Top News

🌎 John Wagner joins Zeal Hotels to support the development of their carbon-zero emission brand and promote ESG collaboration in the hospitality industry. Zeal Hotel aims to surpass the 2050 energy efficiency goal by producing more energy than it consumes. Wagner, with over 40 years in the industry, has been a cofounder and CEO at Cycas Hospitality and a VP at IHG, with experience in the US, Paris, Prague, London, and Amsterdam. He emphasizes the sector's potential to make a real difference in combating climate change.

🏠 Summer 2024 saw a 2% increase in mountain resort occupancy rates in France compared to 2023, as reported by ANMSM. July's occupancy decreased by 4%, while August showed significant improvement, with rates reaching 74% from August 3-9, and even 81% from August 10-16. A temperate climate and a 7.5% rise in peer-to-peer rentals contributed to these numbers. The Alps of the South and the Pyrenees observed a +5% and +8% increase respectively. ANMSM President Jean-Luc Boch cites nature, spaciousness, and a range of activities for attracting French vacationers.

🏨 The hotel industry is evolving with multifunctional spaces and a mix of classic rooms and dorms, embracing coliving to meet new demands. Brands like The People, Eklo, Jo & Joe have been market changers, with new players like Melt (with Jost) and Zoku, which started in the Netherlands in 2016 and in France by 2023, targeting corporate clients with adaptable lofts and multipurpose furniture. The hybrid trend includes hotel-tourism residence combos, as seen with Galia Group's upcoming "new generation" hotels.

🏖️ In summer 2024, despite uncertain politics, erratic weather, reduced purchasing power, and the Paris Olympics, vacation rentals in metropolitan France saw a 6% increase in booked nights. Popconnect, the European leader in seasonal and short-term rental marketing, reports a positive season. A survey in early June showed 74% of French planned holidays between June-September, a 1% increase from 2023. Bookings went up by 5% in the high season and 10% during the shoulder months compared to 2023, despite a 12% drop in July bookings year-over-year.

🏖️ In the Var department, tourism professionals and institutions, including ADT Var Tourism and various interprofessional unions, gathered on September 6, 2024, at the Valgarde Golf terrace for the first assessment of the summer season. Notable attendees were Jean-Louis MASSON, President of the Var Departmental Council; Guillaume DECARD, President of Var Tourism; Jean-Pierre GHIRIBELLI, President of the Var UMIH; Isabelle LYOBARD, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Delegate for FNRT; and Michel NORE, President of Var HPA. The meeting highlighted an increase in foreign visitors and an extended tourist season beyond the typical summer months.

🎭 Summer 2024 at the Théâtre antique d'Orange saw a record-breaking 180,000 visitors. Despite ongoing restoration work, the site's diverse cultural offerings, such as the virtual reality experience "Les secrets du Théâtre," attracted over 7,000 people with a satisfaction rate above 95%. "L'Odyssée Sonore" drew nearly 6,000 attendees, marking a 4% increase from summer 2023. Interactive educational workshops and the new "Les couloirs du temps" tour were also well-received, enhancing the 2,000-year history experience.

🍳 La 4e édition du concours Rational Cuisinons pour demain, destinée aux élèves et étudiants hôteliers, introduit une innovation avec deux recettes, une sucrée et une salée, sur le thème de la complicité culinaire. Les participants sélectionneront deux ingrédients végétaux pour leurs recettes, avec un accent sur l'équilibre, la saisonnalité, les circuits-courts, la réduction du gaspillage, et la valorisation du végétal. Les candidatures sont ouvertes jusqu'au 31 octobre, et la finale se déroulera en mars 2025 chez Rational en Alsace.

📲 Expedia's study reveals travelers visited 277 web pages before booking, a sevenfold increase since 2013. They spent 303 minutes, over 5 hours, searching and comparing across 45 days. Poor weather in June and inflation over the past two years, perceived by 75% of French consumers, impacted the summer 2024 season. Hotel prices rose by 16.2% compared to 2022. Traveler behaviors are swiftly changing, with 75% altering their consumption habits yearly, heavily influenced by internet use for trip planning. OTAs capture most of the preparatory time, while direct professional sites account for 31%. Key platforms for visibility include OTAs, Google's services, and one's own site.

🏖️ Socamp, a professional event in Seignosse, will occur from September 17 to 19, 2024, bringing together 60 suppliers from various sectors. This networking opportunity expects 400 professional visitors, offering a platform to present new products and engage with potential clients. Supported by two partner unions, Socamp promotes fruitful exchanges and promising collaborations within the HPA (Hospitality Professionals Association) of South-west.

📖 Autonomic Grand Ouest, a major event on disability and aging in France, will take place in Rennes on October 9-10, 2024. Free entry for professionals and the general public. The expo addresses solutions for autonomy loss due to any type of disability. More info: https://rennes.autonomic-expo.com/.