Esprit de France Expands into Third-Party Hotel Management


Le Pigonnet, à Aix-en-Provence, voit son chiffre d’affaires progresser de 12 % après sa réouverture fin février 2025 - Photo Camille Moirenc

Attitude Hotels


Esprit de France continues its growth. In the first half of 2026, the hotel activity of the family collection posted revenue of €27.9 million, up 6% on a like-for-like basis compared with the same period in 2025.

According to the press release, this growth is notably driven by the return of international clientele.

In Paris, the properties recorded an average occupancy rate of 86.5%, stable year over year and two percentage points above the market, according to MKG.

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached €302, up from €289 a year earlier, i.e., a 4.5% increase, while the market declined by 1%. In the regions, Pigonnet, in Aix-en-Provence, saw its revenue rise by 12% after reopening at the end of February 2025, following a major renovation.


The Esprit de France Club Expands

Esprit de France, owner of twelve boutique hotels, also brings together about thirty Châteaux and Demeures within the Esprit de France Club.

In the first half of 2026, three new addresses joined the network: Domaine du Colombier, Château du Gué aux Biches and Château de Saint-Paterne. These additions represent 40 additional rooms, i.e., a 21% increase compared with 2025.

About ten projects are currently under study in several French regions, including Brittany, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-C Côte d’Azur. The group also participates in the “Reinventing the Heritage” program, launched in 2019 by Atout France and the Banque des Territoires, with support from the Ministry of Culture through webinars.

“Our ambition today is to continue developing the collection without diluting what gives it its identity,” emphasizes Jérémie de Fombelle, Chief Executive Officer of Esprit de France.


Three Hotels Under Management Contracts

Historically owning and operating its properties, Esprit de France also develops hotel management for third parties. The collection now operates three hotels under management contracts.

Early results are encouraging, details a press release: in a property where it has taken over management, the Booking score rose from 8.4 to above 9 in six months. At Hôtel Tourisme Avenue, gross operating profit (GOP) rose by six points over the same period compared to the previous year.

“Our business is, on the contrary, to understand what creates a place’s value and to bring the necessary expertise to improve its performance without erasing its personality,” explains Jérémie de Fombelle. Esprit de France thus intends to accelerate the development of this activity, leveraging its operational know‑how and its proximity to owners.

Outdoor Tourism: Clear Sky International Acquires Three Companies in France and Ireland


Tourisme de plein air : Clear Sky International acquiert trois entreprises en France et en Irlande - Logo DR

Attitude Hotels


Clear Sky International announces the acquisition of Holidays&Co and Destination Express in France, as well as Campsited in Ireland.

The group, headquartered in Ireland, intends to bring together several brands of travel distribution to build a pan-European platform dedicated in particular to camping, holiday rentals, and ski breaks.

The new group brings together six brands: Camping-and-Co.com, TripandCo.com, Mobilhome-Express.fr, Location-Vacances-Express.com, Ski-Express.com and Campsited.


Six brands united around outdoor tourism

Founded by Guillaume Patrizi, Holidays&Co developed its approach to camping stays distribution with Camping-and-Co.com and to vacation rentals with TripandCo.com.

In parallel, Destination Express, founded by Frédéric Hernandez, specializes in online distribution of vacation rentals and ski holidays, as well as in comparing camping offers. Its activities are anchored notably by the brands Location-Vacances-Express.com, Ski-Express.com and Mobilhome-Express.fr.

Finally, Campsited offers travelers the chance to discover and book camping and outdoor experiences across Europe. Its integration should enable Clear Sky International to extend its presence beyond the French market.


Frédéric Hernandez, founder of Destination Express and strategic advisor to the group, stated: « The travel distribution landscape is evolving rapidly, but technology alone is not enough. Creating long-term value relies on combining deep market knowledge, trusted relationships, and complementary expertise. Clear Sky gives us the opportunity to bring these strengths together, to share what each company does best, and to create new opportunities in European markets. I am very pleased to continue contributing to this ambition as the platform develops. »

On his side, Guillaume Patrizi, founder of Holidays&Co and strategic advisor to the group, added: « The European tourism market is extraordinarily rich, yet remains fragmented. The goal is not simply to build a larger group. It is to bring together proven companies, strong brands, and experienced entrepreneurs, and to create more value by combining their know-how across the various European markets.

