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💳 Since January 1, 2025, SNCF no longer accepts physical Chèques-Vacances. Chèque-Vacances Connect is a 100% digital payment solution offered by ANCV, allowing tourism and leisure professionals to accept dematerialized payments online or in-person. The system provides simplified cashing, automatic refunds within five working days, and increased visibility for businesses. Integration into e-commerce sites requires membership in the Chèque-Vacances network, service activation within 24 hours, and technical implementation with payment intermediaries. For clients, payment involves selecting Chèque-Vacances Connect, validation through their app, and immediate payment confirmation.

🎊 French hotel industry celebrates a successful holiday season in 2024, with a 9.2% increase in RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) compared to the previous year, indicating a strong overall momentum. Choice varied between mountain resorts for skiing and cities like Paris. The period significantly impacted the annual performance, despite disparities among different segments and destinations. Hospitality ON provided the data, analyzed by MKG Consulting.

❄ Vacances de Noël in the Région Sud, France, from December 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025, saw tourist numbers rise by +4% for French non-regional visitors and +9% for international guests compared to the previous year. The Alpes du Sud experienced over 80% accommodation occupancy, a +3% increase from last year, with occupancy spiking over 90% during New Year's week. The Hautes-Alpes welcomed over 500,000 tourists. The region is prepping for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2030.

🏆 In the first quarter of 2024, over 285 million tourists traveled globally. Accor's travel trend report reveals 53% of Europeans plan to increase their travel budgets, focusing on well-being, sports, culture, and ecology for 2025. ALL.com, Accor's reservation platform and loyalty program, aims to anticipate trends to design unique experiences. The Paris 2024 Olympics boosted summer 2024 tourism, with 25% of ALL members attending an event, rising to over a third among 18-34-year-olds.

🏕 Flower Campings, premier réseau de campings indépendants, a augmenté son chiffre d'affaires de 5% en 2024 par rapport à 2023. En 2025, les réservations ont grimpé de +10%. Ils ont connu un début de saison 2024 timide mais ont observé une hausse des nuitées réservées, avec 50% des réservations pour des emplacements nus. La satisfaction client a atteint une note de 8.9/10, et le programme de fidélité a vu une augmentation de +19% des inscrits.

🏨 B&B HOTELS expands in France with four new openings in Serris, Aurillac, Lisieux, and Onnaing by 2024, increasing its French network to over 430 establishments. The group maintains its "best value-for-money" commitment, combining warmth and affordability, while offering modern standards, digital services including e-conciergerie and a 24/7 access code, as well as a loyalty program "B&me". Travelers can enjoy a generous "made in France" breakfast option.

💡 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.