Innovation

📷 Google Maps introduces a photo-based local search feature inspired by Instagram and Snapchat, allowing users to find products or places by browsing a carousel of images posted by other users. This visual search encourages decision-making and provides directions to the selected destination, enhancing the user experience with an immersive approach. This update represents a strategic opportunity for businesses to improve their online presence, particularly through user-generated content, highlighting the need for high-quality images on Google pages.

🏡 In Avignon, "HI FRANCE! Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse" signed the ground floor and first floor of 17 rue de la République to revitalize deserted commercial spaces, benefiting the owner, Fondation Vouland, and neighboring businesses. The future hostel will feature 109 beds across 26 rooms, with amenities including a breakfast/snacking/bar area, internet, lounge, laundry, luggage storage, and a bicycle garage.

🏤 Belmond unveils the Britannic Explorer, set to launch in July 2025, as England and Wales' first luxury sleeper train. Featuring refined gastronomy by Chef Simon Rogan, recipient of eight Michelin stars and two Michelin green stars, the train offers wellness suites and cultural programming. Departing from London, the journey spans three nights with options to explore Cornwall, the Lake District, and more.

📣 GuestDiary.fr offers hoteliers a comprehensive solution to enhance customer loyalty and streamline management. It enables personalized communication, such as booking confirmations and special post-stay offers, tailors experiences based on customer data, simplifies booking processes by centralizing reservations from various sources, manages customer feedback effectively, and helps create and manage loyalty programs with exclusive discounts and special offers. This all-in-one platform is presented as a key to improving customer satisfaction, simplifying operations, and fostering sustainable business growth.

🏨 Viceroy Hotels and Residences launches the first phase of a transformative brand relaunch on November 13, 2024. The brand aims to be a leader in the travel industry by focusing on innovative design, intuitive service, and immersive storytelling. The new era promises an exceptional customer experience with upcoming innovations in dining, drinks, and wellness, catering to luxury travelers' desire for authenticity and cultural immersion. Locations span from Santa Monica to Saint Lucia, Los Cabos, Chicago, and Snowmass.

🏕 Amazon expands its travel brand offerings for Cyber Week, running from November 25 to December 2, 2024. During this American shopping holiday following Thanksgiving, consumers can save on various items and book vacations. In 2024, Amazon partnered with brands like American Airlines, Delta, Avis Budget, Visit Florida, Viator, and Royal Caribbean. Viator’s VP of marketing, Laurel Greatric, emphasizes the ease of offering an amazing travel experience for the holidays through these Cyber Week travel deals.

🌐 ICANN and Smart Africa sign a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance Internet governance in Africa. Their collaboration commits to promoting a stable, secure, and inclusive Internet, focusing on capacity building events, training workshops, and increasing African stakeholder participation in governance discussions, aiming for digital transformation across the continent.

💰 Bounce raised $19 million in Series B funding to accelerate international expansion led by Sapphire Sport with Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, Thayer Ventures, and other investors. The company, launched in 2019, has over 13,000 partners in 100 countries and operates in more than 4,000 cities, including Paris with over 275 partners and Nice with nearly 40. The funds will enhance services for travelers and residents globally.

🛡️ Cyberattacks are increasingly sophisticated in the hospitality sector. In 2023, account hacking, phishing, and ransomware were prevalent. Isabelle Leganne, VP of the Digital Commission of GHR, highlighted this at EquipHotel (Nov 3-7, Paris). Gilles Berthelot from GIP ACYMA noted the industry's underestimation of the threat. The 2024 ImpactCyber study revealed that 62% of small and medium businesses feel they are at low risk or unaware, and 78% feel inadequately prepared. GIP ACYMA urges communication in the event of an attack.

🛫 The region of Ile-de-France withdrew a €1 million subsidy from ADP, in partnership with Volocopter and Lilium, for the flying taxi project after the initiative missed its launch during the Paris 2024 Olympics. This decision, announced by Valérie Pécresse on November 17, 2023, follows delays in engine delivery, DGAC certification, and EASA endorsement. ADP remains ready for experiments from the Austerlitz vertiport in December.