Axel Hotels was a pioneer. The hotel chain geared towards the LGBTQ+ community was founded in 2003 in Barcelona's Gaixample district, "at a time of widespread closures that were nothing like the current situation," as CEO Albert Olivé recalls. More than 20 years later, times have changed, and the company has grown to over 1,000 rooms, with an expanding portfolio that extends to Cuba. Although 80% of Axel Hotels' guests are part of the LGBTQ+ community, they always remember that they are heterofriendlyWith a strong presence in Spain, with hotels in Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Valencia, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Ibiza, and Las Palmas, the company launched a franchise model at the beginning of last year to accelerate its expansion. The first establishment under this new system opened this year in Mykonos, and the second will open next year, also in Greece, in Crete. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the tourism sector, "which was badly affected," as Olivé laments, but, after the crisis, activity has skyrocketed and interest in investing has fully returned. "Today, there is considerable appetite among investment funds and family offices "To invest in any hotel project, because the returns are high. The sector is booming. Furthermore, Axel is a brand with no alternatives, and thanks to the loyalty of our target audience, we generate above-average revenue streams," says Olivé, adding that their clients travel year-round and spend more "because they don't have family responsibilities." With this new venture, they will cease opening new hotels through lease agreements. The last one will be in Porto, their first hotel in Portugal, with its opening planned for next year. Aside from the two franchises, the company will focus on management. Founded by Juan Juliá, Axel Hotels sold 35% of its capital in 2016 to the port operator Global Ports Holdings, but in 2022, Juliá bought back his stake to regain full control of the company.