It is this long-term vision that gives meaning to the project: preserving what makes each company strong and successful, while creating the conditions for them to go further together. I am happy to continue contributing to the development of this ambition on a European scale.
»

Is the Tour de France Really a Driver of Tourism Attractiveness?


Tour de France : "L’impact économique est comparable à la Coupe du monde de rugby" - Depositphotos

Attitude Hotels


It is a giant that sends a chill down the spine.

Its 21 switchbacks thread through the Grandes Rousses massif, over 14 kilometers, with an average gradient of 8%, for a total elevation gain of more than 1,120 meters.

And it is in the frenzy of turn 7 of Alpe d’Huez, crowded by thousands of overexcited Dutch fans, battered by the heat of a stifling July and by the scent of hops, that a figure worthy of Paul Seixas with a few more years behind him sways and tries to forge a path, while asking the Dutch supporters to please… scan a QR code to answer his survey.

Here are the conditions under which part of Yannick Cabrol’s work was carried out as part of the study on the socio-economic impact of the 2026 Tour de France, commissioned by Isère Attractivité.

A question that might seem irrelevant, given how the event draws spectators and brings crowds to the roadside.

“I hopped on a bike and had a QR code banner printed. I paused at every bend and the Dutch came to scan my QR code to answer a short questionnaire about where they came from, the days they spent here, their expenditures, etc. It was an exceptional moment, especially since I climbed the Alpe d’Huez twice. For the community, the aim wasn’t to calculate a possible return on investment, but to determine whether public intervention is fiscally worthwhile and, above all, whether it generates a surplus of economic activity.

For the economy, it’s a tremendous success“, reveals the founder of SEGAT Impact.


Tour de France: 2% of overnight stays and 3% of expenditures in all of Isère!

If no one questions the media success and the enormous echo chamber that the event creates, the spillovers are still assessed on a rough estimate.

Thus, nearly 600,000 people were expected in the 21 bends.

For the first time, the report provides somewhat more structured figures, as the Isère department invested 1.74 million euros for four stages and the cyclosportive organized by ASO, the organizer of the Tour.

“To obtain a precise figure, we scrutinized Flux Vision data. According to our calculations, starting from the Tour Stage and ending on the evening of the last stage, there were 450,000 additional visitor-days. We are talking here about the surplus compared to the average observed three weeks before and three weeks after the event.

As the race passages and the mythology surrounding this ascent grow, they have built the equivalent of a maxi Stade de France in the heart of the Alps, it’s incredible.

These 450,000 visitor-days translate into 290,000 additional overnight stays“, details Yannick Cabrol.

These five days under the Tour de France therefore accounted for 2% of annual overnight stays and 3% of expenditures (also annual) at the department level.

We are far from a few extra euros, especially since the very loud and festive Dutch supporters do not leave their favorite bend for a week and therefore do not sleep in hotels every night.

Yet, their presence is far from neutral for the local economy. “The impacts are huge for a sporting event, and this despite your observation about the Dutch visitors. Thousands, even tens of thousands of people sleep in their cars or in motorhomes. This turns the roadside into places of lodging.

And it should be noted that, summer or winter, there is no issue filling hotels in the Alpe d’Huez. The surge in spending is explained by a massive re-marketing of dormant beds, because people who own secondary residences imagine they can earn quite a lot of money when the Tour comes.

We also found that these visitors, contrary to what one might think, are people who spend a lot.
“, announces the report’s author.


What is the impact of the Tour de France 2026 in Isère?

Four stages, including two finishes at Alpe d’Huez, and the Étape du Tour: the spillovers measured by SEGAT Impact for the Department of Isère and Isère Attractivité.

