Regulatory and Legal Affairs

🖼 HOTREC and partners in the European Tourism Industry Coalition issued a letter on October 29, 2025, addressing EU institutions. The letter outlines key recommendations for the revision of the Package Travel Directive (PTD). Key priorities include deleting the 24-hour package definition, removing rigid prepayment limitations, avoiding overlapping complaint mechanisms, and supporting risk-based insolvency protection. They urge for legal clarity, proportionality, and harmonization to safeguard consumers and maintain the tourism sector's competitiveness.

🌎 On October 29, 2025, HOTREC and the European Tourism Industry Coalition addressed EU institutions regarding the Package Travel Directive. The coalition stresses a balanced regulatory framework, emphasizing consumer protection and industry competitiveness. Key points include opposition to a 24-hour package definition, removal of prepayment limits, and clearer "force majeure" criteria. They advocate for legal clarity and harmonization in the final directive. For detailed recommendations, view the full joint letter.

📘 Decorex 2025, ILIV introduced two fabric lines: Vento and Monterey. Both collections are available in 19 colorways. Vento offers fire-retardant, plain boucle drapery with soft textures, ideal for commercial use. Monterey features a textured hopsack chenille with a multi-tonal finish, suitable for diverse settings. These collections ensure safety, sustainability, and design flexibility, catering to hospitality, workplace, and residential interiors. Custom print services are also available for bespoke projects.

🏠 Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen, EU's housing commissioner since 2024, warns that short-term rentals are a "huge problem" for European cities, urging action against a "social crisis" sparked by platforms like Airbnb. An EU affordable housing plan, anticipated in December 2023, aims to address this, originally slated for 2026. Spain plans a 100% tax on property purchases by non-EU residents. EU leaders will discuss housing at an upcoming summit.

💻 Spain, October 15, 2025: RateGain Technologies' Spain office receives its first Great Place to Work® certification outside India. Employee feedback highlights its people-first culture and ‘AI & I’ philosophy. RateGain, a leading AI-powered SaaS provider, collaborates with 3,200+ customers in 100+ countries. Founded in 2004, it partners with major hotel chains, online travel agents, and airlines. RateGain's global impact continues through innovation, trust, and employee empowerment.

📌 Hospitality leaders met in Paphos, Cyprus, for HOTREC's 91st General Assembly. The event highlights ongoing issues in Europe's 2 million hospitality businesses, including labor shortages, rising costs, and geopolitical challenges. Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, emphasized the EU tourism agenda ahead of Cyprus's 2026 EU Council Presidency. HOTREC leaders stress the need for EU-wide solutions. The 92nd Assembly will occur in Cork, Ireland, in April 2026.

📅 UK Travel Insurance Association (UKTIA) rebranded from the Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries (ATII) after 36 years, evolving beyond intermediaries. Originally formed in 1989, the rebrand reflects changes in travel insurance, with most policies now bought online. Membership has expanded to include claims, assistance services, and insurers. The new website, www.uktia.com, offers resources and information. UKTIA represents the majority of UK travel insurance turnover, advocating for best practices and customer trust.

📝 The European Parliament and Council's trilogue negotiations on the Traineeship Directive prompted HOTREC to stress three priorities: limiting the Directive to employment contracts, allowing differentiated trainee treatment, and maintaining the role of collective agreements. HOTREC calls for reducing administrative burdens for SMEs and advocates for a Directive to enhance youth employment without hampering training opportunities. They argue a Recommendation would have better respected national diversity.

🏠 Firethorn acquires 5 Lloyd’s Avenue in London from Swiss Life Asset Managers UK. 📍 Located off Fenchurch Street, the building will be converted into a hotel with an extra floor. 🏗️ Planning submission is due by summer 2026. Firethorn partners with SW3 Capital, following their Dublin hostel project at Sackville Place, featuring 138 rooms for 716 guests. 🎯 This acquisition aims to fill the gap for affordable, quality city-center accommodation.