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📈 Lighthouse raised $370 million led by global investment firm KKR to expand AI and strategic intelligence technologies for over 70,000 hotels worldwide. This funding aims to support product innovation, strategic acquisitions, and global expansion efforts in the $15 billion travel and hospitality technology market. Lighthouse's platform processes over 400 terabytes of travel and hospitality data daily, leveraging AI to deliver real-time insights to clients.

💎 The Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris partners with Repossi for a dazzling end-of-year celebration. The Italian-born haute joaillerie and the iconic Parisian address on Avenue Hoche (75008) present a collaboration honoring Modern and Contemporary Art. The partnership features Christmas decorations and a unique pastry creation by Chef Yazid Ichemrahen, inspired by Repossi's "Serti sur Vide" collection and the minimalism of their Place Vendôme flagship. The dessert combines exceptional design and flavors, with vanilla and rare Madagascar vanillas highlighted by sugary shards.

🏨 Sommet Education announces a long-term strategic partnership with luxury hotelier Mandarin Oriental to bolster talent in the hospitality industry through targeted education and training initiatives, focusing on diversity and offering career opportunities to individuals from underprivileged communities. The collaboration centers on three goals: enhancing student learning experiences with real-world business exposure, developing employee skills through customized training programs, and leveraging Sommet Education's global network, including Les Roches, Glion, École Ducasse, Invictus Education in South Africa, Indian School of Hospitality, and the Sommet Education Foundation. Laurent Kleitman, CEO of Mandarin Oriental, emphasizes the partnership's role in adding value to talent, fostering skill development, and enabling career prospects in the hospitality sector.

📈 In August 2024, a study by Interface Tourism Insights, using its Travellyze platform, surveyed 1,500 French people aged 18 and over. The study revealed French travel trends and key figures for the second half of 2024. The research, part of a broader analysis involving 13 European countries, collected over 9 million traveler data points and examined more than 150 destinations worldwide. Findings indicate that 43% of French travelers intend to maintain the same vacation budget as in 2023, despite earlier budget reductions due to economic conditions—marking a 1.5 point increase from January 2024.

🏨 Groupe Logis Hôtels foresees a record 263M€ turnover for 2024, a +10% increase to date, thanks to its 2-year premium segment development and Urban Style brand expansion strategy. Despite inflation, they've limited rate hikes to +5%, resulting in a +16% rise in loyalty program ETIK, which now has 600,000 members with a 5.5% cashback—leading to a +14% boost in direct sales.

🎁 Last year, gift cards in France saw an 8% growth, reaching €8 billion, with the country ranking 3rd in Europe for gift card sales volume. Experts predict a 14% increase this year. Digital gift cards are projected to grow by over 16% in 2024, with global spending nearing $740 billion. Average gift card value is around €190 as of 2023. Experiential gift cards are trending, offering services instead of material items, believed to increase happiness by 7%.

🏨 Patrick d’Altelis, a pioneer in deploying artificial intelligence in hospitality, featured on Inno'Tourism, France's leading show on hotel innovation. Livie's AI chatbot enhances customer service by providing personalized experiences, increasing direct bookings, and understanding client needs. Upcoming features include Google Maps integration and predictive AI to redefine customer experiences. For hoteliers seeking to outpace competitors and embrace AI, this episode offers insights into Livie's exciting roadmap. Contact Patrick at 06 08 33 16 93 or p.guillaume@altelis.com for a demo.

🏦 Groupe Barrière to launch Maison Barrière Vendôme, a 5-star hotel, in January 2025 between Place Vendôme and the Tuileries Gardens. The hotel will feature 26 rooms, including 16 suites and apartments, all designed by architect Daniel Jibert with high-end materials like Versailles parquet, onyx marble, and pearlescent terrazzo. Amenities include private dining with chefs in spacious suites and a gastronomic bar-restaurant, Frida, offering South American flavors and sophisticated cocktails. A spa set in historic cellars will provide treatment rooms, a sauna, and a cold pool.

🏖️ The 36th edition of Tourissima, Lille's tourism and nature activities fair, will take place from January 24 to 26, 2025. The event is an annual meeting for travelers from the Hauts de France region, offering unique stays and activities. In 2024, the fair brought together 250 exhibitors and welcomed 16,800 visitors. The 2025 edition will feature thematic areas focusing on world islands, VanLife, nature activities, and escapades in the Hauts-de-France region, along with special offers, conferences, and musical, folk, and culinary animations. More information is available at salons-du-tourisme.com/fr-FR/lille.

🏡 EquipHotel 2024, held from November 3 to 7 in Paris, Porte de Versailles, concluded with 1,200 exhibitors and 80,000 professionals over 5 days. The event featured a range of solutions, ideas, and conferences for hospitality professionals, emphasizing innovation for establishments' attractiveness, positioning, performance, and profitability. Béatrice Gravier, director of EquipHotel, highlights the ongoing effort to upscale the event since its 2022 edition.