38.4 M€direct economic impact in one week
19-25 Julystudy period
4 stagesand a cyclosportive
5,800responses to four surveys

Return on public investment

How much money did public funds generate in returns?

22 €d’activité directe pour les entreprises locales par euro de dépense publique locale

38.4 M€d’impact économique direct (HT)dont 16,2 M€ lors de la première arrivée à l’Alpe d’Huez
1.74 M€de dépense publique localesoit 1,3 € par Isérois, ticket versé à A.S.O. compris
3 M€de TVA supplémentaire pour l’Étatgénérée par les visiteurs étrangers
400 000 €de taxe de séjour(1)à mettre en regard des 1,74 M€ de dépense publique locale

Attendance and employment

450,000 additional visitor-days in one week

450 000visitor-days linked to the Tour de France

+ de 60 % by foreigners

174emplois en équivalent temps plein sur un an
290 000nuits supplémentaires
2 %des nuitées touristiques annuelles du département
3 %de la consommation touristique annuelle du département

Distribution des retombées

Who benefits, who loses

Share of impact captured by the stage towns

88 %

Share of impact in hotels and restaurants

66 %

Restaurant owners calling the Tour “an economic boon”(1)

73 %

Hoteliers calling the Tour “an economic boon”(1)

70 %

Museums and tourist sites reporting a negative impact

67 %

-30 to -50 %of attendance for cultural and heritage venues along the route(1)

Visitor profile

An audience that spends more, is younger, and less often managerial




95 €average daily expenditure per tourist coming for the Tour, French and foreign, excluding transport(1)
73 €average daily expenditure for a tourist in Isère in the summer(1)

In the Oisans, foreign tourists spend 147 € per day, versus 92 € for a French tourist.

4.8average length of stay of a Tour participant(1)
4.4average length of stay of visitors in Isère in summer, outside the Tour(1)

Visitors to Isère outside the Tour de France

35 %

All visitors during the Tour

47 %

Foreign visitors during the Tour

53 %

Share of 25-44-year-olds among visitors(1).

Average Isère tourist

56 %

Tourist coming for the Tour de France

48 %

Foreign spectators of the Tour de France

29 %

Foreign spectators, Rugby World Cup 2023

65 %

Share of executives among visitors(1).

Étape du Tour effect

19% of amateur cyclists stayed to watch the Tour

Organized a week before the pros’ passage, the cyclosportive gathered nearly 15,000 participants. Its economic impact reaches 3.3 M€(1).

40 %de retombées en plus, environ, grâce aux séjours prolongés par rapport à l’Étape du Tour seule
84 %des participants français déclarent vouloir revenir en Isère
87 %des participants étrangers déclarent vouloir revenir en Isère

Mise en perspective

Un impact comparable à la Coupe du monde de rugby 2023

Coupe du monde de rugby, Marseille (6 matchs)

50 M€

Tour de France, Isère (4 étapes)

38,4 M€

Coupe du monde de rugby, Bordeaux (5 matchs)

29 M€

Impact économique direct(1).

64 Mtéléspectateurs pour l’étape 20, deuxième étape la plus suivie au monde
x 6passages de vélos sur la montée de l’Alpe d’Huez par rapport à la même semaine de 2025
7 sur 10Isérois fiers du passage du Tour de France


Source : SEGAT Impact, étude d’impact socio-économique et médiatique du Tour de France 2026 en Isère, pour le Département de l’Isère et Isère Attractivité (communiqué du 19 octobre 2026). Méthodologie DGE ; plus de 5 800 réponses à quatre enquêtes, données Flux Vision et dépenses transmises par les collectivités.

(1) Données communiquées à TourMaG.com par SEGAT Impact lors d’un entretien, octobre 2026.


Tour de France: “L’impact économique est comparable à la Coupe du monde de rugby”

Indeed, and this is the big surprise of the report, the four stages and the cyclosportive, with its 14,000 participants, generated 38.4 million euros in spillovers for the department.

