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🚗 Gilles Vidal, Design Director at Renault, details the new electric Renault 5, set to be the upcoming season's it-car. Renault employees are already test-driving it on the streets. The car's success is expected to significantly impact the brand's commercial and image standing in the rapidly growing electric market. Boasting a spectacular design that nods to its heritage while being thoroughly modern, the high-end variant features a 52 kWh battery with over 400 km range under optimal conditions. Notably, it offers a unique in-world feature: an optional 50€ wicker breadstick holder.

🏨 Spark by Hilton to launch in France with new hotels: Spark by Hilton Lyon Ouest and Lyon Park Saône set to open in Vaise district (69009 Lyon) by late 2025, Spark by Hilton Lyon Eurexpo (69277 Genas) by summer 2026, and DoubleTree by Hilton Lyon Plage (69004 Lyon) by 2028. A total of 655 rooms across the four hotels. Eric Giorgi, CEO of Groupe Arteloge, expresses enthusiasm for the franchising partnership with Hilton, emphasizing the growth and customer benefits while maintaining management and ownership.

🐕 The Association Hôtellerie du Québec (AHQ) and ExperiSens, a research unit of the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), published a guide for welcoming dogs in hotels. With financial support from the Ministry of Tourism, this guide was developed from a study aimed at providing Quebec hoteliers with the tools needed to cater to the growing trend of travelers with dogs, ensuring comfort and safety for all guests. It includes an in-depth analysis of local and international practices, incorporating expert opinions, including that of a veterinarian and a human-animal relationship researcher. The report highlights financial, regulatory, and service recommendations to enhance the experience of travelers with dogs.

🏕 In 2024, the French tourism team experienced a year of highs from major events like the Olympics and lows during spring and fall, resulting in a slightly positive overall outcome. Aéroports de Paris saw a 3.6% increase in traffic for the first 11 months, with a boost in August by 4.7% due to the Olympics and French departures. SNCF Voyageurs reported a 4% increase. French hotels and holiday villages noted a revenue increase of 1.5% and 1.8% respectively, while Parisian hotels ended the year neutral (+0%) as gains during the Olympics (x2.5) were offset by regular declines.

🌊 In May 2024, Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed) launched its second call for projects dedicated to Mediterranean islands, supporting 7 local initiatives across 6 Mediterranean countries to combat plastic pollution. Notably, in 2020, BeMed backed a French project "Projet pilote zéro plastique" by SMILO, which developed prototypes for plastic alternatives using local materials like Provence cane and date palm residues on Kerkennah island.

🍕 In 2023, Walter Butler acquired a strategic 35% stake in Moma Group, joining its board. Moma Group, in operation since 2012 and present in Paris, London, Miami, and Marrakech, aims to open 40 new establishments by 2025, focusing on American, Middle Eastern, and potentially Asian markets under franchises. Founder Benjamin Patou retains a 50% stake.

🏖 Net Managers Collection Hiver will take place from January 15-18 in Méribel, featuring 10 speakers addressing technological trends, global issues, and the reconfiguration of international order, including the re-election of Trump and the rise of BRICS. Notable programs include "Le Triomphant", an open source AI model acclaimed in May 2024, strategies for engaging youth through video games, responsible water management for sustainable tourism, the influence of the documentary "KAIZEN" with over 40 million views, and the role of AI agents in society. Forty companies, including Groupe Vinci Airport and Disney, will attend, discussing the utilization of data for tourism marketing strategies.

🏆 Alliance France Tourisme and MKG presented the 2024 tourism report in a press conference. Highlights include major events such as the Olympics, influencing traffic at Aéroports de Paris with a 3.6% increase over the first 11 months and a peak in August (+4.7% for ADP and +4% for SNCF Voyageurs) due to the Games and French departures. Overall, a slightly positive but uneven year for French tourism across different regions and periods.

📊 By the end of 2024, significant changes have been observed among local businesses, with a focus on evolving for 2025. Super apps are poised to enter the European market, offering an integrated platform for search, online ordering, payment, and customer review management. The use of AI has become more prominent, with 9 out of 10 people in France considering it reassuring when businesses respond to reviews, according to an IFOP study for Guest Suite. AI is expected to be increasingly utilized for responding to customer reviews and handling voice reviews. Businesses are encouraged to leverage hyper-localization and ultra-personalization through geo-targeted campaigns and dynamic content. Voice search optimization and advanced AI assistants are becoming essential in the digital landscape. Regulatory changes, such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) since March, emphasize transparency in review management and data protection. Google remains a key player in local marketing, with the importance of maintaining an optimized Google Business Profile (GBP). Preparing for upcoming trends, investing in the right tools, and proactive market engagement is crucial for businesses to remain competitive and visible.

🏦 Lamington Group, led by the Godwin family founders, adds Merzak Kaddour and Robert Ryan as non-executive directors alongside Ufi Ibrahim in 2023. Specializing in hospitality, finance, real estate, and sustainability, the board focuses on sustainable growth and innovation, including room2, a hybrid of apartments and hotel services. The group, now B Corp certified, plans expansion with new sites in York and Manchester, supported by the strategic governance of the new board members.