Nominations

🏢 Cécile Brugère-Tricault appointed as Directrice Générale Groupe and President of the Supervisory Board of Novaxia Investissement starting February 3, 2025. Joachim Azan remains President of Novaxia, focusing on long-term vision. The strategic move bolsters Novaxia's urban recycling platform and supports growth. Brugère-Tricault to drive operational strategy, targeting new markets and enhanced recycling offers. With 30 years in real estate and a CentraleSupélec background, she brings expertise from Bouygues Bâtiment and Axa Real Estate to the position.

🏤 Hendrik Huebner is appointed General Manager of the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, UK, with a service launch planned for July 5, 2025. He brings nearly two decades of experience, including leadership roles at Claridge’s, Hotel Café Royal, and Corinthia London. His mission is to build an international team and lay the foundation for the train's long-term success. Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains and Cruises at Belmond, expressed excitement for Hendrik leading the launch.

🏨 Mathilde Béziau has been appointed General Manager of the Grand Mazarin Paris, part of the Maisons Pariente collection, since its opening in 2023. She oversees hotel services including the Boubalé restaurant, and operations of 47 rooms and 14 suites. Béziau's career includes experience at luxury hotels such as Hôtel L’Hermitage La Baule and Palace Byblos on the Riviera. Her focus includes team management, technological innovations, and corporate social responsibility, aligning with Maisons Pariente's philosophy.

📅 Eventiz, a key player in French-speaking tourism media and events, announced a leadership reorganization with Guillaume Poulain becoming the new General Manager. Poulain, who has been the editorial director since 2018, is tasked with guiding the team and implementing Eventiz's global strategy. Arnaud Gloannec, Vice President of Operations, Charles Vanhoutte, Vice President of Sales, and Julie Clerget, Vice President of Event Creation and Production, join the leadership team. Eventiz, which includes media brands like L'Echo touristique, DeplacementsPros.com, and TOM.travel, as well as key events like Travel d'Or and Innovation Trophies, aims to accelerate development with innovative offers in partnership with Travelsoft. The restructured team aspires to solidify Eventiz's position as a major player in the tourism industry by prioritizing innovation and expertise.

🏡 Emmanuel Sauvage, 42, with a BTS in hospitality management, began his career as head receptionist and became a director at 23 within Les Hôtels de Paris group. In 2010, he managed the opening of the 5-star Burgundy in Paris. By 2014, he co-founded Evok Hôtels Collection with Romain Yzerman and investor Pierre Bastid, now comprising five lifestyle destinations. Sauvage leads the Prestige commission for the GHR union. Despite the luxury sector's resilience, it's experiencing a slowdown, partly due to the past year's economic issues, affecting not only the ultra-wealthy but a broader clientele.

🏦 Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna named Jurgen Ammerstorfer as General Manager effective January 7, 2025. Ammerstorfer, with over 30 years in the travel and hospitality industry, will oversee the hotel's extensive renovations, including new dining and bar offerings and the introduction of Anantara Spa. Previously, he managed the Ritz Carlton in Vienna from 2020 to 2024 and has worked with luxury hotel companies across Europe, the US, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

🏨 Kempinski Hotels, led by CEO Barbara Muckermann, restructures its governance, welcoming Gordon Drake as CFO and Rasha Lababidi as CPO. The luxury hotelier, with a 127-year history, aims to accelerate development and consolidate its prestigious position. Drake brings over 30 years of global experience in corporate capital markets, asset management, risk management, and strategic financial planning to drive profitability and growth.

🏕 Céline and Philippe Bossanne's nature camping group acquires a 34% stake in Philippe Vaurs and Christophe Sauvage's Elégancia hotel group. Elégancia manages Hoscar café-hotels, with its flagship in Versailles since last year. Elégancia founders witnessed Hoscar de Versailles' opening in May. Huttopia, known for French glamping, expanded to Canada, the USA, the Netherlands, and China, and introduced café-hôtels post-lockdown for village revitalization.

🍽 La Réserve Paris celebrates a decade of excellence, announcing Chef Jérôme Banctel as Ambassador of Château Cos d'Estournel. Michel Reybier and 3-star chef Banctel are pleased with this new role that extends Banctel's responsibilities since the inauguration of La Réserve Paris. The partnership honors the success and synergy between Reybier and Banctel, emphasizing values of excellence and refinement shared by La Réserve Paris and the emblematic Château of Saint-Estèphe. Banctel expresses gratitude for Reybier's trust since the hotel's opening.

📍 Harry Theoharis announced his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization during FITUR 2025. His campaign slogan "reform to transform, unite to grow" reflects his plan for organizational and technological transformation. The African Office of Tourism supports his bid. Theoharis aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency within UNWTO.