Renfe announced on 27 October that its Costa Verde Express and El Transcantábrico luxury trains will close the 2025 season after early-November farewell trips. Although marketed primarily to high-end leisure travellers, the operator said 12 % of this season’s charters were corporate incentive groups, up from 7 % in 2024.
The growth reflects a broader shift toward experiential meetings: companies in biotech and fintech are booking full-train charters so executives can network while traversing northern Spain’s “Green Coast.” Packages include on-board Wi-Fi and pop-up product-demo spaces, offering an alternative to crowded coastal resorts amid ongoing hotel-staff shortages.
Mobility managers should note that Renfe is negotiating with Spain’s tax agency to extend the VAT rebate currently granted to cruise operators to rail cruises—potentially trimming costs by 10 %. If approved, 2026 MICE charters could become a viable option for regional kick-offs and client entertainment.
Renfe will announce 2026 dates in January; waiting lists already exceed capacity for peak May–June departures. Corporations planning large-group off-sites should pre-reserve blocks or consider split-itinerary concepts combining the tourist train with AVE segments.
The growth reflects a broader shift toward experiential meetings: companies in biotech and fintech are booking full-train charters so executives can network while traversing northern Spain’s “Green Coast.” Packages include on-board Wi-Fi and pop-up product-demo spaces, offering an alternative to crowded coastal resorts amid ongoing hotel-staff shortages.
Mobility managers should note that Renfe is negotiating with Spain’s tax agency to extend the VAT rebate currently granted to cruise operators to rail cruises—potentially trimming costs by 10 %. If approved, 2026 MICE charters could become a viable option for regional kick-offs and client entertainment.
Renfe will announce 2026 dates in January; waiting lists already exceed capacity for peak May–June departures. Corporations planning large-group off-sites should pre-reserve blocks or consider split-itinerary concepts combining the tourist train with AVE segments.
Quelle: La Vanguardia / Servimedia
