Group Travel Reclaims Its Value in an Uncertain Global Context as Calafell Evasión Takes Charge to Drive Change


Le groupe en voyage sur la péninsule Ibérique © Calafell Evasión / Image générée par IA pour illustration promotionnelle

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Today, travelers place greater emphasis on safety, the proximity of services, and the reliability of the organizations they rely on for their trips.

In this new context, group travel regains its full relevance. More structured, more reassuring and easier to organize, it meets a genuine need for serenity. For agencies and organizers, choosing an experienced local partner also becomes essential to ensure smooth stays that align with clients’ evolving expectations.


Le voyage de groupe : une réponse aux nouvelles attentes des voyageurs

For several years, traveler behavior has evolved. Where some once sought distant destinations or very rapid trips, many now favor experiences that are more accessible, more human, and better organized.

The current international context accelerates this trend. Groups want to travel to stable destinations, easily reachable and equipped with solid infrastructure. They also seek more active guidance, capable of securing every phase of the stay and responding quickly in case of unforeseen events.



© Calafell Evasión / Image générée par IA pour illustration promotionnelle

In this dynamic, group travel emerges as a reassuring solution. It helps pool costs, simplify planning, and above all, provides genuine peace of mind for both participants and organizers.

This shift also highlights the importance of human connection in tourism. Travelers no longer seek merely to “see” a destination, but to experience a collective, convivial, and authentic moment together.


Espagne et Portugal : des destinations adaptées aux réalités actuelles


© Calafell Evasión / Image générée pour illustration promotionnelle

In this context, the Iberian Peninsula naturally emerges as a particularly relevant destination for groups.

Spain and Portugal offer a rare balance between accessibility, safety, cultural diversity, and high-quality tourism infrastructure. Their geographic proximity helps limit travel times and the impact of rising fuel costs, while ensuring a genuine sense of change of scenery.

Another major advantage is the variety of possible experiences. Cultural stays, tours, hiking, gastronomy, traditional or seaside events… the Iberian Peninsula meets a wide range of expectations, with the possibility to travel almost year-round thanks to a particularly favorable climate.

In a world where uncertainty increasingly shapes travel decisions, Spain and Portugal appear as destinations that are both reassuring and inspiring.


Le rôle essentiel du réceptif local

More than ever, agencies and organizers need strong local partners who can anticipate difficulties and guarantee reliable execution.

The role of the DMC is no longer limited to mere logistics. It becomes a trusted ally, capable of securing operations, ensuring on-site responsiveness, and guiding groups through a tourism landscape that is continually evolving.

At Calafell Evasión, this close proximity to on-site realities has been one of the company’s cornerstones for over 30 years. The teams collaborate daily with carefully selected local partners to ensure the quality and stability of the services offered.

The integration of Promenade in Portugal now strengthens this presence across the entire Iberian Peninsula and enables agencies to obtain even more comprehensive coverage of the destination.


Et demain ?



Dans un contexte mondial incertain, le voyage de groupe reprend toute sa valeur. Calafell Evasión décide de prendre les choses en main et d’initier le changement…
Calafell Evasion, Espagne et Portugal

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Itinerea Group: Calafell Evasion Rebrands to Support Its Growth


Calafell Evasion devient Itinerea Group ce 1er juin 2026. @itinerea group

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At the origin, the name Calafell Evasion directly referred to the town of Calafell, on the Costa Brava, where the activity began three decades ago. « Back then, we specialized in Costa Brava products and we worked as a local receptive operator for this destination », explains Jérôme Pouil, Chief Executive Officer.

But over the years, the company significantly broadened its scope. From the Costa Brava, the activity expanded to Spain, then to Portugal to cover the entire Iberian Peninsula. A gradual transformation that saw the company grow from three employees to nearly fifty today.

The recent acquisition of the Portuguese receptive Promenade, in April 2025, has also accelerated the consideration around a more global identity. « Calafell Evasion, Promenade… this was becoming complicated. We needed a name capable of representing the whole group and our long-term vision » says the leader.


A new identity, but the same spirit

The choice of the name Itinerea Group was not immediate. Several months of reflection were needed before finding a legally available and unifying appellation for the teams. « It is only a commercial brand; there is no change in the company or its spirit. We remain the same family business, close to our clients », insists Jérôme Pouil.

The company, historically oriented towards French coach operators, progressively diversified its client base by also working with tour operators and travel agencies. Despite this growth, the company maintains an artisanal positioning, particularly in group tourism.

« The receptive business remains a very human and artisanal métier, especially for groups. The current priority is to protect our teams, recruit, train and invest in technology », explains the leader.


Madeira and Portugal at the heart of development


Les équipes de Calafell Evasión et de Promenade réunies sur le stand de Calafell Evasión à l'IFTM top Resa en septembre 2025. - Photo CE

Among the recent novelties is the opening, since April 1, of a delegation in Madeira. A local colleague now officially represents the company there.

The destinations offered today cover Spain, Portugal, the Balearic Islands, the Canaries and Madeira, with a clear intent to stay focused on the Iberian Peninsula rather than dispersing into other markets.

The acquisition of Promenade already appears as a strategic success. According to Jérôme Pouil, activity in Portugal should record this year a growth between 30% and 40%.

The operation was conducted in a spirit of continuity with Mariana Delgado, former head of Promenade, with whom the leader had professional relations for more than twenty years.

« It was a logical evolution to strengthen our presence in Portugal in a lasting way », he says.


Technology and artificial intelligence

On the technology front, Itinerea Group is currently working on the development of new tools dedicated to group tourism, in partnership with a Spanish player.

Artificial intelligence is also among the priorities for the next two years.

« We have a technology migration program spanning one to two years. These are significant evolutions that require time and training », explains Jérôme Pouil.

If other opportunities for external growth could be studied in the future, the group primarily aims to consolidate its expertise in the Spanish and Portuguese markets, mainly with francophone clients.


Quebec and MICE in the sights

Simultaneously, Itinerea Group begins to develop the Francophone Canadian market, notably in Quebec, with longer stays and a different approach to cultural tourism.

The group also notes An increase in requests in the MICE and seminars segment, even though its core activity remains cultural tourism and leisure travel, particularly among the senior clientele.

« Calafell Evasion, that was our history and origins. Itinerea is the direction we want to take for the future », sums up Jérôme Pouil.