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📌 Priceline introduced Penny, an AI-generated voice assistant using OpenAI's technology, in March 2023 after testing since June 2023. Penny, part of Priceline's Trip Intelligence suite, assists with hotels, flights, and car rentals, focusing on streamlined and personalized booking experiences. Upcoming updates to Penny Voice will enable real-time vocal responses to complex queries and interaction throughout trips, with plans to enhance customer support and reservation modifications.

🏨 ELEGANCIA, a project design and management company for hotel ventures, has 19 hotels in Paris and manages 712 keys with a diverse offering including accommodations, restaurants, bars, wellness, coworking, privatization, and event services. As of 2023, the company has achieved €58M in turnover, employs 250 staff, and has a 23% corporate segment share. A new website and brand identity have been launched to showcase its hybrid expertise.

🔍 Google deleted over 170 million fake reviews early in 2024 and is now warning users about establishments with recent takedown notices. The warning reads: "Presumed fake reviews have recently been removed from this place." Google aims to eliminate fake reviews in the coming months, with sanctions for rule violators, and will gradually roll out updates for all Google Maps and Search users.

🏨 Korner Group launches a new 3-star hotel chain in city centers, focusing on decentralized management and a horizontal management structure. Cofounders Cécile Rosset, Maxime Letessier, and Benoît Piel aim to empower employees, known as "Korner Hosts," through a unique role allocation system with multiple-month mandates, fostering responsibility and continuous learning via a tech platform. Hotels feature 20-35 modular rooms, with soundproofing, quality bedding, and a common area "Espace Korner" for relaxation. The customer journey is fully digitalized, ensuring easy booking and stay management while still providing warm in-person hospitality. Already, five hotels have been opened in Paris.

🏠 The 18th Salon Alpin in Albertville will take place from November 11 to 14, 2024. This key event for mountain tourism professionals and catering trades has been acclaimed for over 25 years. The Salon facilitates interactions between hospitality professionals and suppliers and showcases the latest innovations and consumption trends. More information can be found at https://www.salonalpin.com/.

💚 The Peninsula Paris, since its opening in 2014, has supported breast cancer awareness for a decade, partnering again with Les Bonnes Fées, established in 2015. This organization, comprising 18 Miss France titleholders, operates four Maisons des Bonnes Fées across France. On October 3rd, a charity evening will feature a rose-draped hotel façade, a gourmet dinner by Chef David Bizet, performances, and a Christie's auction, all aiding breast cancer fight.

⛷ Domaines Skiables de France (DSF) held their annual congress in Reims today, showcasing their 16 Eco-engagements' progress after four years. DSF, representing 19,000 employees across 238 ski lift companies, is working towards carbon neutrality by 2037, aiming for zero CO2 emissions. Year-on-year improvements in all 16 commitments indicate success in reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. Compliance with Eco-engagements is high, at about 90% by station visitors and roughly 75% by company count.

🏖 The 5th edition of the Challenge TravelCamp Sud is underway, supported by the Région Sud and partners to enhance innovation in tourism and events, focusing on digital and environmental transformation. Project leaders and innovators have until November 30, 2024, to apply at www.travelcampsud.fr. Themes include sustainability, digitalization, data, customer experience, and inclusion.

🌊 On September 28, 2024, the Futuroscope launched its new indoor water park, l’Aquascope, near its amusement park. The project, part of a €304 million investment plan backed by Banque des Territoires, SEM patrimoniale de la Vienne, and Compagnie des Alpes, took two years and cost €57 million. Since opening on July 15, the park, with over 6,000 m² of themed space, aims to attract 500,000 annual visitors. Two-thirds of Aquascope's visitors extended their stay to visit the amusement park.

🏠 The Dolce by Wyndham Versailles Domaine du Montcel in Île-de-France officially opened on September 26 after a soft opening on July 12. The event, attended by 350 local personalities, politicians, investors, and contributors to the 5-year renovation, celebrated the Domaine's historical eras. The hotel, targeting individual and group clients, aims for operational speed with about 130 full-time employees. Owners François Georges (Group ACAPACE President) and Jean-François Blas (SOFIVAL CEO) expressed pride in their partnership with Wyndham.