By way of comparison, the Rugby World Cup 2023 had a 50 million euro impact for Marseille (six matches) and 29 million euros for Bordeaux (five matches).

However, the costs are quite different between the two events, especially since one happens every year.

“Overall, the Tour de France, in terms of consumer profile, length of stay, and number of spectators in surplus, represents an additional economic impact comparable to the Rugby World Cup.

But the audiences are not the same. 65% of rugby spectators are executives; 29% for foreign visitors at the Tour stages.

In the medium term, one could hypothesize that this first audience might come back, but it’s essential to distinguish between having the purchasing power to return and the reason for making another trip to France. No one measures this
“, explains Yannick Cabrol.

If direct, pre-tax impact is assessed at 38.4 million euros, “public money from taxpayers generated a surplus of activity that almost exclusively benefits private actors, notably two-thirds to hoteliers and restaurant owners. It is an event that acts as an engine of economic activity, but it does not sustain itself.

Then there is a kind of preconception that Tour de France visitors do not spend, yet we have found that they spend more than the average visitor.

They spend a lot because accommodations are more expensive, and in dining, because they want to eat at French restaurants. There is a volume effect, but also a price effect


Tour de France: an event that draws in the… youth!

One thing is certain: the Tour de France contributes to France’s aura and helps maintain a certain attractiveness of the country.

“I’m not convinced by the monetization method, which is advertising value equivalency, of media spillovers during any sporting event“, nuance. The consultant, however, affirms, “with 50% audience in France and significant shares abroad, due to the sporting stakes, it’s a fantastic three-week promotional film about France, broadcast nearly everywhere in the world.”

Then comes the question of how flows linked to the Tour’s visibility are distributed. I hypothesize that they likely concentrate in places where sport is practiced, then somewhat on heritage sites
, says the analyst.

To read: Tour de France: we spent a day on the caravan!

If cycling can nourish in some people the image of a somewhat old-fashioned sport, that did not stop Netflix from dedicating a TDF series that refreshed its audience and broadened it beyond early fans.

And this is also one of the other surprises of the study: the average age of visitors.

“Typically, in Isère, 25-44 year-olds represent on average 35% of the visitor population. During the Tour, it rises to 47%. And if we only look at the foreign traveler population, 25-44 year-olds represent 53% of the roadside supporters. So truly, it’s an event where young people come in large numbers, and especially young foreigners.

It’s also the only opportunity for small and mid-sized towns to host a major international and free sporting event
, continues Yannick Cabrol.



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Wednesday 28 October 2026 – 11:34 Bouches-du-Rhône: CCIAMP strengthens its ties with Provence Tourisme

Tuesday 27 October 2026 – 11:04 MMV: 180 € offered to customers who join the Alps by night train

Aviation: France Suspends National Strike Notice


Grève nationale dans l’aérien : l’intersyndicale suspend le préavis, mais... - Depositphotos

PONANT


Trade unions had predicted a bleak weekend in the French skies. In the end, it did not take place.

While the government had yet to find a solution to reassure flight crews within the framework of the reform of the cumul emploi-retraite, the CER, the inter-union, gathering the SNGAF, the SNPNC, the SNPL, the UNAC and the UNSA PNC, had filed a strike notice running from October 17 to 21, 2026 across all airlines operating in France.

The whispers we had heard suggested the movement would be well supported, given how strong the discontent was in the cockpits and cabins.

This notice involved all pilots, flight attendants and stewards falling under French law. Already on Tuesday, a first glimmer of hope appeared for travelers, via a leaflet announcing progress and, above all, government assurances.

Ultimately, on Friday evening, white smoke rose above the union offices.

“The new circular issued by the Ministry of Labour is now addressed to the director of the Caisse nationale d’assurance vieillesse, the CNAV, and no longer gives direct orders to the CRPN, thereby satisfying the indispensable condition for its legality“, the press release states.


