train

There are users selling their Wrapped data to train AI models. Spotify has not taken it well

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Did you ever think you could make money with your Spotify data? What for many is only an annual summary with favorite songs and artists, for others it is a source of real value. An increasing group of users has decided sell your listening history To train artificial intelligence models. Spotify, which has turned Wrapped In one of its most recognizable brands, it has not taken long to react and the tension is served. Wrapped was born in 2015 as a tool to visualize listening habits and became a global tradition. Today, its popularity has given rise to UNWRappeda collective managed by the decentralized platform Vain. More than 18,000 users have grouped their data to sell them to interested companies. According to Ars Technicain June they achieved their first sale: a portion of data for $ 55,000 to only AI, with an average payment of about five dollars in cryptocurrencies for each participant. Wrapped is no longer just marketing: it is the center of a data control fight The interest in these data is not accidental: Spotify collects a detailed history of each account, searches, devices, approximate locations and technical records. All of that is available to any user through a Official download option, which offers packages in JSON format with years of history and precise data on the use of the platform. But although access is legal, its use has clear limits in the terms of Spotify. The policy for developers It prohibits using Spotify data or contents to train artificial intelligence models, resell information or replicate essential functions of the platform without permission. Spotify confirmed to the aforementioned medium that he sent a letter to those responsible for UNWRAPPed warning that the project could violate its registered trademark and violate these policies. The company insists that users can download their data, but does not authorize that they are monetic through third parties. UNWRAPPED pagethat until recently allowed to register and sell data, is no longer available. At the time of publishing this article, an English message appears that we have translated: “This service is no longer available. We regret the inconvenience. If you have any questions, get in touch with support. ”It is not clear if the closure responds to Spotify actions or a decision of the developers, who have not given explanations about this. Unwrapped was born, according to its creators, so that users had more control over their data, although their future is uncertain. Vana, the platform that drives it, argues that the project allows to group information in a community and collectively bargain its use. They explain that it is unlikely that a user manages to sell their data separately: companies are looking for broad sets, such as those who create vain, and then distribute the income among those who participate. Wrapped continues to be for most users a curious and shared annual summary. But the interest in monetizing this data makes it clear that the discussion about who controls personal information is not yet resolved. Spotify has expressed reservations on projects that use their services out of what is allowed, while decentralized proposals try to gain relevance. It is about to see what will happen finally with this project and others of similar characteristics. Images | Spotify | Xataka with Gemini 2.5 In Xataka | Google has resolved the dilemma of the age on the Internet as disturbing possible: spying on to protect you

You can make money with your GPU when you don’t use it. It is enough that you lend it to those who train AI models

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To execute and offer tools based on generative artificial intelligence, a lot of calculation power is needed (and that leads to a lot of energy). Therefore, the most powerful market cards and specific processors for Datacenters They are so quoted today, hence companies such as Nvidia, which specializes in this market, are reaping such an overwhelming success. And since not everyone can afford a powerful graphics card to experiment with AI, there is a service that we see more and more common: to rent a graphics card to remove an extra money. There are several platforms to get it and under these lines we tell you everything you need to know. How the business works. The model consists of acting as a host in a Marketplace where clients are looking for GPU instances for their AI projects. You set the price per hour, the platform manages payments and the client executes their work in an isolated container on your machine. You could say that it is like an Airbnb, but focused on computer hardware. Instances with an rtx 4090 in vast ai Numbers that we must take into account. An RTX 4090 is usually Between about 0.20 and 0.60 dollars per hour in these marketplaces, depending on the demand. In the best theoretical scenario, operating 24 hours a day for a full month, a high -end GPU could invoice around 240 gross dollars monthly (considering that we put it for rent 24 hours a day). But reality is usually more modest, since we have to discount what we pay on our electrical bill, the platform commissions (which can reach 24% in Platforms like Runpod) and, above all, that real occupation is rarely 100%. Expanding market. The price difference between traditional cloud giants (AWS, Google Cloud) and these P2P marketplaces is considerable. While renting a GPU on AWS can cost three or six times more, platforms such as Runpod or Vast AI offer access to very powerful graphics cards, as is the case of RTX 4090, for a few cents the time. And of course, these prices are really attractive to developers who want to experiment with artificial intelligence but do not have means to have a team comparable to the projects they work on. What you should know before starting. Turning your PC into a rental server is not plug-and-play. In most cases you need Install Linuxconfigure updated NVIDIA drivers, open network ports And keep your team working for the hours for which you have committed to offer it, together with adequate refrigeration, which will be necessary if your GPU is going to start working much more and for much longer. In addition, your customers expect the machine to be available when they hire it, which means that you will not be able to use it for gaming or personal work. It should also be noted that the income generated is also subject to taxation and it is possible that it is required to register as an economic activity in cases where income exceeds a certain threshold. There are certain risks. Beyond the wear that the hardware can receive for being constantly working, there are maximum performance, there are some security concerns. Although platforms use containers to isolate workloads, some experts warn about possible Vulnerabilities in multi-tean environments (those environments that serve several users) that could compromise our data or use the GPU to improper purposes. Is it worth it? For most users with a single GPU, the benefits are modest once all expenses and others are discounted. Now, the business makes more sense if you already have the amortized hardware, do not pay too much on your electrical bill and accounts with certain technical knowledge to maintain the stable system. Even more if you have a potential graphics card or level for datacentes. As an experiment or complementary income experiment it can be interesting, but do not expect it to make you rich. First steps. If you want to try it, start with offers “interruptibles“, that is, cheaper but that can be canceled, in order to know the real demand. Vast.ai and Runpod They offer detailed documentation to become host, including step -by -step guides and preconfigured templates. Of course, it is advisable to always control real electrical consumption and establish operation limits to prevent your equipment from becoming a slave to the background processes. Cover image | She Don In Xataka | Nvidia, TSMC and SK Hynix are the most powerful chip companies on the planet. None can allow any of the others to fall

