Thomas

🏠 Tribunal administratif de Rennes rejects 14 property owners' challenge against Saint-Malo city regulations on October 17, aiming to control Airbnb/Booking listings, introduced in June 2021 and February 2022. These regulations, deemed the strictest in France, include zoning with quotas per district, especially in the historic city center, and change of use permissions limited to individuals, excluding SCI or SAS entities. The tribunal validated the decrees, noting they address a general interest of combating housing shortage in Saint-Malo, citing a reduction of 70 short-term rentals from the market between 2023 and 2024. Mayor Gilles Lurton of Saint-Malo cites a 40% increase in property sales prices over five years due to real estate speculation fueled by tourist rentals. Paris tribunal of commerce decision on Airbnb's appeal, concerning hoteliers' accusations of unfair competition damaging the hotel economy, is awaited. Airbnb upholds its compliance with platform regulations after a 6-year legal battle. Previous 2023 Paris Appeal Court ruling held Airbnb accountable for a tenant's illegal sublet, suggesting responsibility for content on its platform.

🌍 Lily Ray highlights Google's dominance in travel searches and bookings, with Google Travel pages ranking #1 for "voyage" and "flights" keywords in September. Google Travel suite includes Google Flights, dominating with major airlines and budget opportunities, Google Hotels, increasingly featuring small local businesses, Google Vacation Rentals, controlled by OTAs like VRBO and Booking, and Google Explore, promoting personalized experiences. Google Flights introduces a "Cheapest" filter feature globally, to be available in two weeks, focusing on price, potentially leading to longer layovers or secondary airports. The feature's launch is timed strategically before Black Friday and the holiday season.

🌙 Booking's annual "Travel Predictions" study for 2025, surveyed 27,000 people across 33 countries, revealing trends such as "noctourism" and "Boys II Zen." Noctourism, driven by a growing interest in astronomy and climate change adaptation, sees 62% of travelers seeking darker skies to enjoy stargazing (72%) and constellation observation (57%). HomeToGo's study notes that 45% plan off-season travel for budget stretching and crowd avoidance, with climate concerns influencing 35%. Expedia's concept of "JOMO" (Joy of Missing Out) is embraced by travelers seeking serene destinations for stress reduction (62%) and quality family time (47%). Additionally, "MultiGen Megatrips" are on the rise, with 46% of travelers choosing experiences over inheritance, and 80% of baby boomers willing to fund trips for their descendants. Technology is expected to enhance authentic travel experiences, with 66% using AI for informed decisions and 67% to find less crowded destinations.

📈 Expedia consacre jusqu'à 50% de son CA en marketing, et Booking 32%, avec le marché du voyage croissant à un rythme de 8% annuellement. BTIG Research indique que les OTAs privilégient désormais la réservation directe et les réseaux sociaux. Au 2ème trimestre 2024, Airbnb, Booking, Expedia et Trip.com ont dépensé 4,6 milliards $ en marketing, avec Airbnb investissant 573 millions $ (21% du CA), Booking 1,9 milliards $ (32% du CA), Expedia 1,8 milliards $ (50% du CA), et Trip.com 390 millions $ (22% du CA). Booking investit dans les réseaux sociaux, tandis qu'Expedia mise sur la fidélisation et Airbnb sur son application mobile pour réduire la dépendance au marketing conventionnel.

🛌 In 2025, Hilton predicts the year of "maximizer travelers" with a trend for relaxation combined with intense experiences. The chain has 24 brands, over 7,600 establishments, and nearly 1.2 million rooms in 126 countries. A survey of 13,000 travelers suggests 70% enjoy activities on trips, while 20% engage in "Hurkle-Durkling" (staying in bed all day), indicating a demand for late checkouts. Pet-friendly travel and trips among "Frolleagues" (friends-collaborates) are on the rise, with 30% intending to travel this way. Hilton's revenue from related events tripled compared to 2019. The Ibis chain (Accor Group), targeting Gen Y/Z travelers, reports 25% booking vacations seen on social media, with 39% for Y/Z. Travelers prioritize environmental impact, with 75% considering it, and 86% of Millennials favor eco-friendly travel. Over 50% are willing to pay more for premium services, and solitary travelers favor budget options.