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France Heritage Pass: Visit 500 Heritage Monuments

September 19, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

This pass, which had been announced in June by Culture Minister Catherine Pégard, is being implemented on the occasion of Heritage Days, which take place on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. The objective is to “encourage more and more French people to discover their heritage” and to “generate resources thanks to these new visitors,” the Foundation stated in a press release.

Partner sites will receive on average 80% of their full price, it is specified. The future members of the Foundation “will be able to access renowned sites such as the Versailles Palace, the Chambord national domain, the Château de Fontainebleau, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Hospices de Beaune“, according to the press release.

Less well-known or more original sites will also be accessible, such as the Ernest Renan House (Côtes-d’Armor), the Château de Villandraut (Gironde), the Château de Javarzay (Deux-Sèvres) or the Four des Casseaux (Haute-Vienne). “There are on average five sites per department”, explains AFP’s Alexandre Giuglaris, the Foundation’s chief executive.

Passes adapted to different profiles

Four annual membership options are offered: €78 for one person, €114 for two people, €138 for a family with one adult, and €175 for a family with two adults.

The pass is notably aimed at “less affluent” audiences, according to Alexandre Giuglaris.

Ephemeral visits, conferences and concerts will also be proposed. The Foundation, founded in 1996, claims to have helped “save, restore and transmit more than 46,487 projects across metropolitan France and overseas.” It counted 1,500 members last year, before the launch of the pass.

Three New Parks in France: Tourism Boom or Ecological Conflict? The Debate

September 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

L'annonce des 3 nouveaux parcs "acte de décès de la France comme 1ère destination mondiale du tourisme durable" selon Rémy Knafou - Visuel généré par l'IA

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In recent years, and despite the success of Disneyland Paris, which has finally become profitable, France seemed to be losing ground in the appeal of theme parks.

Spain was equipping itself with a Puy du Fou, Germany was attracting a new Parc Astérix, while London rode the visibility of its Harry Potter park by announcing the creation of an Universal Studios by 2031.

Then Emmanuel Macron received Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, this Monday, August 24, 2026.

The President of the Republic did not linger on arms contracts, preferring to unveil the signing of a “framework agreement” that validates Saudi Arabia’s investment of six billion euros in France, for the construction of three theme parks… in Île-de-France.

“If we are still the world’s leading tourist destination, it’s thanks to Disneyland Paris, otherwise that would no longer be the case.

Strengthening this power is extremely smart. It is all the more so because we are well positioned geographically, Paris is the only major European metropolis and we have a large portion of mobility infrastructure.

This will shine a new light on Paris, and that’s very good“, remains optimistic Jean Viard, author of the book “The Book of Holidays… And What They Say About Us.”

“What would the headlines have been, if they had decided to invest in Spain ?”

And moreover, in Emmanuel Macron’s own words, cited by Libération, we are living a moment “without precedent, unlike anything since Disneyland Paris“.

On the other hand, a senior civil servant with a deep knowledge of tourism tempers the president’s enthusiasm a bit.

“Between the political announcement, with the 6 billion euros and the three parks, and what will actually happen, there could be a gap. The projects will be refined; it is a long process.

After that, we are still dealing with dimensions that are at least spectacular.

I understand investors, because profitability, image and prestige are in Paris, but this will concentrate tourism in a large region, Île-de-France, even if it radiates to Hauts-de-France“, says he.

According to this very knowledgeable industry insider, the first whispers began circulating at the top about a year ago.

So this announcement would not be smoke and mirrors, but a real project.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia is investing in France, but our country will continue to participate in the Kingdom’s development.

Alongside the discussions between the two leaders, the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA), chaired by Jean-Yves Le Drian, saw its contract extended to 2035 to continue building this new world destination. Soft power would thus be bilateral.

“I do not want to minimize the French government’s action in the ongoing search for investors, but this file is essentially led and pushed by the Saudis.

The Saudis have identified France as a priority country to invest in tourism and everything around culture, soft power, etc.

Contrary to what is said, France remains very attractive to investors.

Imagine what our discussion would have been like, and what the headlines would have been if they had decided to invest in Spain? It is still a positive point that they are considering investing here rather than elsewhere“, continues this person, who preferred to remain anonymous.

