Latest news with #CarlosCendra
Local Spain
08-05-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
New study sheds light on who owns all the Airbnb-style lets in Spain
Short-term tourism lets have been pinpointed as one of the main reasons why property prices and rents have skyrocketed in the last five years in Spain. Despite this, the Spanish government has not released any detailed data clearly illustrating which group owns the most flats, and whether they're using it for short-term, temporary or long-term renting. The Local Spain has previously carried out research into this matter, with the best official approximation of the structure of property ownership in Spain being data by the Barcelona Metropolitan Housing Observatory (OHMB), which in a 2022 study concluded that 36 percent of rental apartments in Barcelona belonged to landlords who owned more than 10 properties. Now in 2025, we have new data to help us ascertain who owns a vast number of short-term lets in Spain. A study by tourism intelligence platform Mabrian carried out for leading Spanish radio station Cadena Ser showed that 26 percent of tourist apartments in Spain are owned by landlords who own multiple properties, rather than individuals who just own one. Mabrian analysed data from three main platforms - Airbnb, and Tripadvisor - and looked several factors, such as the number of licenses reported, the distribution of owners, and the number of vacation rentals they manage. Mabrian defines single property owners as ones with only one short-term rental property, medium-scale owners as ones with two to 10 properties, and large holders as those with 11 to 51 properties. In the last category they have split them into three tiers based on the number of properties they own, ranging from 11 to 20, from 21 to 50, and 51 or more. The study also revealed that four out of 10 rental apartments haven't reported that they have a tourist licence. This most likely means that they don't have one and that they're not complying with current regulations where they're located. This could mean they don't have permission from their neighbours, don't have a separate entrance or are located in an area which has banned tourist licences. 'There's a requirement to have one, but not a requirement to publish it," explained Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing and Communications at Mabrian. Furthermore, the study showed that the more properties a landlord owns, the higher the price they charge. Single-property owners charge an average of €41.10, medium-scale property owners €46.90, and large-scale property owners with more than 51 apartments charge €63.80. "We attribute this to different product positioning and a more professionalised marketing system. These are much more professionalised structures that offer much better quality, with a different quality positioning than that offered by small-scale property owners or individuals. This means they have a specific focus on increasing results and profitability, and they can possibly sell at a slightly higher price," Cendra explained. Tourist apartments are being partly being blamed for Spain's housing crisis. Given that they can be considerably more lucrative when they have high occupancy rates, landlords often prefer to rent to tourists than to long-term tenants, reducing the stock of normal rentals and thus increasing prices. Even though Mabrian's data shows that 26 percent of Airbnb-style lets are in the hands of multi-property landlords and companies, the remaining 74 percent of Spain's short-term lets belong to individual owners renting just one unit out to holidaymakers. This would suggest that average Spaniards trying to make some extra money with their second home make up the bulk of the country's holiday let market. In many cases, the money generated from letting out their second home can be what allows them to make ends meet every month. Others with sought-after homes in popular tourist spots may be able to make considerable earnings, but nowhere near the profits of companies and multi-property owners with a large portfolio of properties. These nuances are what makes regulating the country's holiday let industry so complicated and explains to an extent why the Spanish government has struggled to come out with effective legislation thus far. Different municipalities across the country have their own rules for getting a tourist licence, which aims to decrease the numbers, but many still operate illegally.
