Tourism is today one of the main engines of the Spanish economy, representing approximately 20% of our GDP and around 15% of employment. A few months ago, Exceltur, Alliance for Tourism Excellence, announced its forecast that the sector's profits would reach 178,831 million euros this year, which would be about 18,000 million more than the previous year.
Indeed, after the inevitable impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism is recovering in leaps and bounds. At the same time, the companies and professionals that comprise it are working on various paths of transformation, such as digitalization, the green transition or adaptation to new trends and ways of traveling. For all this to be possible – and for us to be able to have tourism that brings benefits to the country, reducing to the greatest extent the impact on essential issues such as the climate – the support of entities and organizations is necessary.
Banco Santander is an example of this spirit of contribution towards those who generate employment and provide economic wealth, such as the world of commerce. For this type of business, the financial institution has developed Getnet, an open business platform that provides personalized payment services and is easy to integrate with third parties.
As is well known, commerce has experienced spectacular changes in recent years, moving from the classic cash economy to a multiplicity of payment methods: online, in one click, through mobile devices, in marketplaces, through sale on social networks or through subscription. Getnet was born with the vocation of helping to grow this type of business, offering the necessary tools to reach customers in the midst of an increasingly complex and diverse payments landscape.
In this way, Santander focuses on the efficiency and reliability of transactions, so that businesses can focus on developing their business. Getnet is part of PagoNxt, the backbone of the entity's payment strategy, whose experience is put at the service of all types of proposals, from a small restaurant or hotel to the largest accommodation network or the largest distributor in Spain. 1.14 million active businesses in the application, 4,058 million transactions carried out in 2020 and the professional work of more than 600 employees guarantee the success already achieved by Getnet.
Another very valuable tool is Santander Renting, which allows, for example, the hotel sector to renew its vehicle fleet with which to offer Premium services, such as airport pick-ups or special guided tours. To make this possible, the bank configures this product to measure, incorporating the services that are necessary in each case.
Santander Renting has various advantages for businesses and individuals. Its strategy consists of offering mobility adapted to the needs of each client, which saves worries and is easily accessible: without deposits or final contributions or other unexpected surprises.
Furthermore, with this service unforeseen costs are avoided, since possible breakdowns are included in the account from the beginning. And it has another undoubtedly exceptional differential element, all services are included: comprehensive insurance, inspections in official or concerted workshops or repairs and replacement of tires, among other advantages.
It is also worth mentioning that Banco Santander has initiatives and programs specially designed to help in the processes of internationalization and expansion, or digitalization and energy transition of the tourism sector.
Its POS payment solution contributes substantially to increasing sales opportunities, and can be used with the most common cards around the world. In addition, you can now contract a flat rate service, ideal for those businesses that invoice less than 100,000 euros per year, until December 31, and get 6 months without a fee. Those who prefer it can also opt for a very economical transaction fee.
Another option to encourage business expansion is to resort to Furniture Leasing, with which Banco Santander offers the opportunity to finance up to 100% of the acquisition value of furniture, machinery or computer equipment that is required, and also photovoltaic installations or media. transportation, among other options. It also has financial advantages – such as the possibility of structuring customized payments – and tax advantages.
The entity also has various types of insurance: Cyber Insurance with Data Protection for the Self-Employed and SMEs, Company Protection Life Insurance, Health Insurance for companies, Comprehensive Multi-Risk Insurance, another Collective Agreement Life and Accident Insurance, a Civil Liability Insurance for Managers and another for SMEs and Entrepreneurs. It also has PY Policy Credit Insurance, which protects against possible customer defaults, and even a 24-hour alarm service.
To carry out operations abroad or expand in other countries without worries, the entity's International Business division provides services for the purchase and sale of currencies, export advances, merchandise tracking, management of international collections and payments or import financing.
The Factoring collection management service, for its part, allows you to anticipate the collection of sales from the moment the invoice is issued, without having to wait for its expiration date. Confirming is also tremendously useful for many companies, a payment solution that makes it easier for suppliers to collect their invoices in advance, without the company having to pay them until they are due.
All these products and services are eloquent examples of Banco Santander's determined conviction in providing support to the various actors in the world of tourism, a sector that continues to progress and adapt to new socioeconomic scenarios, marked by factors such as sustainability or digital transfer. .