“The death certificate of France as the world’s leading destination for sustainable tourism”

Despite these endorsements, some voices rise against this still somewhat unclear project.

With the exception of the Dragon Ball Z park, which is expected to rise on the site of the ephemeral Mirapolis, closed only four years after its opening in 1991, nothing has leaked about the themes of the other sites.

“I believe more that this is a coup, taking advantage of an opportunity, rather than a proper policy. In any case, I see neither vision nor coherence, but only a willingness to do what can be done in the context we find ourselves in.

On the one hand, we do not really have a tourism policy, if the words have any meaning; on the other hand, everything happens as if climate warming did not exist.

This is a decision that could have been justified in the 20th century]i”, laments Rémy Knafou, geographer and author of the book “Hypertourism, Tourism Tested by Its Excess”.

This announcement naturally raises questions about its funding by a state not really respecting human rights overall, nor freedom of the press.

To read: Emmanuel Macron: “Become the first sustainable destination by 2030”

Moreover, this project runs counter to French aspirations, reaffirmed by Serge Papin, to make France the world’s leading sustainable destination. An accolade whose measurement remains unknown, even as our country seeks ever more international travelers.

“Thus, this is the official death certificate of the declared will to make France the world’s leading destination for sustainable tourism, because there are contradictions that cannot be hoped to overcome.

While I can understand that, given the budgetary situation we are in, one is not picky about the available solutions.

But then, we must stop banging on about sustainable tourism and admit that tourism is, for the State, merely a tool to rebalance the balance of payments and a crutch to compensate for macroeconomic policy mistakes“, denounces him.

“As soon as there are grand projects, everyone says they should not be done”, according to Jean Viard

These remarks align with those of Jean Pinard and many other players in institutional tourism.

For reminder, last year the Paris Île-de-France destination drew nearly 50 million visitors, including 23 million international visitors, out of the 102 million welcomed in France.

“On the subject of financing these parks and given the very limited means of the French State, it would be better to put them into hospitals, schools, research, thus into the essential missions of the State.

It must be clear, we would have dreamed of a structural project for our regions.

There exists, moreover, a point in favor of this investment: building on the Mirapolis site, which collapsed 35 years ago.

It is fallow. There is a need to awaken this place, which could be structuring for Val-d’Oise and northern Paris, but also for Hauts-de-France, I insist“”, this senior official asserts positively.

For Jean Viard, even more enthusiastic, it is important to celebrate these announcements.

Already, at the Aix-en-Provence Economic Meetings, the sociologist had drawn the audience’s attention, notably the many political leaders present, to the indispensable reinchantment of our future, in order to make it desirable and to give hope to the younger generations.

While the media regularly discuss a possible war with Russia, a global economic crisis, France’s decline or even AI that could replace many jobs, this announcement appears as a breath of fresh air.

“The great danger in France is that whenever there are grand projects, everyone says not to do them, for various reasons. The project will create many jobs, it will reuse a site that collapsed, this is sustainable tourism development.

We cannot live without pleasure, and a society lives around these moments of pleasure. Without that, it collapses. After that, we can try to ensure they have less environmental impact, or at least different kinds of impacts.

Then the previous big park is none other than Euro Disney, which, with modern technology, valorizes European tales of the 18th and 19th centuries. With Dragon Ball Z, we are in modernity, with a newer theme.

These are places of the future

“Competition with Disney and Astérix is a sensitive point”

The stubborn Gaul is also the first to praise amusement parks, whether in the Île-de-France region or beyond.

Are we moving toward a standardized tourism industry?

“The center of social bonding has shifted from work to leisure time. So, in a century, we have invented a whole range of activities, such as amusement parks. What draws people to these places is a complete product, family-friendly, that speaks to both parents and children. You can sleep there and eat there.

Moreover, these are safe places; that’s what is sold, a bit like holiday villages.

This will also help increase tourist revenues. The problem in France is that we have not managed to create activity around tourism. Americans have very few tourists, but it brings in twice as much money as ours.

We have not managed to modernize our facilities since the creation of ski and seaside resorts. We must shake all this up, even if it means with foreign capital“, analyzes Jean Viard.

