AGP Executive Report

Gin & cocktail culture: World Gin Day coverage spotlights bartender-made recipes you can recreate at home, from a mezcal-Campari tangerine mix to a butterfly-pea “Blue Pea Crystal” G&T. Food festival buzz: Taste of Dublin 2026 leans hard into artisan Irish produce and global street-food stalls, with vermouth and craft beer among the highlights. Spain travel & hospitality angle: A piece on Spain’s tourism backlash notes the boom is sparking Europe’s biggest backlash, while another highlights a Spanish city (Zaragoza) pitching five-star stays for under £80 a night. Wine spotlight: World Verdejo Day celebrates Spain’s verdejo boom, with Rueda exports and UK demand driving the story. On-the-ground dining friction: Valencia’s Mar d’Amura dispute goes viral after a group allegedly “dine-and-dash” on a €402.80 bill, triggering public back-and-forth. Spirits/industry watch: A liquidation update for Hurel Ltd includes claims of alleged fraud and director conduct, with investigations ongoing.

World Cup & hospitality buzz: Spain’s national team is in Chattanooga and local bars/restaurants are leaning hard into match-week menus and watch parties, with Spanish cuisine spots like Amada Tapas and Wine pitching paella and Iberian wines as the “welcome” for Team Spain. Food supply pressure: A new report warns the era of cheap tomatoes from Spain may be over, pointing to rising costs and tighter rules that could hit supermarket prices. Rural tourism demand: Mallorca is seeing a rural-stay boom outside peak season, with INE data showing overnight stays in rural accommodation up 4.9% in March and Mallorca leading rural nights in Spain (over 63,000). Transport tech ripple: Uber’s robotaxi rollout is set to expand in Spain (Madrid first), raising questions about who pays the price as taxi work faces disruption. Legal/consumer friction: A Valencia restaurant case highlights dine-and-dash fallout after a €402.80 bill dispute went public online. Beverage market context: Global alcohol volumes fell again in 2025, while RTDs keep growing—Spain flagged as a key RTD growth market.

World Cup on the ground (Spain angle): With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off today across the US, Mexico and Canada, Spain-linked attention is already building around match-day food and drink culture—watch parties, bar promotions and “don’t get fined” trademark caution are shaping how venues market games. Global alcohol trends: IWSR reports global beverage alcohol volumes fell for a third straight year in 2025 (down 2%), with wine, spirits and beer all declining, while ready-to-drink (RTD) is the standout growth driver (up 3%). Spain hospitality leadership: CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha in Madrid appoints Patricia Martín as General Manager, a sign of continued investment in independent urban luxury. Food-city rankings: Time Out’s 2026 “best food cities” list puts Barcelona in the top tier (Europe’s standout alongside London), reinforcing Spain’s pull for diners and short-break tourism. Luxury rural stays: Único Hotels’ Único Hotels’ Finca La Bobadilla unveils a major Andalusia renovation, leaning into local materials and a design-led guest experience.

World Cup watch-party playbook: Spain-linked hospitality is gearing up for FIFA fever, but venues are being extra careful about trademark rules (including avoiding “FIFA” and official symbols) while planning big-screen match nights and menus. Hospitality VAT pressure: The UK’s #VATsTheProblem campaign keeps gaining signatures and political attention, adding to the wider debate on how VAT hits pubs and restaurants’ margins. Spain deposit scheme: From Aug 12, Spain adds a 10-cent deposit on most single-use drinks containers (beer, water, soft drinks, juices), with refunds only if returned via new machines. Food waste compliance push: Swiss AI firm KITRO says EU and stricter Spain rules are driving demand for tools that measure and cut kitchen waste. Migrant food in Spain: “Migra la food” spotlights migrant kitchens in Spain, framing migration as a core force behind today’s gastronomy. Travel romance angle: Madeira ranks Europe’s top romance-and-privacy destination for couples, a reminder of how tourism trends shape food and drink demand.

