Divers

🌟 The AlUla Skies festival returns to AlUla from September 26 to October 5, 2024, featuring hot air balloon flights, drone shows, stargazing, concerts, and more. Organized by AlUla Moments and presented by Saudia Airlines, this ten-day event celebrates the breathtaking landscapes of AlUla both by day and night, with additional activities like star meditation and astrophotography sessions at Al Gharameel nature reserve and nocturnal hikes at Madakheel reserve.

🎶 Konpa, a Haitian cultural music and dance form born in the 1950s, thrives in Europe, especially Paris. There are four konpa styles: compas direk, konpa love, konpa twoubadou, and Gouyad. Key figures include Jean-Baptiste Nemours, Tabou Combo, Tropicana d'Haiti, Mikaben, Oswald, and Joé Dwet Filé. In 2023, a konpa and zouk cruise was organized on the Seine by Afro Caribbean Nation. Afro Caribbean Nation also offers konpa dance classes in Ile-de-France since 2019, attracting over 500 participants by January 2024, signifying growing interest across nationalities and backgrounds. Classes are open to all, from beginners to experienced dancers, and offer a social alternative to nightclubs.

📈 The SDI is vigilant about Michel Barnier's appointment as Prime Minister, focusing on the upcoming team and economic policy. A survey indicates 94% negative sentiments among independents and small business leaders regarding future economic and social policy. Main concerns include potential increases in mandatory levies (89%), strict budgetary policies (57%), substantial wage rises (79%), and inflation-indexing (45%). Consequently, 69% of investment and 52% of recruitment plans are currently halted or suspended.

🏖️ The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection introduced its second luxury superyacht, Ilma, with a 7-night inaugural journey from Monte-Carlo to Rome on September 2, 2024. Featuring lavish suites with private terraces, Michelin-starred cuisine, and a high guest-staff ratio, the yacht underscores the company's commitment to unparalleled comfort and bespoke voyages at sea.

🏨 Sylvain Ferlat, après 20 ans à la tête du Best Western Continental, annonce la fermeture de l'hôtel pour le 10 novembre 2024. Le bâtiment, vendu il y a un an au promoteur CIR, sera transformé en résidence après rénovation. Suite au décès du propriétaire Jean Touyarot, un vide-hôtel commencera le 21 novembre.

🎫 L'Aventure Michelin, a site dedicated to Michelin Group in Clermont-Ferrand, founded in January 2009, saw over 37,000 visitors in summer 2024 and set a daily record on August 14 with 2,126 visitors. The gift shop sold over 30,000 souvenirs. A new guided tour introduced this season was a hit. In 2024, the tourist site experienced its best start since opening, following a record year in 2023 with a 19% increase in visitors since late May and 5,500 visitors over the Ascension weekend. 10% of visitors were foreigners from Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Spain, while French clientele was mainly from Isère, excluding Puy-de-Dôme.

🗓 On May 16, 2021, Guest Suite shared best practices on M6's "Capital" show, hosted by Julien Courbet. Clément Poupeau, Guest Suite's Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, joined by STORY France's director Xavier Rondeau, discussed the significance of Review Management across STORY's 45 stores.

🏝 For the first time in 5 years, the Arènes de Nîmes will be open to the public free of charge during the European Heritage Days on September 21 and 22, 2024. Managed by Edeis, the Roman monument offers a diverse program, including self-guided tours, costumed guide-led tours, and theme-based explorations. Edeis also manages two other Roman sites, the Maison Carrée and the Tour Magne, which will be accessible for free.

🏥 Elie Bruyninckx began his career at TUI in September 2000 with Belgian tour operator Jetair. In May 2003, he initiated a hybrid tour operator model, blending package travels with flight-only sales. Later that year, he founded Belgian airline Jetairfly. As of 2015, Bruyninckx is a member of the executive committee and CEO of TUI's Western region, overseeing the Dutch, Belgian, and French markets. CEO Sebastian Ebel acknowledged Bruyninckx's key role in TUI's success in these regions.

🏁 Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's travel program, offers a VIP stay for the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix in December 2024 through a partnership with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1. Members can win a weekend package including a meeting with Lewis Hamilton, VIP access on December 7-8, team merchandise, a three-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi from December 6-9, a Club Deluxe room upgrade, gourmet dining, airport transfers, and cultural experiences. Registration for the "Marriott Bonvoy Sweepstakes: Experience Legendary in Abu Dhabi" is now open for eligible participants.