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💡 EcoFlow, a Chinese startup, showcased a solar hat at CES Las Vegas that protects from the sun and charges phone batteries using integrated solar panels. The solar hat, named "Power Hat," takes 3-4 hours to charge a phone and features USB outputs for recharging. It’s dustproof and water-jet resistant, priced at 99 euros, catering to travelers and hikers wanting to avoid battery issues.

🍴 Patrick O’Sullivan, with over 15 years of experience, is now the Executive Chef at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. Previously, he was Executive Chef at Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco for nearly four years, and prior to that, held the role of Executive Sous Chef for two years before becoming the head chef in 2021. His career includes various positions at prestigious establishments in London and the United States.

🏖 Alexandra Borchio Fontimp unanimously re-elected president of Côte d’Azur France Tourisme in January 2025 after a successful first term. During her tenure, a record 11.5 million visitors were recorded in 2024, with increased overnight stays. Initiatives included promoting sustainable tourism and local expertise via #CotedAzurFrance, leveraging events like the 2024 Olympics, and digital communication strategies. Focus for 2025 includes targeting key markets like the US, Scandinavia, and China, and emphasizing sustainable and cultural tourism activities.

🏨 B&B HOTELS expanding in France with four new hotels opening in 2024 at Serris, Aurillac, Lisieux, and Onnaing, bolstering its French network to over 430 properties. Offerings include digital services like e-concierge, 24/7 access via entry code, a loyalty program "B&me", and breakfast with "made in France" products. Locations: Marne-la-Vallée Val d'Europe in Serris, Aurillac Le Lioran, Lisieux Parc des Expositions, Valenciennes Onnaing.

🏡 Château d’Isenbourg in Rouffach hosts vide-château sale on January 18, 2025, starting at 9am; offers second-hand furniture, decorations, flat-screen TVs, and more before closing for renovations on January 5, 2025. Reopening slated for 2027. Items for hospitality professionals also available, including mattresses, duvets, safes, and minibars.

🏖️ By January 13, 2025, the Paris Tourist Office will no longer have any physical reception centers. Director since 2018, Corinne Menegaux aims to reinvent visitor reception by improving territorial coverage and accelerating digital transition due to changing traveler behavior and budget constraints. The office plans to develop a network of labeled partners including 50 information points across Paris, integrating hotels and post offices, and boost digital tools with a focus on mobile apps, personalized recommendations, and local expertise.

📈 HBX's "Travel Trends 2025" study reveals that consumers are willing to spend 67% more for a product if it offers a better shopping experience. The trend of hyper-personalization in travel, emphasized by Salesloft's Rebby John at MarketHub 2024, is driven by advancements in AI. The study highlights the importance of tailored advertising campaigns even before the purchase phase. Despite AI's role in creating dynamic ads, 90% of Europeans find AI-based product recommendations unhelpful, according to Statista. Personalization extends beyond marketing, with 92% of consumers in a November 2024 Statista survey willing to exchange personal data for discounts or coupons.

📸 TUI introduces Lena, an AI-powered content creator, to inspire customers and provide travel information. Lena was chosen by a 2,000-person panel from 5 TUI-presented profiles. Available in Belgium and the Netherlands, she's not intended to replace "physical ambassadors of TUI." Piet Demeyere, Head of External Communication TUI Belgium, shares Lena's dedicated role in brand promotion, a move unique to the Belgian and Dutch subsidiaries but open for other markets to adopt. Lena independently generates content based on assigned destinations and offers.

📌 In 2025, hybrid work remains a crucial model for millions of employees, prioritizing flexibility and productivity. IWG, the leader in flexible workspaces, reveals 10 trends shaping the future of work. Studies show 73% of employees from major companies like Amazon consider quitting due to "Return-to-Office" (RTO) policies, and 67% of recruiters note an increase in candidates leaving firms with mandatory 5-day office presence. ????

🏃 Paul Pécriaux, director of the event agency Lemon Grass Events for 18 years, passionate about sports, having competed in numerous triathlons and Ironman events, organizes corporate sports events. One such event is "10 Km des étoiles," a race for hotel and restaurant professionals, emphasizing team cohesion and productivity. Join the 7th edition on March 23, 2025, which is also open to individuals.