Moreover, for the sociologist, this type of investment should also help bring cultures closer, offer greater openness to Saudi Arabia and, who knows, one day fight climate change, because it will be everyone’s business.

While we await that miracle, the construction of three new parks, in the direct orbit of Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix, raises questions for Dominique Hummel, former president of Futuroscope.

“The question of competition with Disney and Astérix is one of the sensitive points.

The project is evidently aimed at several million annual visitors. Certainly, the chosen positioning will likely target new audiences, grow the global market, and boost the attractiveness of the Île-de-France area.

Parks operate in an offer-driven economy! But there will also be cannibalization. And among the success factors, accessibility finally matters“, concludes the former executive of the Compagnie des Alpes.

France: Mountains Draw Tourists in Search of Cooler Weather

September 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

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According to the National Association of Mountain Resort Mayors (ANMSM), the French mountains recorded an occupancy rate of 65.8% for the summer season of 2026, a rise of 2.5 percentage points compared to summer 2025 and 5 percentage points compared to 2024.

The dynamics pertain especially to the two main months of the season, with 63.3% occupancy in July, up 3.6%, and 72% in August, up 1.1%.

The peak attendance was reached during the week of August 8, with an occupancy rate of 80.7%.

“The mountains are becoming a major tourist destination” according to Serge Papin

Beyond heat episodes, the ANMSM highlights the diversification of the resorts’ offerings, spanning sports, cultural and family activities, as well as hosting major events, such as stages of the Tour de France, festivals or competitions.

Holiday villages show a 3.3-point increase to 68.4%, while real estate agencies reach 50.6%, i.e. +3.5 points. The tourist residences, at 74.1%, and the hotels, at 67.9%, remain more stable.

In terms of mountain ranges, the Pyrenees register the strongest growth, with 69.8% occupancy, i.e. +4%. The Northern Alps reach 64.6%, up 2.3%, and the Southern Alps 66.8%, up 1.2%.

The French clientele accounts for 81.72% of holidaymakers. International visitors account for 18.28%, with the Dutch leading at 26%, ahead of the Belgians at 25%, and the British at 13%.

These figures complement those announced by Serge Papin.

The Minister of Commerce and Tourism was a guest on TF1, on Tuesday, August 25. He stated that France should “have a good season“, at least as good as, or better than, 2025.

“The mountains are becoming a major tourist destination“, he asserted, revealing that attendance there rose by 12% in July and 16% in August.

Tourism in France: Heatwaves, Foreign Tourists, and Purchasing Power

September 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Didier Arino sur le bilan de l'été du tourisme en France : "Sans le relais des clientèles étrangères, la situation aurait été très mauvaise. Au final, franchement, nous sommes dans le haut de la fourchette de ce que nous avions envisagé dans nos simulations" - Photo Protourisme

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TourMaG – We had spoken before the summer season, the economic context and the war in Ukraine suggested a difficult summer. On the eve of the return to school, what is tourism in France really like?

Didier Arino : If we look at the broad aggregates, the good news this year is that there were more foreigners visiting France, especially distant markets: Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans. Not more Brazilians, by the way, and I’m not sure why, nor Indians.

However, we welcomed more Koreans and Japanese. We also saw more Europeans: more Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and Belgians. For the British, I can’t give a clear read, as responses are quite mixed. They opted for destinations closer to home, along the Opal Coast, in Normandy… whereas in the South they were fewer.

An increased presence of Europeans and distant foreigners is good news for French tourism. There were also some French people who had planned to travel abroad but ended up staying in France. They contributed positively to French tourism this summer: we estimate them at roughly 700,000 to 800,000. This shows up in the drop in departures from travel agencies, even though agencies don’t represent the majority of travelers. There were also fewer French people traveling abroad, including those who organized trips themselves.

These French travelers helped cushion, to some extent, the drop in vacation departure intentions.

“The heatwave gave a boost to last-minute bookings”

TourMaG – Weather was at the center of headlines, with the heatwaves in particular. What role did it play in French decision-making?