There is only a great beneficiary at Ryanair’s departure from regional airports. One called “High Speed ​​Train”

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Ryanair threatened and fulfilled. As he turned a few months ago. The company confirmed yesterday, September 3, which removes more than one million places from regional airports. In total, its activity will be reduced by 41 % in this type of aerodromes and 10 % of its activity in the Canary Islands will also be affected. The movement has unleashed an wave of indignation among Spanish institutions that qualify the exit as blackmail or extortion. The company, meanwhile, defends itself by ensuring that the increase in Aena’s rates are incompatible with its operations in this type of airports. But what the movement leaves us is the confirmation that regional airports are less and less competitive. A good part of them have based their operations on a huge dependence on the company. And the Good train health It is making operating in them, more and more complicated. A good example is that the company will increase its operations in larger airports. The controversy As we explained yesterday, with its latest Ryanair movement it will reduce 400,000 places in the Canary Islands in winter, being the autonomous community most punished by volume. In total, 36 connections are canceled. It remains to be seen if the flights to the Canary Islands are held by other companies. A good example is the Binter expansion that in recent times it has begun to increase its routes in the connections between peninsular Spain and the islands. In addition, Ryanair has announced the closure of Santiago de Compostela and the suspension of all flights to Vigo as of January 1, 2026. It maintains the closure at the airports of Valladolid and Jerez de la Frontera. And will reduce its operations in Zaragoza (-45 %), Santander (-38 %), Asturias (-16 %) and Vitoria (-2 %). The company attacks Aena and the Government, to whom it accuses of “failing to the Spanish regions, whose airports are almost 70 % empty.” For its part, the airport manager attacks that “the communication and institutional relations policy of Ryanair is guided by Phariseism, bad education and blackmail”, while trying to “falsify reality.” All these words pick them up eldiario.es from the mouth of Maurici Lucena, president and CEO of Aena. The excuse Ryanair has used to abandon or reduce its operations at these airports is at the rise of Aena rates. Those rates are the ones guarantee basic services of airports such as cleaning or safety, to put only some examples. At the moment, there are substantial discounts than in airports with the lowest volume of passengers make them insignificant. On the contrary, where it is paid the most is in the airports of greater volume. That rate has been frozen in recent years but will rise if the CNMC approves it. From the beginning, the company’s opposition has been found. They defend that in countries such as Italy, Morocco or Croatia have been lowered to attract tourism and that, with these increases, “Spain is closing” to the same. A statement that The data denies. According to Aena, The increase is just 68 euro cents By passenger but they put the company that their rates have increased by 21% in the last year. But this is just the surface. Spain is not the only country in which Ryanair has reduced operations. The Irish have also retired more than 700,000 places from the French regional airports. And it is also not accidental that their operations to Morocco travel almost empty. For a long time, the company has exploited institutional advertising to maintain open paths that would not be profitable without these substantial pluses. In fact, that Ryanair trip to Daklha is only explained since The interest that Morocco has in exploiting that areanear the Sahara, as a holiday destination. Ryanair as a symptom And the train as a disease that hurts regional airports. To all of the above we must add the loss in competitiveness of many of the airports of which Ryanair leaves. The company has closed operations in Santiago and reduces its connections in Vigo. Casually there are two cities to which The arrival of high speed is especially affecting. Until not so long ago, the only way to travel quickly between Madrid and Galicia was by plane. Now, the High speed It allows you to reach the center of the capital more or less the same time as you travel by plane. And without the discomforts of this means of transport. In Asturiashigh speed is not yet working in full performance but the opening of new sections (and others on the horizon)place the region in a position where the train, again, will compete with the plane for faster connections. It will remain faster to travel by plane but its connection with Madrid is already competitive by train. What to say about Zaragoza where in recent years Renfe has joined Ouigo and Iroyo. The corridor maintains a hard competition And although the tickets are not the cheapest on the market, the volume of trains is very high and the latest connections already allow Zaragoza to be linked with Galicia in four hours (making transford in Madrid). In addition, the possibilities to get to Seville or Malaga are multiple with the aforementioned Renfe rivals. Eliminate air connections with the main Spanish cities should result in greater use of this means of transport. And from Aena they are clear that reality is “more prosaic.” “Ryanair moves her planes to airports where can set higher prices In their plane tickets and earn more money, such as Great Spanish airports“, despite being” substantially higher, “they insisted on words collected by RTVE. In Santander, where connections with Madrid are not so advanced, four international destinations have been withdrawn (Rome, Milan, Vienna and Paris) but the flights to Valencia and Malaga are maintained. In Santiago, however, connections with other Spanish cities die. And in Vigo he retires from the line he had with London. Casually when the contract ends Between the City Council and the company … Read more

