Juridique et Administratif

📸 TikTok's Symphony Creative Studio, launched November, turns websites into ads using Getty Images. Google's AI integrates with Performance Max campaigns for automatic video creation, while Amazon animates product listings. These AI-driven tools aim to reduce creative barriers for SMEs with limited marketing budgets. Personalized advertising through AI analyzes behavioral data, offering tailored content in real-time. However, the use of generative AI in marketing, especially in the authenticity-centric tourism industry, raises legal and ethical concerns, including potential deceptive practices and copyright issues. The EU's AI Act requires indicating AI-generated content, highlighting transparency as a crucial factor for future advertising in tourism.

🚧 En Italie, une mesure votée le 18 novembre interdit l'utilisation de "boîtes à clés" pour les locations saisonnières, applicable à tous les types d'hébergements touristiques à court terme. La raison inclut la sécurité publique, le contrôle d'identité, la lutte contre la prolifération des locations à court terme, et la préparation aux événements majeurs comme le Jubilé 2025 à Rome. Les voyageurs et propriétaires doivent désormais se rencontrer physiquement, les propriétaires vérifiant l'identité des invités, avec transmission obligatoire des informations personnelles des voyageurs aux autorités dans les 24 heures. Des actions symboliques de protestation ont eu lieu à Rome, avec une augmentation de locations sur Airbnb de 17 000 à 35 000 en trois ans. Marseille a imposé un délai de 15 jours pour le démontage des boîtes à clés en octobre, après une augmentation de 45% de locations saisonnières l'été précédent.

💸 The French Government BARNIER's censorship invalidated the PLFSS 2025, suspending measures impacting social charges exemption and healthcare reimbursement. Amendments to the PLF 2025, including the GHR-supported tip exemption prolongation, are halted awaiting parliamentary debates. No guarantee exists for the exemption's extension beyond December 31, 2024, caution advised. GHR is advocating for the exemption's permanence.

📈 The new minimum wage rates in the hotel, cafés, and restaurants (HCR) sector have been effective since December 1, 2024. The Department of Social Affairs at GHR updated important tools regarding the National Collective Agreement of the HCR, including remuneration tables for employee classifications and apprentices. These tools are accessible in the member area.

💰 The CFTC acknowledges the adoption of a motion of censure following the use of Article 49.3 of the French Constitution by Michel Barnier. The union warns of potential chronic political instability affecting the nation's interest. Businesses, public services, and associations fear this instability, leading to delayed investments, HR departments suspending hiring, and households cutting spending in favor of saving. These isolated legitimate actions have detrimental economic and social effects on growth and employment.

📙 EU Travel Tech, representing online tourism platforms like Booking, Expedia, and Airbnb, calls out Google's anti-competitive practices to the European Commission. General Secretary Emmanuel Mounier urges President Ursula von der Leyen for strict enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), adopted two years ago, to ensure fair competition. Seven months into the DMA non-compliance investigation, the Commission has yet to issue preliminary findings. EU Travel Tech demands swift action, noting Google's diversion tactics with recent "blue links" tests in Germany, Belgium, and Estonia, stressing the necessity for resources to enforce DMA effectively.

💰 A new fraud method using stolen credit cards for bookings on Booking.com has emerged. The scam involves non-refundable reservations by a French client with an African surname, claiming late arrival, leading to less scrutiny at check-in. Payment is initially accepted, but hotels face losses when a chargeback is issued after the guest's departure. To prevent fraud, hotels are advised to systematically check credit cards at check-in, train staff, especially night receptionists, and enforce strict policies denying room access if the card cannot be presented. For assistance, call GHR at 01 42 96 60 75.

💸 In 2022, auto-entrepreneurs make up about 62% of independent workers in France. However, their economic stability is often fragile; 33% remain active five years post-registration, compared to 53% of classic entrepreneurs (Source: Insee). Out of the 3,366 active auto-entrepreneurs surveyed, 56% combine their activity with another employment status, predominantly salaried work (28%), while 16% are job seekers. Only 44% rely on their auto-entrepreneurship as their sole professional activity.

📱 After the Digital Markets Act (DMA) implementation within the EU, direct bookings in the hotel sector dropped by 0.8%, with Google Hotels losing 1.5% of its overall market share. Google is making adjustments to combat a 30% decrease in direct, free booking clicks by introducing new modules for users to choose between comparison sites and direct provider links, and launching "other innovative formats" to display more information such as prices and images. In Germany, Belgium, and Estonia, Google will test removing some debated features to comply with the DMA, despite concerns over user and business benefits.

🏠 Val d’Europe Agglomération's elected officials voted on a new regulation on December 14, 2023, to regulate short-term tourist furnished rentals. Starting June 1, 2024, individuals and some legal entities must declare rentals on declaloc.fr and obtain usage change authorization. A further measure on December 1, 2024, targets legal entities renting in Chessy and Serris in specific development zones. This aims to balance housing for residents and tourists, addressing local housing shortages and rising costs.