus A321LR
ETIHAD Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321LR (long range) following a ceremony at the Airbus Finkenwerder site, marking a transformational milestone in the airline’s fleet expansion strategy. The aircraft brings Etihad’s signature widebody experience to short and medium- haul routes, with premium cabins typically found only on long-haul flights. This is the first of 30 A321LR aircraft scheduled to join Etihad’s fleet.
IBEROSTAR Group has been recognised as one of the Most Influential Companies on the 2025 TIME100 list. This prestigious annual list celebrates the contributions of 100 companies making an extraordinary global impact. The 100% Spanish family-owned company has been acknowledged in the Leaders category for its commitment to a responsible business model, its impact on the global tourism
industry, and its ambition to
transform the sector through science and innovation.
This accolade positions Iberostar as the sole Spanish company and only tourism representative on a global list annually identifying organisations that are truly shaping the business world through their leadership in sustainability, impact, and economic success.
September/October 2025
Tourist Spend in EU Expected To Rise by 13% Compared with 2024
innovation,
“This recognition from TIME supports our ambition to transform tourism and highlights the collective effort of an exceptional team that works with a long-term vision and is committed to excellence. This achievement encourages us to move forward with determination and place our purpose and values as fundamental pillars of our future growth,” states Sabina Fluxá, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Grupo Iberostar. “Being included in the TIME 100 list underscores that advancing positive change – rooted in science, collaboration, and purpose – can be transformative in driving business growth. By embedding a responsible strategic approach throughout our entire business, we aim to demonstrate that sustainability is not an add-on but generates long-term value. This recognition reinforces our vision to shape a model of tourism that actively supports nature, empowers local communities, and creates resilience – for the benefit of generations to come,” says Gloria Fluxá, Vice-Chairman and Chief.
EUROPE’S tourism sector maintained a solid performance in Q2 2025, highlighting its resilience amid ongoing economic pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. According
to the European Commission’s latest report, Travel “European
Tourism: Trends & Prospects”, international tourist arrivals rose moderately by 3.3% compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, nights spent fell slightly by
0.7% - a decline likely driven by calendar effects, including the shift of Easter to late April and changes to school holiday schedules, rather than a drop in demand. Elevated travel-related prices are likely to weigh on consumers’ willingness to spend, but research also shows that overall travel expenditure is expected to be 13% higher in 2025 than in 2024. As more travellers are looking for value for money, lesser-known destinations with competitive prices might benefit, reducing overcrowding pressure in tourist hotspots.
Searches for spring getaways increased by 36% year-on-year among European travellers, indicating growing demand for off-season travel, with most seeking sun and beach destinations.
While the shift of Easter to late April contributed to this
rise, the trend also
reflects changing traveller preferences - particularly the desire to avoid peak heat and overcrowding during the summer months. Malta saw a 19% increase in arrivals, supported by enhanced connectivity, while
Cyprus posted a 16% rise, driven by its favourable location and year-round appeal -both destinations growing from a lower base. Larger summer destinations such as Spain (+7%) and Portugal (+3%) also benefited from this trend.
Central Eastern European destinations, including Latvia (+16%), Lithuania (+15%), and Hungary (+14%), also noted strong year- on-year increases in arrivals, likely due to increased connectivity. This demonstrates a continued path to recovery from the pandemic and the impacts of the Russo- Ukrainian war.
Costs for many tourism-related services have risen from last year, with further increases likely during the summer months of July and August, which may impact travellers’ destination choice this summer. As the high season in the Southern/ Mediterranean region approaches, the price of international flights to the area has risen 5% in the first four months of 2025 year-on- year, while the cost of international package holidays is up 7%. At the same time, Southern European destinations - including Spain, Cyprus, and Malta - reported substantial increases in tourism revenue in the first months of 2025. This suggests that travellers are spending more during off-peak travel months. Overall, tourist spending across Europe is expected to rise by approximately 13% compared to 2024, with growth outpacing arrivals and indicating a higher average spend per trip.
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