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🏡 In 2024, Gîtes de France® saw 27.2 million overnight stays, a 3% increase from 2023, and maintained a stable occupancy rate of 47%. Revenue from tourist tax contributed to French communities increased to €25.5 million, up from €24.3 million the previous year. Average stay durations remained the same as in 2023, with rural cottages at 8 nights, while the average basket of vacationers grew, indicating an upmarket shift, with rural cottages averaging €733 per stay.

🏃 On February 12, 2025, French hospitality sector unions opposed the merger of Atout France and Business France, arguing the move threatens the partnership-based governance model of French tourism. Atout France, a Groupement d’Intérêt Économique (GIE), gets €30 million annually from its members, a public-private funding crucial for tourism promotion. Atout France focuses solely on tourism development and promotion, with domestic tourists accounting for 70% of the tourism GDP in 2023, unlike Business France's mission for international business support.

💾 A 2021 study analyzing over 1.5 million data points from 14,000 German hotels indicated digital adoption in Germany's hospitality industry is below average. Digital trends such as automation, direct bookings, and artificial intelligence can streamline operations and increase efficiency. HiJiffy's platform automates routine tasks, leading to over 90% guest satisfaction at Hotel Sacher. The hospitality industry's future includes balancing automation with personal service and driving sustainability through digital processes. Implementing digital solutions is crucial for hotels to meet modern traveler expectations and remain competitive.

📈 During a French government-organized AI summit on February 11, experts discussed AI's impact on businesses, ethical concerns, and governance. Anne-Charlotte Philbert from Eurazeo emphasized AI's importance in the 21st century, noting Cognigy automated 70% of Lufthansa's customer support. Jonas Andrulis of Aleph Alpha critiqued the profitability of large language models (LLMs), while Sage CTO Aaron Harris highlighted AI in reducing invoice processing time by two-thirds. Yann Lechelle of Probabl advocated for open-source tech, and Signal's Meredith Whittaker warned about data security and privacy risks.

🏨 Scandic Hotels to expand in Berlin with a new 214-room hotel, opening Q3 2026. The company signed a lease with AXA Investment Managers, adding to its existing Berlin portfolio for a total of 992 rooms across three properties. Renovations will align the hotel with Scandic's brand and standards, featuring modern meeting spaces, restaurant, bar, fitness center, sauna, and receiving the Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification for sustainability. Located near Kurfürstendamm and accessible via public transport, the hotel caters to various travelers, bolstered by Berlin's year-round events.

🏡 IHG Hotels & Resorts launches Vignette Collection in France, partnering with Global Hotels & Resorts (GHR). Including two hotels, Tiara Miramar and Tiara Yaktsa in Théoule sur Mer, Côte d'Azur, the brand will open in 2026. Vignette Collection, supporting luxury and lifestyle hotels, has over 50 properties signed and in development globally. In three years, IHG reached half its 10-year goal of 100 Vignette Collection hotels. This move aligns with IHG's European luxury expansion and market prioritization, including France.

💰 Exoticca secured an additional €25 million from BBVA Spark, completing a Series D funding round initiated in July 2024 with €60 million. The total funds raised amount to €85 million, to be used for expanding into the North American market, where it already makes over 75% of its revenue, and for integrating AI into its solutions to enhance connectivity and streamline online travel booking experiences.

🏢 MIPIM 2025 will take place in Cannes from March 11 to 14, with over 20,500 participants, one-third investors, 2,500 exhibiting companies, and 300 stands. The international event features participants from 90 countries and professionals managing over €4 trillion in assets. Hotel booking trends in the region are being observed as the event approaches.

🎭 Futuroscope launched its 38th season, marking the culmination of the "Vision 2025" program which saw over €300 million invested over five years. The park surpassed 2 million visitors in 2024 and introduced several award-winning attractions, such as "Chasseurs de Tornades" (2023's Best Attraction worldwide), two themed hotels (Station Cosmos, Ecolodge), and a new water park (Aquascope). "Mission Bermudes," an aquatic thrill ride, is set to open in June 2025, aligning with the park's 20th anniversary of the sensory journey "Les Yeux Grands Fermés.

🏨 The 30th Hospitality Operator Forum will take place on June 12 at the InterContinental Paris le Grand, focusing on industry adaptation and artificial intelligence integration. Federico González Tejera, CEO of Louvre Hotels Group with experience at NH Hotel Group and Radisson Hotel Group, is working on revitalizing the company. JOST, an innovative hotel brand, combines dynamic social spaces with flexible accommodations, featuring bars, restaurants, and event spaces, and is experiencing strong expansion.