Top News

📅 First vacations of 2025 used to optimize post-stay messages, increasing repeat purchases and average spending of returning clients. Messages sent a few hours or days (average 2 max) post-departure, include personalization, invitations to write reviews, and offer discounts for future bookings. According to Harvard Business Review, repeat bookings cost 5 to 25 times less than acquiring new ones. Post-stay messages can increase future service consumption by 20-30% and enhance customer relationships.

📄 Le décret du 12 février dernier réforme la procédure des saisies-rémunérations, qui prendra effet à partir du 1er juillet 2025. La réforme supprime l'autorisation judiciaire préalable et transfère la mise en œuvre de la procédure aux commissaires de justice. En cas de non-respect des délais d'information, l'employeur peut être condamné à une amende civile de jusqu'à 10 000€. Les requêtes en saisie des rémunérations introduites avant le 1er juillet 2025 seront jugées selon les anciennes dispositions. Un registre numérique des saisies des rémunérations sera introduit, en attente de l'avis de la CNIL et d'un décret d'application.

🏢 Sébastien Bazin renewed as Accor's chairman for three years after presenting strong 2024 results and 2025 priorities. The renewal reflects confidence in Bazin following post-COVID growth in gross margin, net profit, and royalty value. His focus: enhancing operational performance, accelerating expansion in Latin America, China, India, and the Middle East, and finalizing the sale of Accor's 31% stake in AccorInvest within 12-18 months, overseen by Jean-Jacques Morin.

💐 Fontenille Collection, in collaboration with Digitasty and perfumer Thomas Fontaine, unveils a rebranding that emphasizes timeless, poetic visions deeply rooted in nature, influenced by classical hospitality and vintage aesthetics. The brand's visual signature features a titmouse and a key, symbolizing harmony with nature and refined hospitality, respectively. A unique scent, The Hours, will be released as candles and home fragrances in spring 2025. Fontenille enhances guest experiences with bespoke family offerings and pet-friendly amenities. A digital transformation includes a new website launching in September 2025 for immersive booking experiences.

🌟 In 2024, Switzerland's hotel overnight stays increased by 2.6% to 42.8 million, with foreign visitors up by 5.1% at 22 million stays. Zurich (+4.9%) and Geneva (+6.6%) led growth, benefiting from business tourism and conferences. Swiss clientele remained stable at 20.9 million stays (+0.1%). Room occupancy rate slightly rose to 55.1%. Despite high U.S. inflation, American demand stayed strong, aided by a strong dollar.

🥂 Vanguélis Panayotis interviews François Van Aal, President of Champagnes Lanson, discussing the brand's strategy and hospitality roots. Lanson, founded in 1760, combines three centuries of heritage with a modern approach. Operating in over 80 countries and accounting for 85% of shipments, Lanson launched a "reconquest plan" in 2020, revamping marketing, communication, packaging, and distributor relations. Head winemaker since 2013, Hervé Dantan, introduced Black Réserve, a blend aged five years, featuring 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier.

💰 Accor's Board of Directors unanimously plans to renew Sébastien Bazin's term as Chairman and CEO ahead of schedule—originally set to end in 2026, now proposed for an additional three-year term, pending shareholder approval at the general meeting on May 28. The decision, tied to the strategic importance of Accor's 2027 goals, reflects the Board's confidence in the current leadership and a desire for continuity as Accor expands globally. Bazin has been leading Accor since 2013.

💙 In Montpellier, dubbed the capital of love and friendship, businesses saw a +73.2% increase in volume and +64.9% in activity for Valentine's Day 2025. Saint-Galentin celebrations resulted in a +137.2% and +57.2% boost. Hotels surged with a +212.9% in business for Saint-Galentin and +164.8% for Valentine's Day, compared to 2024. Overall, the Valentine's period brought a +46.7% jump in business volume and +39.5% in activity from the previous year. Fintech SumUp analyzed transactions on February 13 and 14, 2025, highlighting the economic impact of love and friendship celebrations.

📌 On March 4, 2025, from 11:00 to 12:00, Bruno Lanvin, Director of the 4-star Hôtel Les Artistes in Paris Montparnasse, will share best practices for optimizing operations and customer experience using CRM, AI, and a task management tool during the "Webinaire Paroles d'Hôtelier". The webinar will discuss personalizing the customer experience, content creation, and streamlining internal communication. Registration is available even for those unable to attend, with a recording provided post-event.

🍴 In Paris, Coya restaurant, part of the Turkish group D.ream and specializing in Peruvian cuisine, suddenly closed, leaving 30 employees jobless—down from 75 at its opening. Opened in 2019 in the Beaupassage district, the 300-seat venue known for its festive atmosphere shut down without notice during a staff meeting. Closure reasons included neighborhood issues, high rent, and decreased weekday patronage. Coya Global, with about a dozen restaurants worldwide, plans to focus on the Côte d’Azur. The business was unsuccessfully offered to investors by D.ream's CEO, Frenchman Jean-François Casanova.