hacke an artist website and threaten to use their works to train AI

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The attacks with ransomware They have brought to people and companies around the world. It consists of a type of malware that figure our data and makes the use of the equipment impossible until we pay the rescue that the attackers ask for. Is What happened to Telefónica in 2017 And what has just happened to Artists & Clients, a website on which artists can find customers to sell their works. The difference is that hackers are threatening to use all their artistic work at AI. The hacking. They tell it in 404Media. The hacking happened on August 30, when the Message from the attackers which said: “This website has been pirated by Lunalock. All its data, including email addresses and passwords of the user accounts, have been stolen and encrypted.” Shortly after the web fell and while I write these lines It continues to be inaccessible. At the moment those responsible for the web have not issued any statement and in their social networks there is no communication, but some artists who are on the platform They have expressed their concern in Reddit. Redoubled the threat. The message of hackers is a standard text in this type of attacks: if the payment was not made, all the data would be filtered, including the source code and the personal information of the users. The striking was at the end of his message: “We will send all the illustrations to artificial intelligence companies so that they are added to the training data sets.” In statements to 404Media, a researcher at the Flare cybersecurity company says that “it is the first time I see an attack using AI models as part of her extortion tactics.” AI and art. It has been a matter of debate since the arrival of the first models of image generation, who were trained with hundreds of works by real artists without permission. Some artists have sued the companies of AIothers their works began to “poison” to go crazy to AI and have even been created Applications to prevent a work from being training at AI. It is a delicate issue for artists and hackers have used it to raise the tone of their threat. AI to do evil. Lunalock’s case is curious because they do not use AI directly, but use it as another argument to its threat. However, there are cybercriminals who are using AI to make their most effective attacksfor example to program more easily or automate technical operations. A few days ago, Wired echoed an ESET report where they detailed how the attackers were using generative to execute ransomware attacks. Cover image | Pexels In Xataka | Creative artificial intelligences are going to kill art again. It does not have the slightest importance