Deposit Return Shake-Up: From August 12, Spain will add a 10-cent deposit on most single-use drinks containers (cans, plastic bottles and cartons up to 3 litres), with refunds only when empties are returned via new return machines—part of a phase-out running to 2030. Functional Drinks Push: Corporación Hijos de Rivera (Estrella Galicia, Cabreiroá) is back with Impact Sips, an EIT Food-backed open-innovation programme to turn science-backed functional beverage ideas into pilot projects and market-ready products. Waste Tech Meets Regulation: Swiss food-waste AI firm KITRO says EU and stricter Spanish rules are driving demand for tools that measure and cut kitchen waste, aligning compliance with cost savings. Luxury Dining & Hotels: Nobu Hotel Madrid opens in September with a tri-level Nobu restaurant and guest perks; meanwhile, Nobu’s Marbella and other high-end openings signal continued premium spend. World Cup on the Menu: Spain’s bar and hospitality scene is gearing up for FIFA fever, including a Canary Islands “Atlantic clock” viewing shift that will reshape terrace schedules and late-night service.

Tourism Pressure & Backlash: Spain’s tourism boom is colliding with rising resident anger, with a new study ranking Spain as Europe’s strongest resistance to mass tourism as protests target visitor numbers, holiday rentals and foreign property buying. World Cup Food & Drink Buzz: Spain’s World Cup build-up is spilling into hospitality, from Spain’s 3-1 warm-up win over Peru in Puebla to the wider wave of fan viewing parties and match specials across bars and restaurants. Airport Retail Push: Aena is expanding its Enjoy Aena Awards to 13 categories, spotlighting travel retail and food & beverage partners as it aims to raise passenger experience and innovation across its airport network. Hospitality Training Link-Up: Infotep is hosting a hospitality masterclass in the Dominican Republic led by Balearic chefs, underlining ongoing Spain-linked training and gastronomy cooperation. Iberian Restaurant M&A Watch: Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala is reportedly preparing a bid for Restaurant Brands Europe, the operator of Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons in Spain and Portugal, as Cinven explores a sale. Local Culture & Gastronomy: Murcia’s Day of the Region is drawing crowds with concerts, museum openings and major gastronomic events along the Costa Calida.

Burger King Spain/Portugal Sale Watch: Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala is reportedly preparing a bid for Restaurant Brands Europe (Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons) as Cinven explores a sale, with advisers already hired and a potential deal timeline before August. Airport Retail & Food Biz: Aena launched the third Enjoy Aena Awards, expanding categories to 13 and spotlighting travel retail and food & beverage partners across its network. Tourism Backlash & Local Pressure: New reporting highlights Spain’s growing anti–mass tourism protests, with residents pushing back against visitor numbers and holiday rentals even as tourism remains a major GDP driver. World Cup Food & Drink Culture: Spain’s World Cup build-up continues with warm-up coverage and a wave of fan viewing plans that turn restaurants and bars into match-day hubs. Hospitality Training Link: Infotep hosted a hospitality masterclass in Higüey featuring Balearic chefs, underlining ongoing Spain-linked training and gastronomy cooperation. Food City Buzz: Time Out’s 2026 best food cities ranking puts Barcelona in the top five globally, reinforcing Spain’s culinary pull.

Diabetes Drug Watch: Elecoglipron, a once-daily oral GLP-1 pill, posted phase 2b SOLSTICE results showing bigger HbA1c drops and weight loss over 26 weeks than placebo, aiming to remove the food-and-water limits some oral options come with. Wine & Tourism (Madrid region): Mondéjar, near Guadalajara, is building enotourism momentum thanks to its 1997 DO status, Tempranillo/Malvar focus, and winemaker-led tastings plus pairing events. Valencia Food Culture: Valencia’s dining identity is expanding beyond paella, with horchata, tapas, olive oil visits, and local esmorzaret culture highlighted alongside Albufera experiences. Hospitality & Cost Pressure (Spain-linked): A new push targets VAT and hospitality tax burdens, with campaigners pointing to lower rates in Spain/France/Italy versus higher UK levels. Summer Leisure (Andalusia): Aquatropic in Almuñécar (Granada) reopens June 12 with upgraded kids’ safety and visibility features, plus a new elevated VIP family area. Local Food Scene (Malaga): Ant swarms are becoming a recurring headache for some open-air restaurants and homes in the Costa del Sol, with locals sharing practical coping tactics.

