Conférences et Salons

🏘 WiT Africa, initially launched as a virtual event in 2021 to bridge Africa and Asia, held a physical event in partnership with Innovation City and Travelstart in 2024. The conference, aimed at highlighting travel tech innovations and trends, convened in Cape Town at Innovation City. The 2024 event included a WiT Bootcamp on March 14 to support startups and micro-enterprises. Africa's population is projected to reach 1.72 billion by 2023 with 477 million youths aged 15-35.

💸 In France, retail sales (excluding automobiles) rose by 3.3% from November 1 to December 24, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Notable sectors that experienced growth were electronics at 4.1%, clothing at 3.2%, and jewelry and accessories at 3.4%. The strongest growth was in restaurant spending, which increased by 6%, and food-related goods, up by 3.1%. The Mastercard SpendingPulse report indicates healthy consumer spending during the holiday season.

🏦 Private Luxury Events will host Ultra 2025 at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai from January 26-30, 2025. The exclusive, invite-only event gears to redefine the future of ultra-luxurious experiences with industry visionaries discussing trends like generational wealth transfer, experience-driven luxury, and innovative responses to emerging markets.

🎭 The inaugural Artisans d’Excellence salon held from November 7-9 at the Hôtel des Italiens was a resounding success with over 3,200 visitors, including 2,600 influential professionals from interior design, decoration, and luxury sectors. The event showcased rare quality craftsmanship and received substantial media coverage across various fields such as design, art, decoration, culture, and luxury.

📰 In Marseille, from November 15-17, the Tourist Office hosted the General Assembly of the Association of Tourism Journalists, gathering 80 members. The 2024 event highlighted the city's tourist attractions and included a day of excursions showcasing Marseille's nature, outdoor sports, gastronomy, architecture, heritage, and sustainable tourism. The aim was to inspire journalists to write about Marseille's winter tourism and unique locations.

🏂 Odalys Vacances, with over 60 residences and hotels plus 45 chalets in 40 ski resorts, collaborates with Discurv to understand the 18-35-year-old demographic's inclination for mountain destinations. A 1,000-person survey revealed: 1/3 are regulars, 1/3 are averse, and 1/3 are ambivalent about winter mountain vacations; over 80% were introduced to mountain culture in childhood; and 2/3 of young adults favor short stays.

🏨 Over 400 EMEA clients across Corporate, Leisure, Airline, Group, Meetings & Events, and Luxury segments gathered at Munich Marriott Hotel City West from November 25-27 for Marriott International's annual client event. The three-day event featured individual appointments, networking sessions, Marriott Bonvoy brand activations, leadership forums, and roundtable discussions with Marriott International executives. Additionally, over 125 hoteliers worldwide attended to showcase their properties to the clients.

🏨 Brit Hotel launches a new advertising campaign in the Paris metro to coincide with its participation in EquipHotel 2024, occurring from November 3-7 in Paris. The campaign aims to increase brand recognition among the millions of daily metro commuters and highlight the growing number of Brit Hotel establishments in France. The initiative reflects the hotel chain's commitment to expanding its market presence and attracting new customers by leveraging one of the country's busiest transportation networks.

🍴 The Festival de la Gastronomie Tarnaise in Albi celebrates the 50th anniversary of Cuisineries Françaises and Artisans du Goût on December 1st, 2024. The event at Salle de Pratgraussals showcases Tarnaise culinary heritage, emphasizing homemade and artisanal food traditions. It reflects a commitment to quality, authenticity, and skilled craftsmanship, connecting local producers, restaurateurs, chefs, and food artisans with consumers and rural communities.

🍽 Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai will host the largest Best Chef Awards gala on November 6, marking the beginning of Atlantis Dubai's annual gastronomy month. The event will feature culinary personalities worldwide, with renowned chefs like Grégoire Berger of two Michelin-starred Ossiano, rising talents like executive pastry chef Christophe Devoille of Atlantis, The Royal, and regional chefs like Arianna Bundy of Ariana’s Persian Kitchen.