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🏡 Airbnb, operating in over 29,000 French cities, launches a data portal for towns to access reliable information aiding in tourism and housing challenges. The portal provides aggregated data on host activity and local trends, including the number of overnight stays, economic impact, and types of accommodations. The initiative follows feedback from collaborating local officials and will see regular updates.

💳 On November 14, 2024, the European Commission designated Booking.com as a "gatekeeper" under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing hotels to offer better rates on their own websites. Booking will eliminate parity rate clauses, grant real-time data access to hotels, and prevent abuse of dominant position, with potential fines up to 10% or 20% of global turnover for violations. This change ends rate parity obligations throughout Europe, promoting direct booking strategies, potentially reducing prices for travelers, and levelling the playing field for competing platforms.

🎧 Charentes Tourisme launches its first podcast series, "Les Pieds dans le Plat," featuring seven episodes discussing the tourism sector's challenges, including environmental, societal, and technological transitions. Available on multiple platforms and the Charentes Tourisme website, the podcasts cover topics like GenZ, AI, eco-event planning, and sustainable tourism. A second season is anticipated for 2025, with new episodes until the end of November.

🏨 Arthur Jaeger confirmed to join Adagio in June 2024, bringing expertise from his career at Bouygues Construction and success in expanding CycasHospitality's French subsidiary and launching sites across Southern Europe. At Adagio, he will implement the "Next Adagio" strategic plan aiming to double the network by 2030, incorporating CSR and managing an "asset light" development plan.

🏖️ On November 14, the CRT Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur gathered over 400 tourism professionals at Château la Roque Foucade in Peypin. The region's tourism increased by 3% in 2023, with a 4% rise in international visitors. Seasonal adjustments over a decade show a 7% growth in annual visits, with a 13% increase in winter, and 10% in spring and autumn. Bookings for the end of the year and winter season in the Alps are up by 1%. 2024 is anticipated to set a new benchmark for the regional tourism industry.

💸 Kantar's yearly study reveals that "GenZ" travelers abandon bookings due to reservation system issues 70% of the time, while "baby-boomers" do so at 28%. Millenials (28-43 years) show less tolerance at 61%, compared to "GenX" (44-59 years) at 47%, and "Radio Babies" (79-96 years) at just 13%. Security concerns lead abandonment reasons (22%), followed by payment issues (19%), and slow loading times (16%). Booking a "standard" room is the initial choice for 46% of travelers, 33% consider an upgrade, 14% a "Deluxe" room, 4% an "Executive", and 3% a suite. Loyalty trends show an increase to 24% from 15% two years ago. Top extras include breakfast (47%), room descriptions and sizes (30%), preferred views (28%), and late checkouts or early check-ins (24%). However, 13% of travelers are against paying for extras. In terms of pricing, 65% accept peak period rate adjustments, with French travelers being more tolerant at 58%. Lastly, 37% of French travelers cite "value for money" as the main reason for hotel return visits.

📣 Trustpilot, founded in 2007, and Skeepers (formerly eKomi), since 2008, are leading customer review platforms enhancing e-reputation. Trustpilot boasts millions of global reviews, using automated and manual moderation. Skeepers focuses on authenticity with strict manual review checks. Both offer user-friendly interfaces, robust integrations with CRM and e-commerce platforms, and mobile optimization. Trustpilot provides a free plan for basic features, whereas Skeepers has a modular pricing structure without a free tier. Trustpilot's services are accessible through email, phone, and live chat, while Skeepers offers email and phone support with dedicated integration assistance. Trustpilot has an extensive knowledge base and active community forums, while Skeepers provides detailed guides and informative blogs.

🏨 Sébastien de Courtivron of Covivio, alongside Accor's Damien Perrot and others, discussed the renovation of an Accor hotel acquired in 2005. In 2022, Covivio reclaimed commerce rights from AccorInvest, transforming 1000m2 seminar space into 12 family rooms. Integrated with WiZiU platform, the hotel's average price increased from €94 in 2019 to an expected €137, targeting €150. Energy consumption was addressed by electrifying systems and installing heat pumps, minimizing waste during renovation.

🏨 Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ghent on the outskirts of Ghent, Belgium. The hotel offers 126 rooms, including suites with separate living areas and kitchenettes, a fitness center, underground parking with electric vehicle charging stations, and a meeting room for up to 10 people. This marks Aimbridge's 10th property in the Benelux region, replacing the former Holiday Inn Express Ghent. David Anderson, division president at Aimbridge EMEA, highlights the hotel as an ideal base for business and leisure travelers. Aimbridge EMEA manages a portfolio across over 20 countries and more than 80 global brands.

🏛 Jeudi 28 novembre, l'Apéro des hôteliers à Maison Albar - Le Victoria, Nice, offre un espace d'échange pour les professionnels du secteur. L'événement gratuit met en avant des panels et des discussions sur l'innovation. Partenaires comme 1Check, Mews, Duetto, et SiteMinder seront présents. Les participants découvriront des stratégies pour améliorer l'expérience client, augmenter les revenus et optimiser les opérations. Les inscriptions sont ouvertes pour garantir une place limitée.