Nox’s key to convert the nighttime train into the alternative to the plane

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The train is the Interior mobility dorsal spine from many countries, but although in territories such as the European there is a good international connection, Short low-cost flights They have eaten this emblematic transport. Although there are still diurnal trains operators and, above all, Night that connect those countriesbut now one that wants not only to offer an attractive option to tour Europe, but also stand up to the plane. His name is Noxand the bet is the price and private cabins. Wake up at destiny. In June of this year, He was born The German Startup Nox. Its objective is to offer an attractive solution for those who seek An alternative to the plane In a more comfortable, sustainable and, above all, private transport. Its founders are two veterans in the railway sector and consider that The night train It should cease to be that romantized experience to become a fundamental piular in Europe’s international transportation. Cabinas. They look for a change of model, replacing short distance flights with night -train journeys designed for both those who travel for work and for tourists who want to rest and dawn in the destination. The main difference with the plane (beyond airport times), and with other night trains is the system of cabins they propose. All will be private, they will have two meters and there will be Three categories: Individual loft for a single traveler. Double loft with convertible bunk. Double view with second floor bed, seats and panoramic window. The trains will have food, drink and space for bicycles, and also devoted themselves to recycle trains that are discarded every year in all countries, reconvirting them to offer this new cabin experience. Destinations. Those responsible hope to start operations in 2027, although we still have some renders of the project, and want to start with about 30 routes that will later expand up to 100 European cities. By 2035, they want to have large centers such as Barcelona, ​​Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest, Rome or Warsaw, among others, with a connection that will be central to central-city, something with which the plane cannot compete. Among its objectives, the range will be 1,200 kilometers away maximum per route for an optimal 12 -hour travel time. The price controversy. This is a crucial point and the bet is from 79 euros per individual room and from 149 euros for double and per night. It is a very interesting price, but you have to see how realistic it is. According to the German Aerospace Center, low -cost airlines They charged In 2024 an average of 79.33 euros per night tickets for journeys between 500 and 1,500 kilometers. Is aligned with the price with which NOx wants to operate, but in back on track They already calculate that those 79 euros can only be the entrance price and that the average should be exceeding 100 euros. According to the organization’s calculations, a night train with an average occupation of 75% and a maximum of 500 seats, would have a journey of 27,000 euros at the prices that NOX expects, assuming a deficit of about 9,000 euros per route to cover costs. They are not alone. As we say, several night trains operate in Europe, but Nox’s great argument is that of privacy. And apart from the fact that there are several companies offering this transport service, there is a whole movement to enhance the use of night trains. This is the aforementioned Back-on-Track, who seek to enhance this way of traveling as One of the tools that Europe has To reduce, According to themup to 3% their contribution to Climate change If used trains instead of aircraft on short and medium distance trips. In Xataka | Renfe has joined the “Slow Luxury” with a luxury alternative to visit Andalusia: Al-Andalus with tickets at 14,000 euros

Renfe has climbed into the luxury train with a renewed proposal proposal express: al-Andalus

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Renfe celebrates the 40th anniversary of one of his most emblematic tourist trains, the Al-Andaluswith a great renovation for its 2026 season. With this exclusive luxury train, Renfe climbs into the “Slow Luxury” rebirth car that are promoting international luxury operators such as Belmond Train, owned by LVMH, with proposals for proposals for more rest and exclusive trips aboard of the Orient Express or the Britannic Explorer. A luxury train to the heart of Andalusia. In its proposal by 2026, the Al-Andalus expands its route to include Historical and cultural destinations from Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha and the Community of Madrid, offering an exceptional trip inspired by the elegance and glamor of another era. This “Orient Express” Spanish It moves passengers to another era full of luxuries and sophistication, but in which everything develops at a slower pace, in contrast to the speed at which the current world moves. That is precisely the experience of traveling on this exclusive train, to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. New route for 2026. The 2026 route is an invitation to discover the patrimonial and gastronomic wealth of the south and the interior of the Peninsula. For seven days, Al-Andalus travelers travel Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid, with stops in such emblematic cities such as Jerez, Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba, Toledo, Aranjuez, Cáceres, Mérida and the Spanish capital. This journey maintains the classical duration of seven days and six nights on board, where time passes between fascinating landscapes, cultural stops and an atmosphere that revives the elegance of the early twentieth century. Comforts and luxury services on board. The Al-Andalus train is the longest train that circulates along the Spanish roads, with 450 meters long, equivalent to a skyscraper of 150 plants. It consists of 14 cars that house a total of 64 passengers. Among its amenities are a kitchen car, two restaurants, a bar, a game room and seven beds to rest with all the Comodities of a luxury hotel. The services vary according to the category of accommodation that travelers choose. The large class has an area of ​​6.58 m2 with two individual beds and includes all meals, visits and excursions, welcome cup, cleaning products and shoes. The Deluxe suite offers 8.26 m2 with a careful design and double bed, private bathroom with hydromassage shower and adds exclusive services such as the personnel are responsible for making and undo bags, opening and closing beds and all non -alcoholic beverages of the suite are included. Experiences of another era, current prices. Traveling in Al-Andalus is a luxurious experience that is not available to everyone: For the 2026 seasonprices range between 5,000 and 14,000 euros, depending on the type of accommodation. The Double Class Cabina costs 13,200 euros between two people, while the individual is valued at 11,200 euros. The most exclusive option is the Deluxe double cabin, whose price reaches 15,800 euros, with an individual rate of 13,800 euros. This rate includes a luxury bus that accompanies the train during the tour to facilitate displacements on excursions, in addition to a multilingual guide, safety service and free train transfers from and from the start and end points of the route. In Xataka | Private Jets have lost glamor among the rich: now they prefer to go “of Chill” in exclusive luxury trains cars Image | Renfe