The National
03-05-2025
- The National
Why British tourists are falling in love with Ras Al Khaimah
While Dubai and Abu Dhabi have long dominated UAE tourism, a boom is taking place farther up the coast. Ras Al Khaimah is fast becoming a go-to destination for British holidaymakers, carving out a niche among tourists in search of value for money, authenticity and adventure. This shift was underscored at Arabian Travel Market 2025, where Iyad Rasbey, vice president of destination tourism development of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), told The National the emirate had recorded a 15 per cent increase in UK visitors year-on-year in 2024. Data from global travel intelligence platform Mabrian, shared exclusively with The National, also shows a strong preference among UK-based travellers for Ras Al Khaimah among inbound tourists, although two out of three visitors to the emirate are domestic. 'Ras Al Khaimah is positioned as a short-stay getaway, with an average stay of 1.8 nights – particularly among UAE residents,' said Carlos Cendra, Mabrian partner and chief marketing officer. 'However, key international markets such as the UK (3.1 nights) and Saudi Arabia (2.3 nights) show slightly longer stays.' Diane Campos, who is retired and British, visited Ras Al Khaimah for the first time in February as she wanted to see a part of the UAE different to Dubai, that 'isn't so developed'. 'We found it very peaceful, with beautiful views, interesting architecture and unique things to do, like pearl-diving tours,' she told The National. British content creator Nailah Aljasmi, who is married to an Emirati and lives in Ras Al Khaimah, said there are several reasons why UK tourists are favouring the emirate over its neighbours. 'Ras Al Khaimah offers UK travellers a compelling mix of adventure, culture, luxury and affordability, all set against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty,' she said. 'Its strategic developments and unique attractions make it a noteworthy alternative to more commercialised destinations in the UAE.' Jebel Jais – the highest mountain in the UAE – the old fishing village of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, RAK Museum, Suwaidi Pearl Farm, beach days and sunset barbecues in the desert are some of the activities Ms Aljasmi always incorporates into itineraries with visiting family and friends. 'It's the perfect mix of adventure, chill vibes and a bit of culture – RAK has this laid-back charm that visitors always fall in love with.' Authentic and 'experiential travel' were buzzwords this year at Arabian Travel Market, but they signal a shift in how people want to explore new destinations, giving them a sense of place, history and culture in a way that's neither forced nor performative. That desire for a more grounded and culturally immersive experience is a key driver of the Northern Emirates' popularity. Mr Rasbey says RAK stands in stark contrast to Dubai's glittering skyscrapers and mega-malls, offering a landscape of dramatic mountain ranges, expansive desert dunes and archaeological heritage that dates back 7,000 years. 'Our culture and heritage, along with unique experiences like the region's only pearl farm or swimming with camels, can't be found anywhere else in the UAE,' he told The National on the sidelines of ATM. The UK remains one of RAK's top-five source markets and its influence is only growing, Mr Rasbey added. He attributes much of this to the emirate's 'upscale all-inclusive' offering. Properties such as DoubleTree and Rixos Al Mairid cater especially well to British tastes – offering vast beaches, pools and all-inclusive packages that include room service, kids' clubs and outdoor activities. 'The properties in RAK enjoy massive space, so you don't queue for an ice cream, you don't queue at the bar,' said Mr Rasbey. 'You might pay the same amount of money as another emirate but you get an elevated experience.' Over the next six months, average hotel prices across Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are expected to converge, as hotel room rates are either increasing or decreasing to align, Mr Cendra told The National. 'Ras Al Khaimah has the highest average price in the five-star category, followed by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Abu Dhabi is experiencing the highest increase in hotel prices across all categories for the coming six months, while five-star hotels are adjusting their rates slightly downwards in most areas of Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, aiming to align prices across the UAE.' Cameron McNeillie, general manager at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, says the emirate is fast becoming one of the UAE's top contributors to hospitality growth. The hotel – whose guests are predominantly UAE residents, British, German or from CIS countries – reports occupancy performance in 2025 in line with last year, with a 6 per cent average daily rate increase year-on-year. 'With Ras Al Khaimah's profile rising on the global tourism map, new source markets opening up and ongoing enhancements to our offerings, we expect to build further momentum into 2026,' he told The National. Adventure tourism is a growing travel trend globally, leaving Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, which have plenty to offer on this front, in a strong position to capture market attention. This is why a major cross-emirate partnership between RAKTDA and Fujairah Adventures was announced this week at the International Conference on Adventure Tourism, creating the UAE's first multi-emirate hiking trail. Adventure tourism is expected to grow by 10 per cent-15 per cent annually over the next five years, according to various reports, and Mabrian data indicates that for RAK, 'active tourism' is now the second most important demand driver, behind culture and narrowly ahead of nature and the outdoors. The top growing markets are India, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Russia, although Mr Rasbey said interest from the Netherlands, Bucharest, Prague and Belarus is also increasing due to direct connectivity. While the figures are still small in comparison to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the emirate has recorded a 45 per cent increase year-on-year in Chinese tourists. A significant surge in car rentals across Ras Al Khaimah and other Northern Emirates has also been noted, said Benny Thomas, chief financial officer at Dollar and Thrifty Car Rental UAE, with a 25 per cent-30 per cent increase in custom year-on-year. 'Much of this demand is being driven by western expatriates and European visitors who are increasingly looking to venture beyond the traditional Dubai and Abu Dhabi hotspots,' Mr Thomas told The National. Shifts in British media coverage are also shaping the UK market's interest in RAK. While Dubai still receives ample attention, British national newspapers have recently run more features on destinations such as Ras Al Khaimah, praising their affordability, nature and relaxed pace. The National was told representatives of two major British national publications were in RAK this month reviewing hotel properties, coinciding with the end of ATM. With an aim to attract 3.5 million visitors annually by the end of the decade and the UAE's first gaming resort to open in 2027, RAK is poised for strong growth. While it may be UK travellers flooding in right now, those demographics will shift as the emirate continues its transformation.
