Giuridico e Amministrativo

🏠 Barcelona City Council will revoke licenses for 10,000 short-term rentals following the Spanish Constitutional Court's approval of a Catalonia Government decree. Licenses expiring in November 2028 won't be renewed, converting these apartments back to residential use to address housing emergency and reduce uncontrolled tourism flows.

💰 Several Italian travel associations, including AIAV, Aidit, Assoviaggi, ASTOI Confindustria Viaggi, Fiavet, FTO, and Maavi, have addressed a joint note to Italian MEPs, the European Council, and other key stakeholders regarding proposed amendments to the Package Travel Directive. The contentious amendments, from a draft report dated February 25 by MEP Alex Agius Saliba, suggest limiting package travel deposits to 25% and requiring balances to be paid 28 days before departure. The proposal, set for a final vote on June 26, 2025, could significantly impact small and medium enterprises within the tourism sector by restricting market competition and imposing financial challenges, as advanced bookings are a critical market lever and businesses would have to cover significant upfront costs. Associations are calling for urgent political intervention to ensure a fair and sustainable resolution for both businesses and consumers.

✈ Indigo, India's largest airline by passenger volume, has launched two long-haul routes to Europe, flying to Manchester and Amsterdam. This expansion is notable as Indigo, a low-cost carrier, uses leased aircraft from Norse for long-haul operations. With no restrictions on flying over Russian airspace, unlike EU carriers, Indigo offers competitive prices and shorter routes to Europe. This move indicates India's dynamic aviation market and Indigo's strong entry into the European sector.

🚀 MSC and its founder Gianluigi Aponte, in collaboration with Blackrock and other investors, have recently acquired ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong's CK Hutchison. Aponte joined Blackrock-led syndicate, aiming to influence the development of targeted enterprises, reflecting his potential interest in the international tour operating market, including the Alpitour operation. However, negotiations with Alpitour have stalled, despite the airline Neos being a key attraction for Aponte. MSC and Blackrock have previously co-invested in Italo, suggesting future joint ventures. MSC's expansion is expected to continue for at least the next two years.

✈ Indonesia Airlines, owned by Calypte Holding Pte. Ltd, a Singapore-based company, is set to focus on premium service and international connections. Based at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten province, the airline will start with 20 aircraft, including 10 narrow-body planes like the Airbus A321neo or A321LR and 10 wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9. Planning to serve 48 destinations in 30 countries within the first five years, feasibility studies are ongoing, and the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation reveals that PT Indonesia Airlines Group (INA) has yet to request an air operator certificate.

📍 Italy secures three top spots among the world's best airports, with a surprise fourth win for Turin, as per the 2024 Airport Service Quality report by Aci World and Amadeus, surveying 700,000 passengers across 360 airports. Rome Fiumicino wins in the hub category for over 40 million passengers, ranking first in quality of personnel, ease of transit, pleasantness, and cleanliness. Milan's Linate takes the lead for 5-15 million passengers, while Ciampino tops for 2-5 million. Spain dominates small airports under 2 million, with 5 in the top 6. Copenhagen, Palma de Mallorca, and Zurich lead the 25-40 million category. Morocco's Casablanca and Marrakech are Africa's best, while the US and Mexico command North and Latin America respectively.

🏖️ Balearic government aims to curb overtourism by banning new accommodation construction, increasing ecotax, and imposing new taxes on tourist vehicles. Ecotax in June, July, and August to rise from €1 to €2.5 for lowest accommodation category and from €4 to €6 per night for the highest. Cruise ships docking fees to increase from €2 to €6 per night. A new tax proposed on rental and private tourist cars to offset emission impacts. Measures require negotiation with parliamentary groups for approval.

📍 AirExplore, part of Avia Solutions Group, expanded its fleet from 9 to 16 aircraft in 2024, riding the wave of growing international flight demand. While leveraging the full-service ACMI model (aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance), they face challenges due to a shortage of available used aircraft, causing lease rates to rise. CEO Martin Stulajter highlights the importance of balancing market growth and fluctuations for long-term profitability and meeting customer expectations for high-quality, reliable service.

🎭 In Rome, on March 6, 2025, ANAC confirmed simplified rules for micro-procurement allowing purchases up to €5,000 without MEPA, valid until June 30, 2025. This affects 250 amusement and theme parks, which host approximately 600,000 youths annually for educational trips and summer camps, as well as cinemas, theaters, museums, and schools. The previous platform requirement since 2023 complicated purchasing for small acquisitions. The parks' sector, with a yearly business value of €15 million, benefits from reduced bureaucratic burden. Contacts: Tiziana Pini (392 8084857), Carlo Menegazzi (338 8525200), Press Office (02 43981646).

📂 In the hospitality sector, the GDPR, enforced in 2018, regulates personal data management in the EU, requiring clear consent, offering right to erasure, and mandating Data Protection Officers (DPO) for larger facilities as per Italy's Privacy Code (D.Lgs. 196/2003) and guidelines by the Italian Data Protection Authority. Safe check-in practices include minimal data collection, informed consent, and robust digital security. Advanced technologies like digital check-in platforms enhance data protection. Remote self check-in systems, while ensuring better privacy compliance, also streamline the guest experience. Ok Home provides a secure, efficient self check-in solution with custom passwords, integrated privacy notices, and autonomous check-in, adhering to GDPR and Italian privacy laws.