National strike in aviation: the interunion suspends the strike notice, but…

Concretely, the ministerial document states that pension offsetting will apply only from the liquidation of the basic retirement pension.

Thus, those leaving the aviation sector, notably the stewards and hostesses, and then working between ages 55 and 64, will be able to receive the full pension while pursuing another activity.

Once the legal retirement age is reached, or the basic pension is liquidated, potential reductions in pension may apply.

In addition, a motion adopted by the CRPN’s board of directors, all complemented by the imminent publication of a decree.

To learn more about the reasons for this anger: Aviation: why is a threat of strike looming over the French skies in August?

“Together, these three texts will secure the entire system and thus protect the autonomy of our fund, by preventing any transfer of financial flows or downward data from the CRPN to the CNAV“, the inter-union rejoices.

For reference, flight personnel had demanded their outright withdrawal from the cumul emploi-retraite reform.


Because of these advances and the strong commitment of the State, all unions decided to suspend their strike notice for the period from October 17 to 21.

The statement, however, specifies that this suspension does not mean that a strike or social movement cannot occur if the government fails to keep its promises.

Everything will depend on the publication of the promised decree.

Air France: Israel Imposes Its Rules on Flight Crew


Air France : la CGT demande la suspension de la ligne Paris-CDG–Tel-Aviv - Depositphotos

PONANT


The information was revealed by Mediapart and has sparked controversy within Air France.

According to the media outlet, the national carrier would have circulated an internal note stating that “the Hebrew state bans crew members of certain nationalities from flying over its airspace“. In the article, we learn that Air France would apply this directive.

And this has provoked the anger of the CGT Air France.

The union alerted the airline’s executive leadership and asserts that “our crews are not sorted according to their nationality“.

Published on October 8 and effective immediately, the text provides that foreign carriers must verify the nationality of crew members for every flight bound for Israel, but also for those overflying Israeli airspace.

As reported by All Israel News, the ministerial directive states that “all crew members must have up-to-date background checks and security clearances, in full compliance with the standards and procedures required under the applicable national regulations.

The airline is solely responsible for ensuring that no crew member holds the citizenship or dual nationality of a country that does not maintain official diplomatic relations with the State of Israel.

For Air France, and this should also be the case for Transavia, but also for all French carriers serving the Hebrew state, this concerns only the Paris-Tel Aviv route.


Air France: the CGT calls for suspension of the Paris-CDG–Tel Aviv route

This decision was taken following the foiled attack attempt on a flydubai flight, where the co-pilot allegedly planned a suicide attack against Tel Aviv’s airport.

The union recalls that employees fall under French law.

“Article L. 1132-1 of the Labour Code prohibits discriminatory measures in terms of assignment, working conditions or career progression based on origin or membership, real or presumed, to a nation.

The articles 225-1 and following of the Penal Code also govern the suppression of certain forms of discrimination,” explains the press release.

In addition, CGT reveals that belonging or not to a nationality is protected by Air France’s Diversity & Inclusion booklet – Fighting racism at work.

The employee representatives now await the management’s response and want the latter to respect its commitments. They reaffirm that Air France’s management must ensure that employees will not be sidelined or penalized because of their nationality.

“If the Paris-CDG–Tel Aviv route cannot be operated without excluding some employees on the basis of their nationality, it is the operation of this route that must be challenged, and not the rights of the personnel concerned“, concludes the press release.


Air France extends the suspension of Dubai and Riyadh

In the same vein, Air France announces extending the suspension of its flights to and from Riyadh until October 31, 2026, owing notably to the war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

The Riyadh airport has been closed for the third consecutive day following attacks by the Yemen-based Houthi forces, backed by Iran. An unidentified object struck Terminal 4 of the facility last Saturday, killing 13 and injuring 300. A French woman is among the wounded.

Furthermore, Dammam airport was also targeted.

Moreover, the routes to and from Dubai are suspended until the same date.

