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🏨 The 30th Hospitality Operator Forum will take place on June 12 at the InterContinental Paris le Grand, focusing on industry adaptation and artificial intelligence integration. Federico González Tejera, CEO of Louvre Hotels Group with experience at NH Hotel Group and Radisson Hotel Group, is working on revitalizing the company. JOST, an innovative hotel brand, combines dynamic social spaces with flexible accommodations, featuring bars, restaurants, and event spaces, and is experiencing strong expansion.

💳 Groupe CDS, French business travel management solutions leader, welcomes Andera Partners as a new investor in 2020. CEO Ziad Minkara regains majority ownership. Founded in 2001, offers a digital platform for corporate and agency hotel reservations. With 450 employees across 5 European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Croatia) and 4 brands (CDS, CRC, Goelett, SIAP), it manages €800 million in annual hotel bookings. In February 2024, CDS enhanced its partnership with Booking.com by integrating Demand API V3.

📈 Vanessa Heydorff, Directrice Générale at Booking.com France, reveals the company's AI integration to enhance travel experiences, targeting personalization and simplification for customers. In France, about 40% of travelers trust AI. Booking.com harnesses AI for new features, with studies showing 48% of global travelers ready to embrace AI solutions. Since 2022, Booking.com employs tools like ChatGPT from OpenAI, leveraging large data sets for tailored assistance like the "AI Trip Planner" for personalized travel suggestions.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) initiates a transformative approach to hotel booking and engagement by leveraging advanced technology for an immersive customer journey focused on personalization, innovation, and sustainability. Senior Director of Digital Customer Experience, Mario Manfuro, spearheads the initiative, moving away from traditional booking methods to allow exploration of destinations and digital hotel replicas before booking. This change was conceived during the Covid19 crisis to virtually "open the doors" to RHG's hotels.

🏢 Xavier Grange announces a record year for Sofitel brands in 2024: over 22 new deals, 4500 rooms added, and a high in contract value. Maud Bailly's strategic leadership initiated two years prior. Sofitel Legend added 3 iconic locations in Prague, India, and Giza. The world's largest Sofitel, Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile with 615 rooms, is set to open in January 2025. MGallery expands with 48 hotels in the pipeline, reaching Japan, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Emblems brand secured 7 notable hotels globally. Sofitel renovates 26% of its network, including New York and Montréal flagships, while MGallery renovates 8% of its portfolio.

🏖️ In November 2023, Europe's travel industry saw a 1.4-point increase in Tour Operator (TO) activity and a 1.6% rise in average prices. The high-end segment, particularly favored by American tourists, outperformed other segments, signaling a preference for luxury travel experiences.

🏖️ Starting from December 17, 2024, CASA MOHO Hotel in Saint-François-Longchamp will launch a new mountain lodging experience after a significant renovation by MOHO Hospitality. The 32-room hotel, located at the base of the slopes near the Col de la Madeleine, aims to attract guests seeking both active and relaxing stays throughout all seasons. The hotel features a heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, and a bar lounge, with a restaurant focused on local and sustainable cuisine. MOHO Hospitality's President, Yariv Abehsera, mentions seminar offerings, aligning with the strategy to provide authentic and varied experiences.

💻 Alix Boulnois became Chief Business, Digital & Tech Officer at Accor in June 2024 after joining in February 2020. She created the Digital Factory and oversees a team of 4,500 across 38 countries. Under her leadership, Accor’s ALL loyalty program expanded beyond hospitality and emphasizes ESG initiatives rewarding eco-friendly choices. Boulnois focuses on integrating business, tech, and operations, and has modernized platforms including CRM and APIs, with a notable partnership with Amadeus for the CRS.