Five Ibizan businessmen have been included among the ‘150 Influencers’ of the tourism sector in Spain, a list drawn up by the consulting firm Sergestur (Tourism Management Services): Abel Matutes Prats, Alicia Reina, Eva Ballarín, Marc Rahola and Diego Calvo, the same as in 2024. The official presentation of the nominees will take place in Madrid on Wednesday, January 22 at 5 p.m., the same day that Fitur opens.
According to the promoters of this initiative, this year new profiles have been incorporated and there is a higher percentage of women in positions of responsibility, which “marks a step towards a more balanced representation” balanced“, they indicate. In the case of Ibiza are two of the five influential.
For the election of these five Pitiusos, a first list of candidates was drawn up, which was “consulted and agreed upon” by a committee made up of prestigious professionals. Among the selection criteria were “their contributions, proven experience, successes and recognized professional achievements, contrasted knowledge, success stories, facts, communication, charisma, recognition and, above all, reputation”.
Within the list there are 34 professionals 25 professionals from hotels, 25 from associations, 10 from universities, 12 from travel agencies, 14 consultants, nine people from destinations, six from the category of extra-hotel supply, nine from communication and media, 15 from technology, five from training, four from the hotel industry and three from MICE (conference and business tourism). Those chosen are those that the committee considers “essential for the competitive growth of the Spanish tourism sector”.
Those chosen are those that the committee considers “essential for the competitive growth of the Spanish tourism sector”.
For example, Alicia Reina Escandell, director of the Migjorn Hotel (Platja d’en Bossa), CEO of Unic Restaurant (which has a Michelin Star), president in the Balearic Islands of the Spanish Association of Hotel Directors (AEDH), PhD in Tourism from the UIB and a degree in Law from the University of Valencia. She was already included in this list of the 150 most influential people in Tourism in 2022, 2023 and 2024. An article writer for Diario de Ibiza, she is a member of the Venus Committee and is one of the founders of the Tanit project, together with Eva Ballarín.
From 2020
The latter, a graduate in Leadership from Stanford University, is “an activist in generating meaningful change in people, business and society through positive impact leadership.” She is entrepreneurstrategic consultant, professor, international speaker and member of the Spanish National Tourism Council. She has been part of this list since 2020. Her latest project is HORECAlity, the first online classroom/consultancy aimed at improving the competitiveness of hotels and restaurants with effective implementation programs.
One of the best-known entrepreneurs on this list is Abel Matutes Pratschairman of Palladium Hotel Group, which operates in Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the United States, Italy and Brazil, and manages nine brands.
With personality
Another of the 150 most influential is Diego Calvo. He worked with groups such as Marriott, NH or Hilton, until in 2013 he decided to set up his own, Concept Hotel Group, with his friend Tallyn Planells. He has created nine hotel brands in Ibiza, each with its own personality and concept: Santos, Tropicana, Dorado, Cubanito, Paradiso, Romeo’s, Grand Pararadiso, Mongibello and Los Felices.
Marc Rahola Matutes, who also collaborates with Calvo at Concept Hotel Group, is another influencer. He is CEO and founder of OD Group. Born in Barcelona in 1974, he is the son of architect Victor Rahola and interior designer Mayte Matutes. In 1998, while studying business administration, he decided to join Palladium, first as a receptionist. In 2009 he decided to take a risk and create his own hotel line. It currently has 15 hotels.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.