Air France and Air Côte d’Ivoire Sign Codeshare Agreement


Air France et Air Côte d’Ivoire signent un accord de partage de codes - Depositphotos.com Auteur snehitdesign

PONANT


On the occasion of the meeting of the Association of Francophone Airlines (ATAF), taking place in Ajaccio, Air France and Air Côte d’Ivoire announce the signing of a reciprocal codeshare agreement on the Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Abidjan-Félix Houphouët-Boigny route.

From October 25, 2026, Air France will affix its code on the flights operated by Air Côte d’Ivoire between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Abidjan. Air Côte d’Ivoire will market the flights operated by Air France on the same route under its own code.

Air France has been a shareholder and strategic partner of Air Côte d’Ivoire since its creation in 2012.

“This codeshare agreement marks a new milestone in our cooperation. By aligning our offerings on the Paris–Abidjan route, we provide our French, Ivorian, and international customers with more choices and greater flexibility, while contributing to the strengthening of economic and cultural ties between France and Côte d’Ivoire“, said Anne Rigail, Chief Executive Officer of Air France.


Alignment of Air France and Air Côte d’Ivoire Loyalty Programs

« The implementation of this codeshare on the Abidjan–Paris route with Air France marks the first step in a collaboration that will be expanded to other destinations within the Air France network before the end of the first half of 2027. Rolling out all stages of this agreement will allow us to broaden the offering between Abidjan and Paris and beyond; but most importantly, it will enable us from the outset to benefit from distribution across Air France’s global network to and from Côte d’Ivoire », said Laurent Loukou, Chief Executive Officer of Air Côte d’Ivoire.

As a continuation of this agreement, Air France and Air Côte d’Ivoire have also brought their respective loyalty programs, Flying Blue and sMiles, closer together. This rollout is planned for late 2026.

Members of the sMiles program will thus be able to accumulate miles on the Abidjan–Paris flights operated by Air France and, in due course, redeem them across the entire Air France network. Members of the Flying Blue loyalty program will likewise be able to accrue and redeem their miles on flights operated by Air Côte d’Ivoire between Paris and Abidjan.

Halloween: Top 20 Haunted Places to Visit in France

Every October 31, for Halloween, it’s the same refrain: a parade of the most “beautiful” costumes, a candy hunt, a horror film, and for the bravest, an adrenaline shot in a place nicknamed “haunted.” An habit that did not escape the national vacation rental search engine Likibu, which, for the occasion, unveiled its list of the most haunted locations in France.

To do this, the site analyzed data collected from October 19 to 24, 2023. The estimated number of queries corresponds to searches conducted monthly on Google by Internet users.

Which haunted places are the most searched in France?

  1. Catacombs of Paris (Île-de-France), with 157,830 searches
  2. Padirac Abyss (Lot), with 150,410 searches
  3. Brocéliande Forest (Ille-et-Vilaine), with 75,850 searches
  4. Lake Paladru (Isère), with 54,350 searches
  5. Fougeret Castle (Vienne), with 34,860 searches
  6. Carnac Menhirs (Morbihan), with 34,030 searches
  7. Commarque Castle (Dordogne), with 21,520 searches
  8. Trepassers’ Bay (Finistère), with 18,110 searches
  9. Rennes-le-Château (Aude), with 17,840 searches
  10. Brissac Castle (Maine-et-Loire), with 16,830 searches
  11. Bonaguil Castle (), with 13,260 searches
  12. Tiffauges Castle (Vendée), with 12,190 searches
  13. Plessis-Bourré Castle (Maine-et-Loire), with 12,060 searches
  14. Montségur Castle (Ariège), with 10,900 searches
  15. Combourg Castle (Combourg), with 10,410 searches
  16. Veauce Castle (Veauce), with 7,980 searches
  17. Reignac Iron Fortress (Tursac), with 6,690 searches
  18. Puymartin Castle (Marquay), with 6,640 searches
  19. Gisors Castle (Gisors), with 5,130 searches
  20. Carrouges Castle (Carrouges), with 4,820 searches

Haunted castles, favorite places for Halloween

With 75,850 monthly searches, the historical Broceliande Forest reappears in the spotlight. Inspire for many films or fairy tales, it invites walkers to trace the steps of the fairies Viviane or Morgan, or to head toward Comper Castle, and perhaps, to pull Excalibur from its stone.