China has turned the train into its silent road to Europe. The last shipment marks a new milestone in its commercial strategy

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For years, a constant flow of trains starts from the same Chinese city, Xi’an, in the direction of Europe. The last one did it on Wednesday with 55 containers loaded with solar panels, destined for Baku. With him, the city has overcome the 30,000 trains outputs with European destination since 2013, According to Xinhua. The figure refers only to items from Xi’an, not counting the laps. The data impresses, but says even more if observed in context: China has been using the railroad as a strategic tool to approach the logistics heart of Europe. The image of a train loaded with merchandise based on northwestern China has been repeated thousands of times in just over a decade. This constant flow has made the aforementioned Asian city one of the great nodes of the China-Europe Railway Express. This logistics network exceeded in June the 110,000 accumulated services (round trip) as a whole, According to the Official Portal of the Chinese Government on June 10, 2025date on which the symbolic exit was held from Qingdao. Although it is not the only point of origin, it stands out for its regularity, the variety of routes that operates and the prominence it has won in the land transport strategy to Europe. An essential route. The train to Baku is part of the call Medium Corridor or Middle Corridora route that crosses Kazakhstan, borders the Caspian Sea and continues through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye before connecting with Europe. This alternative to the traditional railway axis via Russia He has won prominence in recent yearsespecially after geopolitical tensions in the region. Baku is not a final destination, but a strategic point of passage within this network: from there, many shipments continue by sea or rail to countries of the European Union. What moves with this transport. The train that departed this week from Xi’an transports 55 containers loaded with photovoltaic modules. It is not a rarity. In fact, products linked to solar energy are a usual part of the rail services that cross Eurasia by this route. China dominates the global market of solar panels, according to the International Energy Agency, with more than 80% of the manufacturing capacity at all stages. Although photovoltaic modules have become frequent, they are not the only thing that comes out of this Asian city. The rail services that start from Xi’an also transport electronic products, appliances, automotive parts, machinery, textiles, medical supplies and consumer goods. According to official data, China-Europe Railway Express moves more than 50,000 types of different products, organized in 53 categories. In March, for example, a convoy with European destination left from Xi’an loaded with cosmetics, automotive components and household needs. The advantages of the railroad. In front of maritime transport, the railroad offers clear advantages in certain sections. According to the EIASoffers less transit time, less port congestion and less exposure to geopolitical bottlenecks. The routes that cross Central Asia and the Caspian Sea allow to reduce in several days the journey between western China and Eastern Europe. In addition, this corridor has gained strategic weight since many companies are looking for alternatives to shipments via Russia. For Beijing, having a more flexible rail network is a way to shield its export capacity against changing scenarios. Images | Xinhua In Xataka | Huawei says that it has resolved a technological challenge that will trigger China’s competitiveness in the United States

