Divers

🌎 Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme launches a new campaign to revive tourism, promoting nature and rejuvenation in the Pacific. The campaign, titled "Nouvelle-Calédonie, nouveau départ!", parallels travelers' fresh start with the archipelago's recovery. Despite reduced traffic, local tourism providers remain active and eagerly anticipate new visitors. The campaign is part of a five-phase destination relaunch strategy, aiming to reassure travelers and revitalize the destination's image internationally.

🎄 In December 2024, the Office of Tourisme of Marseille offers free festive activities on 4 weekends (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th). Partners include Marseille Centre for guided tours, and bakery artisans for selling "pompes à huile" at €2 per slice, benefiting Soliane association for families of children with disabilities. The Christmas Market and Santon Fair are also featured on La Canebière and Vieux-Port, respectively.

🍕 In Istanbul on December 5th, Bereket Döner, a prominent Turkish cuisine brand, presented an academic study supporting Turkey's bid for EU recognition of the döner kebab as a traditional product. The study counters Germany's objections by providing historical evidence of the döner's deep roots in Turkish culture and history, referencing 16th-century mechanical designs by Takiyeddin Efendi and the ideas of Evliya Çelebi.

🚠 Uber, enhancing customer experience through immersive events, announced an immersive experience from December 6-22 for Notre-Dame's reopening. In the past year, Uber offered boat reservations in Mykonos, hot-air balloon flights in Turkey, and a luxury Coperni collaboration during Paris Fashion Week. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, they introduced "Uber Cruise" for Seine cruises and "Bubbles" for Champagne cellar tours. Uber France's GM Laureline Serieys highlighted the aim for quality experiences over mere commerce. The company doubled available French cities in two years and introduced services like Uber Reserve and Access for the mobility impaired. Experience-driven marketing differentiates Uber amid competition and supports their service diversification strategy.

💰 In 2023, the CPSTI's regional mediators saw a 110% increase in mediation requests, totaling over 8500 cases. Nearly 50% of these requests resulted in actual mediations. The surge is attributed to the Urssaf's resumed enforcement actions in February 2023. Requests often fail due to independent workers not taking preliminary steps with the concerned organizations. Mediations address Recouvrement, Maladie, and Retraite issues.

🏠 The Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo began its transformation today, with a planned reopening on May 2, 2025. Esteemed interior designer Jacques Garcia leads the five-month renovation of rooms and suites, promising guests an enhanced experience upon their return. The hotel expresses anticipation for writing a new chapter with its guests.

🏠 Denis O’Brien, Irish businessman owning Quinta do Lago since 1998, bought Conrad Algarve from a fund managed by ECS, now under Davidson Kempner Capital Management since 2022. The undisclosed price is speculated between 100-200 million euros. The hotel is part of a portfolio including 23 hotels purchased by Davidson Kempner in 2022 for 850 million euros. Quinta do Lago, with its 14 restaurants, sports center, and three award-winning golf courses, has seen over 70 million euros in maintenance and improvements. CEO Sean Moriarty views the acquisition as a step towards luxury hospitality excellence in Algarve.

🏠 Park Hall Hotel & Spa Lancashire, dating back to the 7th century near an ancient Benedictine monastery in Chorley, reopened as part of Radisson Individuals after a complete renovation. With 64 rooms and suites plus 54 renovated cottages set to open in spring 2025, it features a recently opened spa with hydrotherapy and spa pools, thermal saunas, and Temple Spa wellness treatments, alongside a modern gym. The hotel caters to events with capacities up to 700 guests in spaces like the Medieval Banquet Hall. The Radisson partnership provides quality standards and global reach while maintaining the hotel’s unique identity, including Radisson Rewards access. Statements from sales director Sharon Myers and owner Anoob Saban highlighted the multimillion-pound investment and commitment to exceptional stays.

📝 The Syndicat des Indépendants et TPE (SDI) reacted to the French National Assembly's vote that overturned the government led by Michel Barnier. Marc Sanchez, the Secretary-General of the SDI, criticized the management of public affairs, likening it to behavior that would lead to bankruptcy if replicated in small businesses. The SDI calls for responsible politics amidst ongoing concerns about budget deficits and economic growth.

🚲 Government's budget for the national bike plan reduced to €100 million from the initially planned €1 billion over five years. The cut could delay or cancel over 400 bike infrastructure projects. Elisabeth Borne introduced the plan in 2023 to fund over 100,000 km of bike lanes by 2030. Despite national cuts, Ile-de-France maintains investments, aiming to triple bike's modal share in 10 years. The VIF (RER Vélo) project in Ile-de-France received €300 million, with continuous sections, including Paris to Le Bourget, to be completed in 2025.