Food-city rankings: Time Out named Lima the world’s top food city for 2026, with New York back at No. 15 after last year’s absence; the poll surveyed 24,000 locals on quality and affordability, plus editor picks. World Cup hospitality: Birmingham venues are gearing up for FIFA World Cup 2026 with watch parties and match-day drink/food specials, including Good People Brewing Company and The Anvil Pub & Grill. Spain retail hours: Region of Murcia’s Día de la Región (June 9) will see most shopping centres and major stores open, with confirmed hours for El Corte Inglés and Ikea and normal trading from key supermarkets like Carrefour and Mercadona. Family leisure in Spain: Aquatropic Almuñécar reopens June 12 with upgraded kids’ areas and a new elevated VIP family zone aimed at better visibility and comfort. Cruise dining: Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Prestige adds more Culinary Arts Kitchen classes and Epicurean Explorer Tours through March 2029. Local city comfort: Cartagena’s Teselas “Shadow Plan” phase two is planned to extend shaded streets, with early thermal results showing cooler ground temperatures.

VAT Pressure on Hospitality: UK chefs and pub bosses are backing calls to cut hospitality VAT from 20% to 10%, arguing it would help struggling venues—an echo of lower VAT rates already used in Spain, France and Italy. Luxury Hotel Expansion in Sevilla: Four Seasons plans a new luxury hotel in Sevilla’s Plaza Nueva, positioning the city’s food-and-culture scene at the centre of a refreshed, high-end guest offer. World Cup Food & Drink Hype: McDonald’s rolls out its biggest-ever World Cup campaign across 100+ markets, including a “World Cup Meal” and collectible cups featuring stars like Spain’s Lamine Yamal—fueling matchday promotions for bars and restaurants. Spain Travel Demand Strains Airports: Aena warns several Spanish airports are near capacity for summer, with pressure on infrastructure as international arrivals keep climbing. Benidorm Visitor Safety: A Benidorm expat flags specific nightlife areas to avoid late at night, including spots linked to pickpocketing. Wine Tourism in Jerez: A guide spotlights Jerez and Sanlúcar as a food-and-sherry destination, with tapas culture and major bodegas driving visits.

Tourism & Travel Pressure: Aena says multiple Spanish airports are already at or near capacity for summer, with Malaga, Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Valencia, Sevilla and several islands among the busiest—raising the stakes for food and beverage outlets serving peak crowds. Deposit Return Rules: Spain’s drinks deposit scheme may require retailers and hospitality venues to accept eligible bottles/cans even if bought elsewhere, a potential operational headache for bars and restaurants. Papal Visit Boost: Pope Leo XIV’s expected €90m–€125m economic impact (with food and beverage projected as the biggest share of visitor spend) is set to lift demand across Madrid, Barcelona and the Canaries. Cuba Sanctions Shock: Foreign hotel groups including Spain’s Meliá are pulling back from Cuba over US sanctions tied to GAESA—another hit to the island’s tourism and hospitality supply chain. Wine Tourism Angle: Jerez is highlighted as a top wine-and-food stop, with sherry tastings and tabancos driving visitor spending.

Deposit Return Rule Change: Spain’s new deposit return scheme (SDDR) could force shops, bars and restaurants to accept eligible bottles/cans even if they weren’t bought there—potentially reshaping day-to-day operations for retailers and hospitality. Airport Pressure: Aena warns several Spanish airports are at or near capacity this summer (including Malaga, Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Valencia, Sevilla and parts of the Balearics/Canaries), with Madrid/Palma/Lanzarote/Ibiza approaching operational limits. Tourism Spend Boost: Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain is projected to generate roughly €90m–€125m in economic impact, with food and beverage services expected to take the biggest share of visitor spending. Young Spain Drinking Shift: Spain’s Ministry of Health reports a sharp drop in regular alcohol use among 15–24-year-olds, while consumption rises in the 25–64 group—an important signal for bars and brands. Hospitality Demand & Pricing: With summer bookings slowing in parts of the market, Spanish tour operators are leaning on special offers and last-minute promotions to protect demand. Culinary Travel Trend: Regent Seven Seas’ new ship highlights “Epicurean enrichment,” with classes and tours featuring Spain among other destinations—another push toward food-led tourism.