A night train to connect Europe from this to west

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Renfe has several challenges ahead and one of the most challenging is expanding. It already has a powerful presence in Spain, now more competed after road release and the arrival of external agents like Iro and Ouigoand the next step is Europe. To do this, Renfe has certain allies such as Leo Express, a Czech company of which Renfe has 50% and who is working on his most ambitious project: to join Eas to West Europe with a night train and a very long route. Leo Express? Let’s start at the beginning. Four years ago, in August 2021, Renfe acquired 50% of the capital of the Private Czech company Leo Express for seven million euros (in shares). This operation, explained from Renfe at the time, had a strategic purpose: expand in Europe. Leo Express operates international connections in countries such as Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, both trains and buses, but this new route will undoubtedly be the longest. Image | Leo Express From this to west. As he has advanced Rail Tech And we have been able to confirm from Xataka through the Federal Agency for Transport Regulation of Belgium (PDF), Leo Express is working on a route that will link Belgium with Slovakia. Specifically, the route will be from Ostende (Belgium) to Bratislava (Slovakia). From Xataka we have contacted Leo Express for more information and we will update in the case of receiving response. Time. It will be a long trip with 50 stops. The train will pass through four countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium) and will stop in cities such as Prague, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Brussels and witches, among others. The train will leave at 7:10 p.m. and will arrive in Bratislava at 14:18 the next day. The return trip will be at 14:44 and will end at 21:52. Image | Leo Express The train. Leo Express will wear modernized RIC passenger cars and Siemens Vectron Locomotoras. That is, the train will have a maximum speed of 160 km/Hy a capacity of around 450 seats, although by December 2028 they intend to expand the capacity to 550 passengers. These trains will work as night trains and, as such, they will have cars with options and/or optional literas. A huge challenge. One thing is the intention and another that the action comes to fruition. Leo Express, and therefore, have to coordinate a line in four different national networks, obtain grooves in these networks and operate a train for which they are not preceded. In Belgium, in addition, you will have to partner with a certified operator. Midnight Trains cabin, whose idea was to offer true hotels about rails | Imange: Midnight Trains The background is not flattering. In 2023, the French startup Midnight Trains He wanted to launch a series of international night routes between Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Denmark and France. It was a premium service that even received the approval of the European Commission, which saw in Midnight Trains an initiative to promote cross -border routes on train. The idea was good, but then the problems came: how complex it is to access the Eurotunnel, the lack of financing, etc. The project ended up closing in 2024. The other part, more positive, is the Austrian OBB, which has a division dedicated alone and exclusively to night trains (Nightjet) that connects 13 countries. THE NIGHT TRAIN IN SPAIN. Neither is nor expected. Although night trains are a common modality in Europe, in Spain they do not operate since the time of COVID-19. Renfe suspended this service definitely due to profitability. The background idea is that the night train was a commercial service, not a public one, so it should be profitable by itself and, unfortunately, it was not. In 2019 alone, the last year in which this modality was operational, lost 25 million euros. Cover image | Leo Express In Xataka | A 17 -year -old is the digital nomad par excellence: he lives in trains (and does not get expensive)

Train liberalization in Spain has been a success for travelers. The problem is that companies are losing a money

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Railway liberalization has reached cruise speed with spectacular results for passengers … but demolving for operators accounts. Why is it important. The train price war is changing the transport map in Spain. Users earn with more low options and prices, but companies are bleeding money in a battle that has also begun to question the sustainability of the current model. In figures: Almost 40 million travelers They used high speed in 2024. That is 77% more than in 2019, before pandemic. Prices They have fallen up to 42% On some routes. Passenger income is 35% below the levels prior to liberalization. The context. Ouigo has become the undisputed EY of low prices. In the first quarter it was the Most economical operator in four of the five liberalized runners: Madrid-Barcelona (18.59 euros). Madrid-Sevilla (29.09 euros). Madrid-Málaga (26.89 euros). Madrid-Aliante (20.80 euros). Only in Madrid-Valencia surpassed him Avlo, and it was for just 25 cents. This aggressive strategy It is giving results. The French subsidiary has managed to capture 36% of the market in Madrid-Aliante, 25% in Madrid-Valencia and 15% in Madrid-Barcelona. Yes, but. Profitability is another issue. The sources do not indicate the concrete losses of each operator in 2024, but The data They indicate that the average income remains far from the levels that Renfe achieved alone. The operators have increased only 6% the average income in Madrid-Barcelona, to the 8 cents per traveler and kilometer, a figure that remains 35% lower than the era of the monopoly. Deepen. Beyond numbers, liberalization is changing mobility habits. The train has won the battle to the plane bluntly: In Madrid-Barcelona, the rail share went from 65%to 81.5%, while other routes exceed 80-90%. And now the financial sustainability of the sector is at stake. If current margins do not allow long -term profitability, something will have to give in: either prices, or some operators will end up withdrawing from the market. In Xataka | Renfe trusted the Avril trains to face the Low Cost of Ouigo and Iro. They do not stop giving problems Outstanding image | Dani guitar