But what stands out most from this ranking is the French enthusiasm for haunted castles. Among the most favored castles, Fougeret Castle (34,860 monthly searches) is extolled as the “hauntedest place in France” and cherished by all paranormal and supernatural enthusiasts.

With 21,520 monthly searches, Commarque Castle also stirs curiosity among the French. Legend has it that it is inhabited by the ghost of the horse belonging to the lover of the daughter of the Count of Commarque (are you following?). During the Hundred Years’ War, the lord supposedly laid a trap for the beloved of his daughter, who died within the castle walls, sealing the fate of the horse’s phantom, which has appeared there since, on every full moon.

Another castle, another tale: with Brissac Castle (16,830 monthly searches), nicknamed the “giant of the Loire Valley.” Those who visit the site venture into the lair of the Green Lady, Charlotte of Valois, her true name, who was killed by her husband in 1477 after the discovery of her infidelity. Since then, she is said to haunt the castle’s walls day and night…

Tourism: Could Spain Overtake France as Early as 2027?


L’Espagne fonce vers le cap des 100 millions de touristes - Depositphotos

PONANT


On the football pitch as on the economy, Spain has outpaced France for several years now.

Tourism is one of the last pillars where France still holds a lead. But for how long will that last?

In a 2050 tourism report, Google predicted that Spain would become, by that time, the world’s leading tourist power, with 130 million visitors, compared to 125 million for France.

The Mountain View firm did not specify the exact date of the overtaking. That milestone could occur sooner than expected.

According to El País, the destination closed the best summer season in its history, with 44 million foreign travelers, more than the government in Spain had anticipated.


Spain races toward the 100-million-tourist milestone

In August alone, 12.3 million international visitors were welcomed.

According to the Spanish newspaper, the country should surpass the 100-million tourist threshold in 2026. For reference, France recorded 102 million international tourists in 2025.

But growth is not the same on either side of the Pyrenees.

While INSEE in France reports a 1.1% rise in summer overnight stays, i.e., 2.8 million more overnight stays than in 2025, the momentum is decidedly stronger in Madrid.

Even just for August, the number of foreign tourists rose by 9.2% in Spain. In France, international travelers did not advance over the past summer.

Between January and early September 2026, no fewer than 70.4 million foreign travelers visited Spain, up 5.4%. And Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, underscores the point.

At the WTTC Global Champion Award, he unveiled figures that should alarm Bercy.

“The sector is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2026, while international visitor spending should rise by 5.3%.

In 2025, Spain recorded $130.1 billion in international visitor spending, the highest level in Europe and the third in the world
“, reports a press release summarizing Jordi Hereu’s statements.


With such growth, at this pace, Spain could well move dangerously close to France by 2027, if not overtake it.

Even if, as a reminder, it remains extremely difficult for a European country to know the exact number of foreign travelers, since there are no border controls in Europe for European nationals.

New Caledonia: Tourism Recovery Hinges on Mainland France


Pour consolider le retour de la clientèle métropolitaine, Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme lancera le 1er octobre 2026 la deuxième vague de sa campagne « Notre cœur fait battre le vôtre ». @Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme

CroisiEurope


New Caledonia has come a long way. Two years after the May 2024 riots, the destination had regained, by the end of July 2026, around 60% of its 2023 visitor numbers. The rebound even reaches 70% on the metropolitan market.

These figures are still distant from the 126,000 visitors welcomed in 2023. But they reassure the professionals of New Caledonia’s tourism industry in their reconquest strategy.

Present at the IFTM, Julie Laronde, chief executive of Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme, had come to meet French professionals and try to understand why the archipelago still does not enjoy the position it believes it deserves in the market.

