Top News

📈 50% of French hoteliers anticipate business growth in the next six months, with 49% maintaining current investment levels. 41% cite skill shortages as a recruitment barrier. 51% see a lack of technical expertise hindering AI adoption, while 56% and 53% face cost and complexity issues, respectively, with new technologies. Booking.com's 2025 Barometer surveyed 1,160 European tourism leaders, highlighting recruitment and digital adoption challenges, especially for independent accommodations, ahead of the 2025 peak season.

📄 Le Groupement des Hôtelleries & Restaurations de France (GHR) acknowledges the DGCCRF's directive for Booking.com to revise their Terms of Service by December 31, 2025, aligning with EU P2B regulations and French commercial law. This action addresses unfair contractual terms affecting French hoteliers' commercial freedom. The directive underscores Booking.com's obligations for transparency and clarity. The GHR's persistent collaborative efforts with industry professionals spotlighted these issues, prompting the DGCCRF's involvement.

🏨 SCPI Novaxia NEO acquires the VTZ El Príncipe, a 3-star hotel in Zaragoza, Spain, expanding its real estate allocation in the country to 8%. The hotel, operated by Grupo VTZ Alojamientos, covers 2,696 m², with 45 rooms and a 90% occupancy rate. It holds a 10-year lease offering a 7.57% yield. This acquisition is part of Novaxia's geographic and sectoral diversification strategy, enhancing its portfolio with a high-yield asset.

🏨 Chris Lawson of IPORT highlights the outdated tech challenges in hotel F&B services, emphasizing the need for modern, connected tools to enhance staff efficiency and customer satisfaction. Key steps include phased tech upgrades, integration of F&B with hotel systems, and leveraging data for personalized services. The focus is on empowering staff, not replacing them, by automating repetitive tasks and fostering authentic customer interactions. Hyper-personalization and AI-driven insights are crucial for future enhancements in hospitality.

💰 Olimpe Technology, founded in 2015 in La Rochelle, raised €1 million from Newfund and Impactivist in 2025. This CleanTech company specializes in chemical-free water disinfection, serving sectors like tourism and healthcare. Their patented electrolysis technology boosts RSE by reducing carbon footprint and water consumption. Olimpe aims to expand in a €50 billion market of industrial cleaning chemicals, which grows at 5% annually, benefiting from low costs and regulatory compliance.

📦 En juin, Ant International introduced Alipay+ Voyager, an AI travel assistant, to 800 million Alipay users. This platform collaborates with Trip.com, Fliggy, and Agoda, targeting Asian markets. Alipay+ Voyager integrates more than 30 mobile payment apps, expanding reach in China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Zhang Chen, VP of Fliggy, emphasizes improving user interaction and maintaining brand visibility by offering high-quality services amidst competitors. The initiative marks a shift in travel distribution, focusing on quality and customer experience.

C’est dans l’atmosphère confidentielle et chaleureuse de la Casa YOUM, adresse intimiste marseillaise, que se sont retrouvés les membres de la prestigieuse association Les Clefs d’Or France, pour une réunion…

💵 Evergreen, a Taiwanese conglomerate, sold 100% of its Evergreen Laurel Paris Levallois hotel shares in Levallois-Perret, a 338-room hotel with 17 suites and 700 m² of event space, to Spanish Barceló Hotels. This transaction highlights Evergreen's strategic refocus and Barceló's entry into France, operating under Occidental Hotels & Resorts. The move aligns with Barceló’s international expansion plans, targeting European capitals. The hotel can accommodate up to 400 people.

💻 YUST in Antwerp, Belgium, implemented a digital key system, used by 12% of guests in its first month. Of those offered mobile keys, 64% accessed rooms digitally, showcasing swift adoption. The system reduces reliance on physical keys, streamlines operations, and enhances guest satisfaction. Hotelier benefits include less manual reception work and improved security. Mews CEO Matt Welle calls it a win-win for efficiency and satisfaction. YUST's Dirk Van Gompel highlights the time-saving aspect for staff.