After a lengthy hiatus, the Selectour Receptives Salon is being relaunched, with the intention of making it a fresh, annual gathering.
For the occasion, the hippocampus-branded network brought together 115 receptives from France and from around the world who are listed as members, along with 220 affiliated agencies, under the dome of the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris, on May 20, 2026.
In an environment shaped by the rising power of AI and the ever-stronger competition from online agencies, “custom travel and moving upmarket are our future,” stated Laurent Abitbol, the board’s president, in his opening remarks.
Tailor-made journeys are particularly appealing to agencies that typically enjoy an average margin of about 20%.
Also read : Laurent Abitbol: after the businessman, the politician?
For the occasion, the hippocampus-branded network brought together 115 receptives from France and from around the world who are listed as members, along with 220 affiliated agencies, under the dome of the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris, on May 20, 2026.
In an environment shaped by the rising power of AI and the ever-stronger competition from online agencies, “custom travel and moving upmarket are our future,” stated Laurent Abitbol, the board’s president, in his opening remarks.
Tailor-made journeys are particularly appealing to agencies that typically enjoy an average margin of about 20%.
Also read : Laurent Abitbol: after the businessman, the politician?
Legal framework and liability under the microscope
This Receptives Salon enabled attendees to take part in an information session on the legal framework (liability, sales contracts, etc.) governing tailor-made travel, the risks, points to watch, and best practices, followed by a round-table discussion and a giant workshop.
Assurever also presented its Protexio product. Priced at 1.99% of the travel cost, which allows agencies to insure against the risks of a tailor-made trip (cancellations, strikes, bad weather, natural disasters, supplier failures, etc.) and to safeguard their margin.
Also read : 2026: a year of structuring, commitment, and projection for Assurever
Assurever also presented its Protexio product. Priced at 1.99% of the travel cost, which allows agencies to insure against the risks of a tailor-made trip (cancellations, strikes, bad weather, natural disasters, supplier failures, etc.) and to safeguard their margin.
Also read : 2026: a year of structuring, commitment, and projection for Assurever
« It’s not an economic crisis, but a psychological one »
In 2025, Selectour recorded a turnover of €36 million with the receptives it lists, up 3.5% from 2024. From January through the end of April, growth reached 6%, totaling €11.5 million.
A positive trend that runs counter to the broader market. Tourism bookings within Selectour show a 24% decline for March, April, and May, mirroring the industry as a whole.
“Every month, it slides a little further. It’s not an economic crisis, but a psychological one,” says Laurent Abitbol, who urges members to weather the storm as much as possible in the hope of a rebound, should the hypothetical reopening of the Strait of Hormuz occur.
“The client wants to travel; it’s not a matter of price. Our enemy is the 24/7 information cycles. It’s a drug…” he adds.
He also takes the opportunity to advise TOs not to slash prices for the summer, for fear of muddying benchmarks and of losing the ability to sell at the right price in the coming years, but rather to reduce their capacities.
A positive trend that runs counter to the broader market. Tourism bookings within Selectour show a 24% decline for March, April, and May, mirroring the industry as a whole.
“Every month, it slides a little further. It’s not an economic crisis, but a psychological one,” says Laurent Abitbol, who urges members to weather the storm as much as possible in the hope of a rebound, should the hypothetical reopening of the Strait of Hormuz occur.
“The client wants to travel; it’s not a matter of price. Our enemy is the 24/7 information cycles. It’s a drug…” he adds.
He also takes the opportunity to advise TOs not to slash prices for the summer, for fear of muddying benchmarks and of losing the ability to sell at the right price in the coming years, but rather to reduce their capacities.
An expanded and improved receptive offer
Growth in receptives activity is linked to agencies that are increasingly receptive to the idea of building customized and differentiating products to meet client expectations, with full control over the offering.
It also depends on an expanded portfolio. For the 2026/2028 period, Selectour lists 137 foreign receptives and 13 French receptives (Selectour agencies that offer itineraries within France, such as Girardot Voyages in Burgundy).
Behind an apparent stability lies actually a scene with roughly thirty outgoing and as many incoming partners, with a goal to reference luxury specialists offering personalized or concierge services, as well as receptives deeply committed to sustainable and responsible tourism.
It also depends on an expanded portfolio. For the 2026/2028 period, Selectour lists 137 foreign receptives and 13 French receptives (Selectour agencies that offer itineraries within France, such as Girardot Voyages in Burgundy).
Behind an apparent stability lies actually a scene with roughly thirty outgoing and as many incoming partners, with a goal to reference luxury specialists offering personalized or concierge services, as well as receptives deeply committed to sustainable and responsible tourism.
Polishing for the Hip Réceptif platform
The refreshed selection also enables Selectour to add new destinations (Albania, Germany, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua) and to strengthen its presence in Mauritius, Japan, and the United Kingdom. In total, 134 destinations are covered.
To boost efficiency, the offering is consolidated on the internal Hip Réceptif platform. Operational for ten years, it will receive a makeover at the end of May.
Beyond a new design, functionalities will be enhanced (agency feedback on receptives, training on destinations, visualizable route maps of itineraries, etc.).
To boost efficiency, the offering is consolidated on the internal Hip Réceptif platform. Operational for ten years, it will receive a makeover at the end of May.
Beyond a new design, functionalities will be enhanced (agency feedback on receptives, training on destinations, visualizable route maps of itineraries, etc.).
