Pilar Krespo He is the regional director for Spain and Portugal for Booking. He has been working on the metasearch engine for more than ten years. Having graduated from the University of Seville in Tourism, Crespo was previously responsible for Booking Andalucía.
How does 2023 look, will it continue with high demand and increasing prices?
There is great optimism for the high season. Expectations from Booking.com are pretty good. We saw higher growth in reserves in the first half of the year than in 2019. Frankly, we cannot ignore the state of uncertainty that surrounds us, both nationally and internationally. Therefore, it is necessary to be cautious, but today all the data makes us believe that it will be a successful season.
And how are the reserves for the Balearic Islands increasing?
We do not have data by region, but the Balearic Islands are a priority destination for national and international customers due to the increase in accommodation and increasing demand we see in the destination. It is undoubtedly becoming a favorite destination for our customers.
They added the option “I’m looking for an entire house or apartment”. Reservation witness how demand is? accomodation towards the increase vacation rental?
Actually. This is what we call alternative accommodation. We have more than thirty different types of accommodation: hostels, hostels, apartments, huts, campsites and less commonly igloos, treehouses… The intent is to offer what satisfies travelers’ concerns in all types of travel. Our mission is to help explore the world in a simple way. Alternative accommodation (holidays) represented more than 33% in the first quarter of the year, indicating a boom. 2022 was a record year, we grew almost 11% compared to 2019 and more than 56% compared to 2021. Two out of three travelers who book a home with us do so again.
arrangement vacation rental It’s a headache and more of a persecution of illegal bidding. Are they sold on your portal? household unlicensed? How do they control?
We are very aware that there is regulated accommodation on our platform, we have been working on it for many years. We require all accommodations to have a license number, which means we’re betting 100 percent on a regulated offer. We want tourism to be of high quality and sustainable over time. We believe we must find a fair and proportionate balance between the well-being of citizens and the well-being of travelers.
Are they fined like other competing platforms?
During the few years that regulations began to be passed to ensure the legality of apartments and holiday homes, we worked closely with each agency to understand the law and comply with these criteria.
How does the increasing priority of direct selling by hoteliers affect Booking? They have always complained about commissions from OTAs (online agencies).
The value of the reservation lies in adding a quality claim that aids international exposure. What they pay as commission will be when they get a reservation, we believe this is an added value. We understand that it is a fair price for the added value of the platform. Direct selling is a very valuable channel for accommodation, all distribution methods are very valid.
Will you add more services to flights? Hotelsattractions, rental cars or taxis?
It’s what we call connected travel that the company wants to continue growing. We can probably talk about new ventures in the future.
What benefits do a Dutch company leave in Spain?
We are a Dutch based company and of course we have representation in many countries and we always pay our fees and act in accordance with the laws of each country.
This National Competition Market Commission accused them of making anti-competitive practices against hotels and travel agencies. How is this a disciplinary file?
We are in the process of investigation, it has not been concluded yet. We are one hundred percent collaborative and open to providing any information needed. Our goal is to remain open, flexible and completely transparent. We can’t give you any more information, follow its progress.
In its latest annual report on sustainable tourism, the dilemma of choosing between cutting costs or making more sustainable travel comes to the fore.
One of the great results is that the client is faced with a choice. 87% of Spaniards believe that traveling sustainably is very important and important in travel planning, and they are growing. 73% want to make decisions that will help protect the planet. 41% will aim to travel sustainably within their budget.