Deposit Return Shake-Up: Spain’s new drinks deposit return scheme could force shops and bars to accept eligible bottles and cans even if they were bought elsewhere, changing day-to-day returns for consumers and adding new duties for businesses. Luxury Hospitality Push: Four Seasons plans a new luxury hotel in Seville on Plaza Nueva, betting on the city’s dining and culture draw as it expands its Spain footprint. Papal Tourism Boost: Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain is projected to generate roughly €90m–€125m in economic impact, with food and beverage expected to take the biggest share of visitor spending. Travel Demand & Pricing Pressure: Spanish tour operators are cutting prices as summer bookings slow, pointing to more cautious consumer behavior and a stronger reliance on marketing and last-minute deals. Health & Alcohol Trends: Spain’s Ministry of Health data shows young Spaniards (15–24) are drinking far less than two decades ago, while middle-aged groups are seeing a rise. Food Culture Spotlight: A new Mandarin Oriental opens in Mallorca with a multi-restaurant culinary lineup, positioning the island as a “culinary mecca” for summer.

Luxury Cruising & Spanish Flavours: Regent Seven Seas’ new Seven Seas Prestige debuts a Culinary Arts Kitchen with 64 classes and tours featuring signature dishes from Spain (plus other Mediterranean stops), aiming to turn onboard dining into destination storytelling. Tourism Demand & Pricing Pressure: Spain’s travel trade says summer bookings are slowing, especially for some European source markets, pushing operators toward last-minute promotions as consumers get more price-sensitive. Hospitality Heat Rules: Spain’s extreme-heat risk could force bars and restaurants to close outdoor seating under updated hospitality labour protections, reshaping the alfresco dining season. Non-Alc Aperitivo Push: Le Tribute launches a 100% alcohol-free Bitter Aperitivo for premium on-trade and retail, betting on continued growth in the no-alcohol category. Ready Meals Scale-Up: Clavo Food Factory expands chilled/frozen capacity at its Tordesillas plant via Mecalux automation, boosting storage by 50% and cutting operating times by ~20% to serve 42,000 restaurants. Olive Oil Spotlight: The Amsterdam International Olive Oil Competition highlights top extra virgin olive oils from 20 countries, reinforcing Spain’s broader Mediterranean oil momentum.

Luxury Hospitality Expansion: Four Seasons and Spanish real estate firm Blasson have announced plans for Four Seasons Hotel Sevilla on Plaza Nueva, with ~55 rooms, multiple F&B outlets (street-level restaurant, rooftop bar/restaurant, lounge), plus spa and rooftop pool—another sign luxury brands are doubling down on Spain’s city breaks. Tourism & Spend Boost: A papal visit by Pope Leo XIV is projected to drive €90m–€125m in Spain-wide economic impact, with food & beverage expected to take the biggest share (about 78%), led by Madrid’s June 6–9 events. On-the-Ground Operations: Spain’s extreme heat risk tied to El Niño could force restaurants and bars to close outdoor terraces under hospitality labour rules when orange/red warnings hit—directly affecting alfresco dining demand. Foodservice Supply Chain: Clavo Food Factory (ready-to-eat chilled/frozen) boosted storage capacity by 50% and cut operating times ~20% after installing Mecalux automation in Tordesillas. Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Le Tribute (MG Destilerías) launched an alcohol-free Bitter Aperitivo aimed at premium on-trade and retail, tapping fast-growing no-alcohol categories. Olive Oil Trade: The Amsterdam International Olive Oil Competition (AIOOC) highlighted strong international results, with Italy winning top honours—useful signal for Spain’s olive oil export competitiveness.

Hospitality VAT pressure: UK campaign “VATs The Problem” hit 111,881 signatures as chefs and pub groups push to cut hospitality VAT from 20% to 10%—a rate they say would better match Spain/Italy and ease restaurant survival stress. Luxury hotel expansion in Spain: Four Seasons, with Spanish partner Blasson, plans a new Four Seasons Hotel Sevilla on Plaza Nueva (about 55 rooms), signaling continued high-end demand for Andalucía’s food-and-culture hubs. Staffing crunch for summer: Spain’s tourism peak season is arriving with growing worries over labour shortages in hotels, restaurants and bars, as housing costs and seasonal recruitment challenges bite despite record employment. Foodservice brand credibility play: PepsiCo’s Doritos Loaded is teaming with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to create restaurant recipes and experiences—another sign snacks are being repositioned as meal platforms. Trade push for Spanish F&B: “Taste Spain Accra” returns June 18, linking Spanish food and beverage firms with Ghanaian importers, distributors and hospitality buyers. Sustainability & sourcing: Hospitality operators are being pushed toward responsible ingredient sourcing, with EU products highlighted for traceability and certification-backed authenticity.