The immediate challenge is to recreate desirability around a destination whose image was durably affected by the events of 2024.

« It’s a long-term job », acknowledges Julie Laronde. The head also emphasizes the collective dimension of this revival, with the aim of delivering a unified message between the institutions and the private sector of the territory.


Une nouvelle campagne à partir du 1er octobre

France is among the three priority markets for New Caledonia, alongside Australia and New Zealand.

Pour consolider le retour de la clientèle métropolitaine, Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme lancera le 1er octobre 2026 la deuxième vague de sa campagne « Notre cœur fait battre le vôtre ».

Entièrement digitale, l’opération associera une campagne de notoriété à des offres commercialisées par des tour-opérateurs et à des ventes de prestations sèches.

Elle s’accompagnera cette fois d’un dispositif destiné à suivre plus précisément le parcours des internautes, de la découverte de la destination jusqu’aux clics vers les offres.

La campagne doit également profiter de l’amélioration de l’accessibilité aérienne. Aircalin relie Paris à Nouméa via Bangkok et doit dévoiler un tarif promotionnel le 1er octobre, au moment du lancement de l’opération.


La croisière cherche aussi à repartir

The revival hinges on cruise tourism as well. Created in 2025, the Club Croisière Nouvelle-Calédonie, of which Julie Laronde is vice-president, is working on the reopening of closed port calls and the development of new destinations in the archipelago.

The association is also preparing a five-year strategic plan. It aims to professionalize providers, support municipalities and implement an environmental charter as well as a quality label.

The ambition is twofold : better position New Caledonia among Pacific cruise destinations and ensure that the return of ships benefits the territories and their populations more.


Laurent Guéna Publié par Laurent Guéna Journaliste – TourMaG.com
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Ski Resorts: France Reclaims World No. 1 Spot


L la France retrouve la première place mondiale des destinations de ski - Depositpohotos.com @erstudio

CroisiEurope


With 56.1 million skier-days recorded during the 2025/2026 winter, France regains the world’s top spot among ski destinations.

Attendance rose by 2.4% year over year and by 6% compared to the average of the four most recent seasons.


This performance marks the third-best season ever for French resorts, behind the winters of 2008/2009 and 2012/2013.

The Alps and the Pyrenees made especially strong contributions to the national momentum. Compared with the previous winter, attendance rose by 4.5% in Haute-Savoie, by 5% in the Southern Alps, and by 9% in the Pyrenees.

To read: Skiing in France: the complete panorama and the key figures of 2025!

By contrast, the mid-mountain ranges experienced a more uneven season, with declines of 9% in the Massif Central, 12% in the Jura Mountains, and 5% in the Vosges compared with the previous winter.


Mountain: an early-season start and a dynamic January

Snow began falling as early as the end of November, enabling several areas to open in good conditions. After a temporary warm spell at Christmas in some massifs, the return of cold weather and fresh snow at the start of January fostered strong attendance.

The January interholiday period therefore posts a 3% year-over-year rise and a 9% increase compared with the four-winter average.

By February 6, national attendance was already 9% above this average.

The March interholiday recorded a 20% rebound compared with the previous winter, bringing attendance back to the four-year average level.

The spring holidays also climbed by 3%, with an Easter weekend that was especially energetic.

All told, the 56.1 million skier-days allow France to move ahead of Austria (53.7 million) and the United States (52.6 million). This marks the first time since the 2014/2015 winter that France has held the world No. 1 spot.


The mountains continue to rise in summer as well

The assessment by Domaines Skiables de France also reports a rise in summertime attendance.

During the core season, from July 4 to August 22, 2026, the mountain occupancy rate reached 65.8%, up 2.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the extended season, from June 13 to September 11, occupancy stood at 52.7%, one point higher than in 2025.

To read: Summer 2026: the mountains gain ground and discover their limits

The Pyrenees posted the highest rate, at 55.7%, followed by the Southern Alps at 52.3% and the Northern Alps at 50.8%.


Amelia Brille Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com
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