Tourism Breaking News
04-04-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Nine Middle Eastern countries collectively account for 12% of the total global inbound air seats:Mabrian
Post Views: 92 Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform, analysed seats availability data on flights scheduled in international, one-way, direct flights connecting to nine Middle East destinations (Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrein), that collectively account for 12% of the total global inbound air seats scheduled for the full year 2025. This study is part of a series of Middle East market insights Mabrian will release in the lead-up to Arabian Travel Market 2025, aiming at sparking discussions on key trends shaping the travel & tourism in the region. Ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2025, this edition addressing the connectivity role in tourism development, Mabrian analysed the international air connectivity evolution and forecasts for 9 top Middle East destinations, revealing their role and potential as global aviation hubs and travel destinations, as well as challenges for a sustainable growth for international air connectivity. Mabrian's analysis of 2025 international air seat availability reveals key shifts in the Middle East's aviation landscape, underscoring the need for strategic route development, airline partnerships, and network optimisation to strengthen the Middle East's position as a global aviation hub. Key take outs of this study indicate that the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye maintain their positions as top global connectivity hubs; Saudi Arabia emerges as a fast-growing competitor; Qatar stabilises after sustained expansion; Egypt and Jordan are set to outpace global growth rates, and Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait face declining inbound connectivity. Saudi Air Connectivity Soars: A +38% Growth in Inbound Seats Since 2019. The United Arab Emirates (ranking in 7th position worldwide with 88.9 million seats available on international flights) and Türkiye (9th position, with 75.6 million seats) are among the top 10 countries with the strongest international air connectivity worldwide in 2025, based on scheduled air seats. This solidifies their status as key connectivity hubs for the region. When considering the forecast for the next six months compared to the same period in 2024, the year-over-year growth in international air seats for both the UAE (+6.1%) and Türkiye (+6.3%) is close to the global average (+6.5%). However, the full-year increase in inbound seats for 2025 in the UAE (+3.4%) and Türkiye (+4.2%) is expected to be slightly lower than the global average (+6%). 'Undoubtedly, the UAE and Türkiye have solidified their positions as international hubs for the Middle East—not only due to their strategic geographic locations but also as a result of smart route development strategies. These include leveraging stopovers and enhancing holiday itineraries, as well as the strength of their flagship airlines,' explains Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing and Communications at Mabrian. 'The next step is to take a quantum leap in tourism product development, as many of them are already doing, to capture and retain a greater share of these travellers in their own destinations.' Saudi Arabia deserves special attention. In addition to being the third-best connected country in the Middle East and ranking among the top 20 worldwide in terms of international air connectivity, Saudi Arabia is expected to grow by +8% over the next six months and by +5.2% throughout 2025, reaching a total of 43.1 million international air seats by the end of the year. Saudi Arabia is the country that has experienced the second-highest growth in international air connectivity since 2019 (+38%), following Egypt (+51%). 'Even though Saudi Arabia's international seat capacity is about half that of the UAE, the region's main connectivity hub, this growth highlights the country's potential to establish a strong connectivity triangle with the UAE and Qatar,' states a Mabrian expert. Two other key travel destinations also stand out due to their projected increase in inbound air seats for both the upcoming semester and the full year 2025: Jordan and Egypt. Jordan is set to double the global growth rate, achieving a +13% year-round increase in inbound air seats (equivalent to 6.5 million). This expansion aims to restore foreign demand in 2025, following a -6.4% decline in international air connectivity in 2024 compared to 2019. Egypt is expected to boost international connectivity by increasing air seat capacity by +11.4% over the next six months and by +8.1% throughout 2025, reaching 28 million inbound seats and further strengthening its position as a leading international destination in the Middle East. Other GCC countries exhibit a different trend in projected international air connectivity for 2025. While Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait are set to reduce total inbound seat capacity by -3.1%, -3.9%, and -4.4% respectively, Qatar—the fourth-best connected country in the Middle East and ranked 25th globally—shows signs of stabilisation after achieving a +14% increase in inbound air seats since 2019. Mabrian's travel intelligence also provides valuable insights into how air connectivity has evolved over the past five years across the nine Middle