After the cruise ship, now traveling by train has become the real luxury. And he is living his golden moment

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Summer is just around the corner and, in all likelihood, you already have your vacation organized. According to datafrom Hosteltur, about 37.7 million people worldwide will have chosen a cruise in 2025 for pass your vacation. That figure demonstrates the boom that has suffered The cruise sectorand also explains the change in trend in their preferences for the holidays of 1% richer on the planet: train trips. But not in Any train. They are trains with a centenary history that little have to envy to the best five -star hotels. The luxury trips over rail They are experiencing an unprecedented boom, driven by a new generation of travelers looking for unique, slow and highly personalized experiences. The train is no longer just a means of transport: it is the destination in itself. Luxury train rebirth. The luxury train trip, which was previously seen as A nostalgic rarityis experiencing an unprecedented boom promoted by High purchasing power travelers that seek unique and exclusive experiences. Frank Marini, CEO of Railbookrs, He counted to Fortune That the demand for luxury train trips has shot in recent years, with all exhausted offers and with waiting lists of thousands of people. This trend reflects a change in the high -standing travel market and that luxury trains experiences are living their golden age. Growth is evident in the figures: in 2024, Tara Minson, president of Inteletravel, assured that her company had registered an increase of 65% in luxury trains reserves in the last year. What distinguishes the luxury train against cruises or private jets is its exclusivity. “People wanted the opportunity to relax. There are probably better way to do it than sitting in a cabin of a luxury train, looking out the window, reading books, talking and with excellent service on board,” he said Fortune Gary Franklin, Senior Vice President of Belmond. Changes in traveler’s profile and new routes. The profile of the luxury train traveler has changed significantly. Minson stressed that “the train, especially the luxury train, used to be for a larger audience, but now we are seeing many millennials and members of the Z generation who want to live a luxury train vacation.” The attractiveness of this type of travel lies both in the desire for exclusivity and in the Sustainability componenthighly valued by the youngest, and in the new “Slow Luxury” concept that invites you to reconnect more with experiences. “Traditionally, the main demographic group of luxury train trips have been high purchasing power couples and friends between fifty and seventy years. But the new Belmond or Accor Group offers has attracted millennials and the most wealthy Z generation,” assured to Fortune Anna Tretter, Travel Advisor of the Agency Fora X. The offer has also diversified. Belmond, one of the most recognized brands in the sector and owned by the luxury giant Bernard Arnault LVMHIt has a portfolio of seven luxury trains worldwide. In its catalog, the famous one is included Venice Simplon-Orient-Express covered the route between Paris and Istanbul from 1883 and was considered the most luxurious train in the world, serving as a stage for Police novels and 007 films. But not the whole market points to the ultra rich elite. There is also space for what Minson calls “small luxuries”: short escapes in trains such as Rocky Mountaineer In Canada, which can cost about $ 1,600. “It is its anniversary, its desire list, its way of celebrating,” says the manager. Exclusive experiences and prices at height. The experience aboard a luxury train is designed to match the standards of a five -star hotel, so it is not surprising that the price per night in experiences such as the L’Observatoire car exceed $ 100,000 per night. Comforts include private bathrooms with heated floors and personalized butler service on board. In addition, you can find menus with Michelin stars, first level entertainment and private suites that offer maximum privacy and comfort. The most exclusive trip of Railbookers for 2026, Around the World by Luxury Trainhas an approximate price of $ 124,000 per person and consists of a 59 -day tour that crosses more than 20 cities in 12 countries and uses seven different high -end trains. According to Marini, “the train offers views that you cannot see by car or by boat. In many cases, it is also your gastronomic experience, your hotel and even your social experience during the trip.” Luxury also suffers delays. However, like the rest of rail traffic, luxury train trips also suffer delays. Belmond already finalized the details to carry out the first trip of his Britannic Explorerhas been forced to postpone its premiere until July 21. According to He declared a spokesman Belmond to the British The Independent“To ensure that we comply with our high operational standards, we have made the decision to adjust the initial schedule.” Although many have decided to postpone their travel plans, the company has had to reimburse the between $ 12,000 and $ 75,000 that some passengers had paid for three days of crossing through the English countryside. “We are sure that this adjustment will allow us to offer extraordinary experience to our guests.” In Xataka | This is the Dolce Vita Orient Express, the Italian train of up to 21,400 euros the room for two nights Image | Bermond

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