Didier Arino : The heatwave actually had a boosting effect, contrary to what one might assume. It notably stimulated last-minute bookings, from people who hadn’t planned to depart and decided to go later. This concerns especially those with fewer constraints related to school holidays or peak periods, and who could no longer stand staying in cities.

This last-minute clientele was beneficial. It fed the coast, of course, but it also helped recover some of the delays seen in destinations like the Massif Central and accelerated mountain bookings.

We thus observed a good spread of flows across different space types, though there were clear losers: dry, waterless destinations that suffered during the heatwaves. Rural France, hot arid countryside, the results are more worrisome.

Destinations where cycling or nature activities in plains are popular took a hit, particularly in July. Canoe rental, houseboats, the itinerant cycling sector, and outdoor visiting sites all suffered substantially.

The heatwave and tighter purchasing power also impacted dining: roughly 60% of restaurateurs reported a downturn. This translated into stores that didn’t perform well and activity providers that faced difficulties.

TourMaG – Paris was particularly hit by the heatwave this summer; did this affect attendance?

Didier Arino : Regarding urban tourism, Paris is a special case because the capital relies heavily on international clientele. Paris fared relatively well.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie: two major regions with a lot of weight that are lagging

TourMaG – Did vacationers flee the South as some say because of this heatwave?

Didier Arino : On the Côte d’Azur, Nice fared very well, with a strong rise in foreign clientele. Marseille also performed very well in terms of bookings. When I hear that people fled the South, I react! No, they did not flee the South; they fled the heatwave.

In the South, there are also areas like the Pyrenees. To my knowledge, the Pyrenees are in the South, and they recorded very good bookings compared to previous years and to the average.

Of course, the coastal stations of the Pyrénées-Orientales and especially the interior territories were impacted. Occitanie was affected, as was Hérault. But some resorts held up well, such as La Grande-Motte, for example.

Two large regions with substantial weight are lagging: Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie. And when Normandy rises by 5%, that isn’t enough to offset the declines recorded in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie, which weigh more heavily. I don’t yet know what the final figures will look like.

TourMaG – If we look at accommodation categories, is the overall picture uniform?

Didier Arino : In terms of overnight stays, they are down in the rental sector. Why? Because these are customers who ended up traveling less. The drop in overnight stays stems from people whose purchasing power is constrained: when people travel shorter durations and there are fewer travelers, it rarely translates into more nights.

For camping, it will be roughly stable, especially thanks to foreign visitors. This assessment isn’t final yet since September remains, but we should be moving toward a fairly stable trend, perhaps with fewer French and more foreigners. As for consumption, campsites saw higher demand for bare pitches rather than mobil homes.

Hotels, on the other hand, performed fairly well, boosted by growing foreign clientele, but also because a portion of French people who did not travel abroad chose hotels. Those with greater purchasing power are more likely to stay in hotels.

Finally, the situation is more varied for some holiday villages and certain tourist residences. It depends on the establishment, but we aren’t seeing a dramatic surge either.

To summarize, tourist accommodation will have a decent summer, even better than feared: the number of overnight stays is expected to fall around -2% in July-August, which isn’t dramatic. We’ve managed to limit the damage.

With a slightly smaller audience, it could indeed have been a catastrophe. Without the support of foreign clientele, the situation would have been very bad. In the end, frankly, we are at the high end of what we had anticipated in our simulations. We are at the maximum of what could be imagined, even if it is not thriving for sure.

“The sociology of tourism inevitably evolves things”

TourMaG – And what about the mountains, which seem to have stood out, with travelers seeking coolness…

Didier Arino : Since the Covid period, mountains are on the rise again, and that’s a good thing. You can see it by visiting mountain resorts. But it depends on which mountains we’re talking about. Mountains with lakes, places that offer more freshness, have indeed performed well. It has been a good season for the mountains, which also benefited from an uptick in foreign attendance.

Regarding the quest for freshness, it’s important to recall that summer vacationers primarily seek sun, warmth—not extreme heat—and water.

When it rains, vacationers don’t think: “Fantastic, it’s cool and it’s raining!” That’s a construct of some journalists!

TourMaG – Is traveler behavior evolving?

