Top News

📈 Media outlets annually produce end-of-season tourism reports that are often criticized for their lack of reliability and potential bias. Organizations and tourism promotion bodies provide subjective statistics and trend-based inquiries, which lack solid data on tourist numbers and spending. The French Ministry of Tourism and Atout France provide figures without transparent methodology. The INSEE offers the most reliable barometer for the hotel and camping sectors, but their findings are also declarative. Tourism trackers like Flux Vision Tourisme/Orange aim to geolocate tourists via smartphones, but this method has limitations and cannot fully quantify real visitor numbers. With approximately 3 million French living abroad, tracking international tourists is further complicated. Media and political entities sometimes rush to provide information, occasionally inventing data. The reliability of tourism reports varies based on the source, with biases ranging from optimism to self-interest. Despite these challenges, there is value in having an overview of the tourism sector, albeit imperfect. It is crucial for the tourism industry to operate on credible data.

💰 Employers with 11+ employees in certain sectors, including hospitality and dining, are subject to a bonus-malus system for unemployment insurance contributions since September 1, 2022. The standard reference rate is 4.05%, which can increase to a maximum of 5.05% or decrease to a minimum of 3%, based on the company's separation rate versus the median sector rate. Two cycles were initially planned: September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023, and September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024. However, the system has been extended until October 31, 2024. The median separation rate for the "hospitality and dining" sector is set at 69.81% for September 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024. Employers will be notified of their applicable rates between August 30 and September 6, 2024.

💵 CPPNI on June 19, 2024, led to signing two amendments to the National Collective Agreement of H.C.R (IDCC 1979): Amendment No. 33 on salaries, with new minimum wages to apply from the first day of the month following the publication of the extension order; expected enforcement possibly in November 2024, October not ruled out due to accelerated procedures. Amendment No. 34 on paid leave for child sickness set to take effect in 2025, with a typical extension process of 6-9 months. GHR will inform about the publication of the extension orders.

🏅 In Paris, the Jeux Paralympiques 2024's first week saw a decline in overall tourism compared to 2023, despite local attendance increasing at competition zones: Porte de Versailles by 14.8%, La Défense by 22.7%, Saint-Denis by 78.1%, and Paris 7e by 7.3%. International tourist visits to Saint-Denis soared by 138.2% and Nanterre by 51.9%. French excursionists rose by 9.7% to 1.5 million. International air arrivals during the Paralympics (28/08-08/09) are predicted at 281,000, down 6.9% from 2023, with North America up by 3.4% and Europe down by 9.8%. September forecasts 600,000 arrivals, up 1.1% from 2023.

🏠 2nd Prize in the Hotel & Lodge Awards 2024 for Paris category awarded to a 5-star member of Small Luxury Hotels of The World, established in 1923 by André Terrail. Run by sisters Sarah and Zeina Georges, the hotel features a neoclassic facade, 30 rooms, 12 suites with 4 exceptional terraces overlooking the Eiffel Tower, and the restaurant Les Confidences offering creations by award-winning pastry chef Jessica Préalpato. Article from issue 134 of Hotel & Lodge.

🏝 Universal Orlando Resort announces the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, opening in 2025 at the expected Universal Epic Universe theme park. This Mediterranean-inspired resort will feature 500 rooms, expanding the park's lodging to a total of 11 hotels with 11,000 rooms. Developed by Universal Creative and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, the new hotel aims to set a new standard for immersive hotel experiences.

🍴 40% of French people sometimes dine alone in restaurants, while 60% prefer company, Lightspeed Commerce Inc. found in a study with 1,000 French consumers. Main reasons include relaxation and personal time (43%), professional travel (29%), work lunches (16%), enjoyment of solitude (27%), trying new places (17%), and easier reservations for one (10%).

🏩 Travelsoft Group acquired five European travel tech companies since March 2023: Traffics, Travel Compositor, Travel Connection, Atcore Technology, and TravelgateX. This expansion aims to reach new markets and improve operational and technological efficiency. TravelgateX integration into Orchestra platform is in progress, enhancing connectivity with over 1,000 additional hotel partners and processing 7 billion searches and 50,000 bookings daily. Travel Compositor's multi-destination booking feature is now in Orchestra, allowing complex European trip planning. Travelsoft also explores sector-specific markets like ski resorts and local tourism, exemplified by partnerships with La Plagne and Chamonix for booking platforms. Despite diversifying into payment and data services, Travelsoft does not view itself as a competitor to tech giants like Amadeus and Sabre.

🛡️ Brit Hotel collaborated with local startup AquilOhm to install the first AquilOhm radiator at Brit Hotel Le Castel in Rennes in 2021. In May 2024, Brit Hotel will expand this partnership to include two hotels, integrating AquilOhm's smart home technology for optimized heating management. AquilOhm radiators, developed after five years of research, use a mineral coating powered by low voltage to efficiently and ecologically heat spaces, all made in Brittany.