Sofitel to Expand Berlin Presence Through SO/ Berlin Das Stue Transformation


Le SO/ Berlin Das Stue deviendra Sofitel Berlin Das Stue au premier trimestre 2027 - Photo : Sofitel

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Accor announces the arrival of Sofitel Berlin Das Stue, which will replace the SO/ Berlin Das Stue brand in the first quarter of 2027.

Located in Berlin’s embassy district, along the edge of the Tiergarten and facing the zoo, the property occupies a 1930s neoclassical building, former royal Danish embassy and today protected as heritage.

The property comprises 78 rooms and suites, including a Bel Étage Suite and a Penthouse Suite. It also offers an indoor heated pool, a spa, fitness facilities, private meeting spaces, and a gastronomic offering.

As part of the rebranding, several improvements are planned: renovation of the guest rooms, replacement of bedding and textiles, refreshing of the public areas and corridors, new signage and lobby redesign, including the integration of new artistic and decorative elements.

Sofitel’s stated objective is to evolve the property to meet its standards while preserving its identity tied to its Danish diplomatic history, its architecture, and its contemporary design.


A New Address for Sofitel’s European Development

With this arrival, Sofitel continues its development in the major European capitals.

The brand indicates it is present or in development in 15 key European destinations, with notably the announced opening of Sofitel Dublin in 2027.

For Accor, Germany also represents a strategic market. The group operates nearly 300 hotels there, representing more than 43,000 rooms, all segments combined, while around thirty projects are currently in development.


Amelia Brille Written by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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CruisePro Set to Expand the French Cruise Market


Après une rénovation à Brest, le Quenn Mary 2, ici dans le canal du Panama, reprendra la mer à l’occasion d’une nouvelle traversée transatlantique au départ du Havre le 25 juin @Cunard

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Fifteen brands, but not fifteen companies doomed to compete for the same passengers.

For Emmanuel Joly, head of Cruisepro, the breadth of the portfolio is, on the contrary, the main lever for the growth of the general travel agency in France. « All of our brands meet demand without cannibalizing each other », he asserts.

Royal Caribbean targets families and fans of large ships, Virgin Voyages targets adults, while Celebrity Cruises occupies the premium segment.

Cunard cherishes its maritime heritage, NCL leans toward a more relaxed offering, and Azamara focuses on destination immersion.

Cruisepro also covers luxury and ultra-luxury with Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Seabourn, Crystal Cruises or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. AmaWaterways finally enables its presence on the river cruise segment.


Cruisepro: deals with networks “in the works”

The proliferation of brands is therefore not aimed at repartitioning the existing client base. It is intended to widen the market by offering responses to profiles and budgets that are very different.

To achieve this, Cruisepro wants to strengthen its ties with travel agencies. Emmanuel Joly notes that signatures with several distribution networks are currently in the works.

The reservation calendar makes this collaboration all the more strategic.

Despite the growth of last-minute sales, driven, he says, by geopolitical uncertainties, the manager recalls that it is generally necessary to book nine to eighteen months before departure to obtain the best terms and preserve a real choice of cabins.

The work with distributors must therefore begin well before boarding. It involves training, product briefings, and the ability to direct each client toward the cruise line that truly matches their expectations.

Cruisepro also aims to bring cruising out of its circle of regulars. “We must reach clients who take exotic trips”, says Emmanuel Joly. In other words, persuade travelers who already travel far but have not yet considered the ship as a way to discover.


New Developments as Proof by Example

The 2027 programming must give agents talking points. Royal Caribbean will position Mariner of the Seas departing from Barcelona on itineraries that travel through the Costa del Sol, Casablanca, Tangier and Portugal. A way to combine time onboard with a sequence of calls rarely gathered on a single Western Mediterranean cruise.

Celebrity Cruises will again offer a seven-night Iceland circuit aboard the Celebrity Silhouette. Cunard, for its part, will focus on a transatlantic crossing between Le Havre and New York on June 25, 2027, aboard the Queen Mary 2. The ship will have just emerged from a renovation carried out in Brest and will feature a French-speaking accompaniment.

NCL will launch in April 2027 the Norwegian Aura, touted as the largest ship ever built for the company. Oceania Cruises will inaugurate the Oceania Sonata in August of the same year, while developing culinary-themed cruises.