Eastern countries analysed, based on consolidated international seat availability data from 2019 to 2024. The data highlights both opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed in the coming years, including route development, airline partnerships, and the expansion of global connectivity networks. Oman, which has seen a -19.6% reduction in international air seats since 2019, has different choices to enhance its inbound connectivity strategy. Strengthening its approach to retaining travel demand—particularly from long-haul source markets—could be key to reversing this downward trend. A similar strategy could also benefit Bahrain, which has recorded a +2.3% growth in inbound air seats over the same period. At a more advanced stage of connectivity development in the region, Qatar (+13.6% growth since 2019) and the UAE (+14.5%) are projected to reach 32 million and 88.9 million international seats, respectively, in 2025. This sustained growth presents significant opportunities to increase international visitation and enhance routes to underserved destinations. Finally, with its well-established position as a major travel destination, Türkiye has leveraged connectivity to drive tourism growth, achieving a +25% increase in inbound connectivity since 2019. Moving forward, it can adopt combined route development strategies that serve a dual purpose—attracting new source markets while building alternative connectivity networks that are not currently served by GCC hubs. Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group, will be involved in a range of activities during the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market, including speaking opportunities, executive roundtables, and an extensive meeting agenda with tourism and travel tech industry leaders attending this travel trade show.
Al Etihad
01-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE pulls ahead as region's top aviation gateway with 89 million inbound seats
2 Apr 2025 00:37 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The UAE is expected to remain the Middle East's best-connected destination in 2025, pulling further ahead in international air seat capacity as travel demand climbs and digital bookings soar, according to new analysis by Mabrian published on 88.9 million inbound international air seats scheduled for 2025 - more than any other Middle Eastern destination - the UAE now ranks as the 7th most connected country in the world. Türkiye follows with 75.6 million seats, and Saudi Arabia ranks third in the region with 43.1 million, the report seat capacity to the UAE is expected to expand by 6.1% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, while the full year-on-year growth in inbound seats is forecast at 3.4%, a touch below the global average. The country's five-year growth, however, tells a different story, with Mabrian's findings revealing that international air connectivity in the UAE has increased by 14.5% since 2019, outpacing many peers and confirming its long-term trajectory as the Middle East's most dominant analysis looked at scheduled international, one-way direct flights to nine key Middle Eastern destinations for the full year 2025. Together, these destinations account for 12% of all inbound international air seats worldwide, with the UAE and Türkiye standing out as the region's top players."Undoubtedly, the UAE and Türkiye have solidified their positions as international hubs for the Middle East - not only due to their strategic geographic locations but also as a result of smart route development strategies," said Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing and Communications at added that much of this success can be traced to the strength of both countries' national carriers and their knack for turning stopovers into an advantage, drawing travellers into the local experience rather than letting them pass straight through. Cashing in on Growth and Demand But the UAE isn't just about connection - it's also a magnet for arrivals, with the country set to smash its pre-pandemic records within the next to Statista's recent analysis, the UAE is expected to welcome approximately 30 million visitors in 2025 and continue climbing to a record-breaking 44.6 million in 2029 - a 63.32% rise over five growth is translating directly into economic gains. The tourism sector's contribution to GDP is expected to rise from 11.2% in 2024 to approximately 12.4% in 2025 and 12.72% by 2028. In terms of the absolute economic contribution, tourism will jump from an estimated $56 billion in value in 2025 to a $65.1 billion peak in 2029, Statista's March analysis added.A key part of this growth story is the digital travel economy. According to a separate study by VIDEC, published two weeks ago, the UAE's OTA (online travel agency) air market reached $679 million in 2024, up 20% from the year before, and is projected to hit $1.1 billion by the hotel sector, the UAE's OTA market reached $940 million in 2024, with controlling over half the online share. The online penetration rate for hotels stands at 44%, and like the air market, is forecast to grow in tandem with rising digital adoption and inbound demand, the VIDEC study added. "The UAE is an ultimate global village, and its cosmopolitan nature presents unique challenges yet rewarding potential for those adept at catering to its diversified customer base," said Virendra Jain, Co-founder and CEO at VIDEC.
