Conférences et Salons

🏨 Singapore's sovereign fund GIC has agreed to a strategic deal with SAMHI Hotels, involving an investment up to $300 million, targeting premium and upscale hotel development in India. GIC secures a 35% stake in three SAMHI entities: Ascent Hotels, Inmar Tourism & Hotels, and SAMHI JV Business Hotels, starting with a portfolio of five existing hotels with over 1,000 rooms, including the Hyatt Regency Pune, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, and Trinity Hotel in Bengaluru, with a Westin under development. SAMHI is also transitioning some assets to international brands, with a rebranding deal signed in July 2024.

🏨 On May 15, 2025, in Paris, a strategic event on artificial intelligence in tourism will mark the opening of La Fondation hotel. Organized by Bpifrance, Influence Society, and L'ADN media, it aims to engage tourism leaders in high-level discussion on the industry's ongoing and future transformations. The conference at La Fondation hotel, situated between Parc Monceau and Batignolles village, will delve into AI's social practices and emerging uses from 17:30 to 19:30.

💰 Business travel expenses in the Middle East are expected to grow by 6.1% by 2025. The region outperformed other areas post-COVID, with a 19.4% increase over pre-COVID levels. Experts gathered at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 within the new IBTM@ATM zone to discuss these trends and the financial outlook driving strategic developments in the business and MICE travel sector.

⛷ Grandvalira Resorts concluded a successful winter season, selling 2,320,786 ski days, a 4% increase from the past season. Grandvalira's sales rose by 2.9%, Pal Arinsal saw an 11.8% jump in visitors, and Ordino Arcalís nearly topped its historical best season with just 0.9% less. Digital strategies led to a 19% rise in web sales, and the new app's transactions grew tenfold. Despite initial low snow in early December, peak visits during Christmas, January, and February compensated, driven by key snowfall in Andorre.

🏎 The inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, presented by UBS, will take place from April 24-27, 2025, in Rome, celebrating a century since the first Concorso d'Eleganza in April 1926. This event aims to honor the Italian dolce vita, showcasing 50 carefully selected Italian classic cars, embodying eras of design and performance from early pioneers to modern supercars. Iconic brands like Fiat, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and more will be featured, with some models making their public debut after restoration. Vehicles will be organized into 12 categories.

🚊 Fabien Bazin, president of the Nièvre Departmental Council, emphasized on April 15 the urgent need for reliable and punctual service on the Paris-Nevers-Clermont-Ferrand rail line, a key infrastructure for the Nièvre department and central France. The call for sustainable investments was made before Bazin boarded the 9:58 AM train to Paris, as part of a "coup de poing" mobilization coordinated by Objectif Capitales, reflecting transportation as a top concern since 2022 public meetings "Imagine la Nièvre!" and "Imagine la jeunesse".

🌎 Under Donald Trump's presidency, international tourism faces challenges with a tarnished US image and decreased bookings, particularly from European customers. An IFOP survey for NYC.fr shows US favorability among the French dropped from 65% in 2010 to 25%, the lowest since the 1980s. Additionally, only 26% of French people feel the US shares close values with France, a significant decline from 49% in 2004. The changing political climate impacts the attractiveness and market dynamics for tourist operators and destinations.

🌊 CM on The Beach will take place on May 14-15, 2025, in Toulon, France. It's the 5th edition of France's sole event dedicated to content marketing in tourism. Originating in 2017, it has grown in popularity, previously hosted by Cannes, Saint-Raphaël, and Mandelieu-La Napoule. The event offers over 50 practical sessions over two days, targeting tourism professionals like tourist offices, hotels, camping providers, and freelancers. Highlights include AI workshops, "Interview-Vérité," "Speech on The Beach," and the e-reputation awards evening. Networking opportunities abound in a relaxed atmosphere.

🏖 On April 3, 2025, the Deux-Sèvres Department in France launched the tourist season with the Rencontre Pro 79 event, held at the Maison du Département. The event, led by Department President Coralie Dénoues, gathered 200 attendees and 57 entities. It was an opportunity for tourism professionals to network, exchange ideas, and learn about new offerings like a digital tourist album and a new tourist map.

🍺 The 2025 Hospitality Awards mark a 25-year milestone celebrating the global hospitality industry's best initiatives in talent management, sustainability, marketing, communication, customer journey, and novel accommodation and dining concepts. Open to businesses of all sizes, with Local Awards for individual hotels and Corporate Awards for larger groups, participants can showcase their achievements in various categories. Submission details are available at www.hospitalityawards.com, with the platform now open for applications.