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🌟 Greet, part of the Accor group, launched in France in 2019 and targets the 20-35 age group with a focus on sustainable travel. By the end of 2024, they plan to exceed 40 hotels, including new openings across Europe. The brand will open 7 new establishments in 2024 and expand to Belgium, Georgia, and Spain by 2025. According to Accor's European travel report from November 2024, 73% of European travelers seek sustainable options, though 46% don't want to pay extra. Greet maintains affordability through upcycled decor, local products, waste reduction, and offers employment for those in reintegration, embodying "positive hospitality" with the 3R principle (reduce, reuse, recycle).

🛏 Bikube, a subsidiary of Vinci Immobilier, launched its first hybrid coliving space in the Sans Souci district of Lyon, blending residential and hotel amenities. Catering to young professionals and travelers, Bikube offers a mix of private apartments from studios to 3-bedroom units, communal areas, a bar-restaurant, coworking space, and inclusive hotel services with stays ranging from one night to several months. The brand expands on Vinci's experience with student residences through its Student Factory arm.

🏨 Puneet Chhatwal, CEO of IHCL, targets doubling consolidated revenue with a 20% return on employed capital by 2030, building on a portfolio beyond 700 hotels. IHCL surpassed forecasts, achieving 350 hotels with over 200 in operation and a strong pipeline. The company recorded 10 consecutive quarters of record financial performance. Backed by India’s long-term structural trends—over 6.5% GDP growth, government investments in infrastructure, hotel demand outstripping supply, and rising consumer purchasing power—the plan 'Accelerate 2030' aims for a consolidated turnover around €2 billion, leveraging India's domestic market and expanding brand offerings.

🌍 At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance unveiled Universal Sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) during the joint session of Tourism Ministers and COP Presidency. These KPIs set a framework for the hospitality industry to measure and report on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water use, waste, and energy consumption. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Alliance, emphasized the commitment to sustainable practices and the importance of transparency and trust for consumers, in partnership with UN Tourism.

🛈 Booking.com, fined €413 million by Spanish Competition Authority for abusive contracting practices, appeals. Simultaneously, the Spanish Hotel Managers Association (AEDH) initiates a class action with law firm Eskariam for substantial financial compensation. The CNMC identified abusive clauses in Booking.com's contracts, leading to the revision. Eskariam estimates damages between 1.5% and 2% of annual turnover since contract inception until last summer's revision, averaging nearly €2 million per hotel involved.