The term Big Data resonates today because digital traces are everywhere: social networks, digital images, emails, surveys, diaries, and mobile signals all generate vast, usable information. This wealth of data enables organizations to understand trends, forecast demand, and make informed decisions with greater confidence.
HOSBEC has always recognized the importance of data generation to analyze the state of the industry and respond effectively. A notable milestone is the collection of employment statistics dating back to 1985, when fax and telephone were the quickest channels for sending data.
What began as a data initiative evolved into a full-fledged Big Data department within HOSBEC, established in 2017 with the mission of deploying tourism surveillance systems and guiding the association through digital transformation.
The inaugural project, HOSBEC DATA CENTER, serves as a data management tool designed to simplify the collection and management of occupancy data. It tracks hotel occupancy biweekly and apartment and campsite occupancy monthly. The platform provides three data submission options: direct PMS integration, file upload, and survey completion, ensuring users can choose the method that best fits their needs.
Although the tool started as an internal resource, it was opened to partners in 2019 to aggregate historical data collected to that point.
Business Mind
A core principle of HOSBEC’s Big Data initiative is to stay ahead of industry trends and continually evolve to ease the daily work of members while expanding their understanding of the market. This forward-looking spirit gave rise to BIONTREND in 2019.
BIONTREND stands as a flagship project designed to address the industry’s demand for an independent analytics tool. It enables analysis of both individual company data and destination-wide information, offering a unified view of performance across the sector.
In practical terms, hotels connected to the platform can monitor the current, future, and historical status of their tourism activities. This capability supports predictive analytics that inform strategic decisions, a valuable asset in today’s dynamic environment.
The platform’s success rests on a crucial shift in mindset: organizations have moved from competing purely on isolated data to recognizing that shared data holds much greater value. This collaborative approach elevates overall insights and drives better outcomes.
Developed in collaboration with Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, the project began with a pilot involving seven hotels and has since grown to 104 accommodations across 22 destinations.
In 2022, work commenced on the first phase of a broader initiative called the HOSBEC Tourism Intelligence System. The aim is to provide a dynamic interface for the Valencia Community to access the most relevant tourism data. The system collects data from internal sources and external partners, then presents it in a way that is easy to explore and act upon.
Beyond concept and implementation, the trio of projects adds value by producing varied reports that X-ray the industry and support consistent decision making. These reports blend data from HOSBEC tools with external sources such as national statistics and aviation data, as well as other tourism-related indicators at municipal, provincial, and regional levels. The overarching goal is to place information in partners’ hands so they can act confidently and make informed choices.
In every step, the emphasis remains on turning data into actionable insight for the benefit of the entire partner network. This approach helps stakeholders understand shifts in travel patterns, occupancy dynamics, and market opportunities more clearly than ever before.
In summary, HOSBEC’s Big Data journey reflects a commitment to turning data into strategic intelligence. By combining internal tools with reputable external sources, the organization supports informed decisions that strengthen resilience and competitiveness across the Valencian tourism ecosystem. The continuous emphasis on collaboration and transparency ensures that partners can navigate change with clarity and purpose.
Citations: HOSBEC project descriptions and industry collaboration materials.