Top News

🏖️ SlotR, a French startup, is developing a peer-to-peer system for vacation rentals aiming at fairer remuneration, gaining traction among French communities. CEO Clément Vergnolle discusses the blockchain-based solution as an equitable alternative to Airbnb. Dtravel, entering the vacation rental market, utilizes blockchain to turn bookings into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), promoting direct reservations as an industry standard. Kayak for Business, after two years of collaboration with Blockskye and PwC US, unveils two blockchain-based services for SME travel management, including an API for booking business trips and an automated expense management solution. These initiatives demonstrate the convergence of emerging blockchain and AI technologies, enhancing travel personalization and security.

🏨 OYO, Indian hotel chain backed by SoftBank, acquires Paris-based Checkmyguest, a specialist in short to medium-term rental property management. Acquisition could value Checkmyguest at around €100 million. OYO, founded in 2013 by Ritesh Agarwal, raised $4.1 billion from 26 investors, including Airbnb. It operates over 17,000 hotels and residences globally and aims to expand its vacation rental portfolio. Checkmyguest, founded in 2016, converts commercial spaces into short-term rentals and takes a 20% commission on rents. Deal includes HMG and Studio Prestige acquisitions. Since @Leisure Group purchase in 2019, OYO manages 50,000 vacation homes across 20 European countries, marking its third major investment in the short-term rental sector.

🏃 Over 1,600 signatories including the City of Paris, Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other organizations, have committed to the "Manifeste de l’hospitalité" to enhance Paris's appeal for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The manifesto concentrates on three main areas: ecological transition, visitor experience, and local ecosystem, promoting sustainable hospitality. Commitments include fighting waste and reducing single-use plastics. The strategy aims for wider application beyond Paris and the 2024 events.

🏕 Despite 2021 signaling an end for abundance in Venture Capital according to some analysts, Travel startups and companies continue to attract investment, with funding rounds ranging from tens to over a hundred million euros. Some Tourism players have even achieved unicorn status, being valued at over one billion euros. Cover Genius plans to use their $80 million funding to support growth and finance AI claim processing innovation. Fetcherr raised $90 million in a Series B round, aiming to advance yield management algorithms, while Otamiser secured $3 million for OTA optimization. Skyport garnered $110 million to develop vertiports for flying taxis in Dubai with a 2026 launch plan. BlaBlaCar announced a €100 million fundraise post a profitable 2023 to enhance international multimodal shared mobility. TravelPerk raised $104 million for AI feature development, and Mews became a hospitality unicorn with a $110 million raise, eyeing innovation and expansion in Europe and the US. Guesty has accumulated $283 million in funding, and the travel sector's attractiveness for venture capital, especially in AI, is confirmed by the TNMT 2024 Attractiveness report.

🏨 Alfred Hotels acquires Le Forum hotel in Beausoleil-Monaco, featuring 1,000 m2 area, 39 rooms, 40-seat restaurant, and a 200 m2 unused rooftop, slated for dining concept transformation. Renovation set for winter 2025, targeting business and leisure guests. This marks their 7th project since 2023, following Compiègne, Beaune, Biarritz's three hotels, and ongoing Montreuil construction. Partnerships include Braxton AM and Le Comptoir immobilier of the Izimmo group.

🏡 L'hôtel Les Lumières Versailles, candidat au classement 5 étoiles, inauguré en juillet, face au château de Versailles, dispose de 31 chambres et suites. Rénové par l'architecte Didier Benderli, cet établissement historique propose des chambres thématiques, une boutique Pierre Hermé, un bar, un restaurant et un spa. Dirigé par Jean-Philippe Hubau, l'hôtel adopte une approche de 'slow tourism' et une stratégie RSE axée sur le bien-être et la durabilité, supervisée par Lena Le Goff, avec des installations éco-responsables et des achats de matelas 100% recyclables, du linge en Tencel, des produits biologiques en vrac, et des équipements fabriqués localement ou issus de forêts durables.

🍝 African culinary culture generated €26.42 million in revenue in French supermarkets in 2023, as reported by Circana. Afrik’N’Fusion, established in 2011, now has 8 restaurants offering dishes like grilled chicken, mafé, and alokos. Star chef Mory Sacko, known since Top Chef 2020, mixes African, Japanese, and French influences in his Parisian restaurant MoSuke. The first edition of the African Cuisine Meetings took place on March 1-2 in Marseille, featuring over 70 culinary professionals. EquipHotel Paris will celebrate African cuisine on November 5, 2024, with chefs like Dieuveil Malonga and Gloria Kabé showcasing the continent's diverse flavors.

🏅 Paris hotels recorded an 80% occupancy rate during the Paris 2024 Olympics, a +15 point increase from 2023. On July 26, the night of the opening ceremony, occupancy hit 90%. Seasonal rentals and furnished apartments saw prices 40% higher than in July 2023, averaging €234 per night. Air arrivals since July 25 were up by +8% compared to July 2023, with a 20% rise in tourist visits in Île-de-France from July 24-27.

🏠 In Provence, the podcast "Talents" by L’Hôtellerie Restauration features Fanny Rey and Jonathan Wahid this summer. The couple revitalized an old coaching inn into a Michelin-starred restaurant and a charming hotel at the Auberge de Saint-Rémy in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Working as "artisans of happiness and taste," they emphasize passion, daily management, and team strength in their approach to hospitality.