On the more exotic segments, Cruisepro can rely on Azamara’s long voyages and the expedition cruises of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. In the river segment, AmaWaterways will reinforce its departures on the Magdalena River, in Colombia, with two 60-passenger vessels and calls in Mompox, a UNESCO World Heritage site.


Laurent Guéna Published by Laurent Guéna Journalist – TourMaG.com
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Accor and H World Group Expand Partnership to Bookings and Loyalty Programs


Accor et H World Group étendent leur partenariat aux réservations et à la fidélité

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Accor et H World Group ouvrent un nouveau chapitre de leur alliance initiée en 2014. Ce partenariat étendu vise à élargir le choix d’hôtels et à croiser les avantages de fidélité pour les membres des programmes ALL Accor et H Rewards directement depuis leurs plateformes de réservation respectives.

Les deux programmes continueront toutefois, de fonctionner de manière indépendante, préservant leur propre identité.

Sébastien Bazin, Président-Directeur Général de Accor, a souligné qu’après leur accord de Master Franchise en 2014, ce nouvel accord représente une autre étape majeure visant à abolir les barrières géographiques, à améliorer la distribution et à enrichir leur écosystème de fidélité.

De son côté, Ji Qi, Président de H World Group, a qualifié ce partenariat d’évolution naturelle après plus d’une décennie de confiance mutuelle, ajoutant qu’en unissant leurs forces complémentaires, les deux groupes allaient créer plus de valeur pour les voyageurs, les propriétaires d’hôtels et les partenaires.


A phased rollout throughout 2026

The agreement rests on the complementarity of the two organizations: Accor’s global brand portfolio and international distribution network join forces with the direct-channel strength and H World’s extensive customer base in China.

H Rewards counts more than 310 million members, while ALL Accor totals nearly 120 million worldwide.

The rollout of this synergy will occur in successive phases during 2026. H World International hotels located in Europe and the Middle East will progressively become accessible to ALL Accor on the French group’s direct channels.

Conversely, the premium and luxury brands of Accor operating in mainland China will be integrated into H World’s platforms for H Rewards members. Travelers of both programs will thus begin benefiting from preferential rates, privileged status recognition and the accumulation of points during their stays at participating partner properties.

Australia: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures Aims to Expand European Sales


Iconic Whitsunday Adventures est un tour-opérateur australien spécialisé dans les expériences exclusives et basé à Airlie Beach - Depositphotos.com, aatkinsonphotography

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Iconic Whitsunday Adventures strengthens its commercial strategy on the European market.

The operator, based in Airlie Beach in Queensland, has entrusted its commercial representation and promotion in France and Europe to the Munich-based agency Voice of Travel.

The objective is to develop relationships with European travel agencies and tour operators, notably through targeted commercial actions, webinars and personalized product trainings.

The dedicated B2B contact is Meike Gronegger, Senior Marketing & Trade Relations Manager at Voice of Travel.

The agency notably offers to accompany professionals in discovering and marketing the experiences offered by Iconic Whitsunday Adventures.


Two premium experiences at the heart of the Whitsundays

The operator offers several excursions departing from Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

On board the Viper, a vessel touted as the fastest in the archipelago, Iconic Whitsunday Adventures presents a nine-hour trip that combines Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and a snorkeling session on the Great Barrier Reef.

The experience, limited to 36 passengers, includes a guided snorkeling safari led by a marine biologist.

Another flagship product: a full-day sail aboard the Lady Enid, a wooden schooner built in 1962 and restored, which can accommodate up to 24 passengers. This roughly ten-hour experience, for adults only, combines sailing, exploring Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, snorkeling and a gourmet offerings with premium beverages.

The two day trips depart at 8:00 a.m. from the Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. Transfers from accommodations can also be arranged on request.


An offering also focused on sunset cruises

Iconic Whitsunday Adventures also offers a two-hour sunset cruise aboard the Lady Enid. Adults-only, the experience includes a platter featuring local products and an Aperol Spritz.

The Sundowner in turn offers a sunset outing around Airlie Beach, suitable for all ages and capable of hosting up to 48 passengers.

“We are particularly proud to support in Europe a new renowned Australian partner with Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, a family-owned business recognized and certified as eco-responsible“, emphasises Peter Mierzwiak, CEO of Voice of Travel.

Tourism professionals can now contact Voice of Travel to organize product trainings or obtain further information about Iconic Whitsunday Adventures’ offers.


Amelia Brille Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com
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