Didier Arino : The sociology of tourism inevitably reshapes things. We are seeing fewer families and more seniors. About half of vacationers today are over 50. Retirees, for instance, keep their grandchildren and can travel at times other than July and August.

The peak season concerns only the 15 days of August when companies are closed. But in July, vacationers know they can easily find space and pay less. This year, due to purchasing power constraints, there was a kind of cat-and-mouse game, a yo-yo effect: I book, I cancel, I find a good deal, or I fear bad weather…

Ghislain Domi, VP GetGoing (BCD): France Set to Be One of Our Major Growth Contributors

September 16, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

GetGoing, la plateforme de gestion des voyages d'affaires et des dépenses dédiée aux PME de BCD Travel est disponible en France depuis début 2026. @getgoing

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TourMaG.com – BCD launched GetGoing on the French market at the start of the year. What is it about? Where is its deployment at?

Ghislain Domi : GetGoing was launched in Germany in 2022 and in the United States in 2023. We began rolling it out gradually in France at the start of the year, as well as in the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands.

We wanted to test the platform on the French market before communicating more broadly. Early feedback has been positive and IFTM represents a new milestone to accelerate this launch.

Growing companies reach a moment where travel management becomes too complex. They book on different sites, use Excel spreadsheets for their expenses, and assistants often have to manage travel alongside many other tasks.

Once a company reaches a certain size, they need to gain efficiency and take back control of their spending. GetGoing enables centralization of bookings, provides visibility into expenses, and reduces the administrative burden.

We also target companies that have already worked with TMCs, but for whom the tools and traditional processes have become too heavy. In such cases, their need is more about simplifying management.

TourMaG.com – GetGoing targets SMEs. Simplicity is therefore one of the platform’s main selling points?

Ghislain Domi : Absolutely. I have been in business travel for almost 20 years and have largely started with implementations of international programs. I’ve seen firsthand what can block these projects.

We wanted to approach the problem from the opposite angle: instead of shortening the implementation, we aimed to eliminate it. With GetGoing, there is no traditional implementation in the classic sense.

We can create a new client in a few minutes. Once the legal information is provided, building the base needed to start booking takes one to two hours maximum.

Of course, some topics can extend the process. A company that does not yet have a travel policy, for instance, can benefit from GetGoing deployment to define one. We can assist, but that inevitably takes more time.

“GetGoing and other BCD offerings are complementary”

Ghislain Domi est le Vice-President de GetGoing. @getgoing

TourMaG.com – Is the platform aimed only at travel managers?

Ghislain Domi : One of the goals is precisely to give travelers more control. We offer mobile apps on iOS and Android, and the idea is to cover the entire process, both for the traveler and the company.

The journey does not end when the employee returns home. Expenses, expense reports, and budget tracking must then be managed. We want to cover the end-to-end process.

TourMaG.com – Could GetGoing eventually compete with the other BCD Travel solutions?

Ghislain Domi : GetGoing and the other BCD offerings are complementary.

When a client grows or their program becomes more complex, they may need more customization, specific integrations, or customized processes. In that case, they can move toward TripSource.

We thus think less in terms of company size and more in terms of needs. GetGoing must remain a simple and effective solution for companies that primarily seek smoothness.

Air France NDC available in September

TourMaG.com – What role does artificial intelligence play in the platform?

Ghislain Domi : We are fairly selective. Our priority remains to keep a simple platform. We won’t add AI just for the sake of AI.

We use it where it provides real value, notably for receipt capture and expense reports. The traveler can take a photo of the receipt and the expense report is automatically prefilled. However, validation remains human.

AI also contributes to personalizing search results. For a flight, for example, it can determine the order in which the offers appear. But no algorithm will hide offers: we do not remove anything, we only adjust the hierarchy.

TourMaG.com – What adaptations did you have to make for the French market?

Ghislain Domi : The main adaptation obviously involves SNCF. We already had Deutsche Bahn in Germany and UK Rail in the United Kingdom. To offer a credible France-based offer, we had to include SNCF.

We are also working on Air France’s NDC. The feature is already in testing, and we are finalizing the last elements. It should be available by September.

“Around a hundred clients worldwide.”

« GetGoing représente un véritable relais de croissance pour BCD en général et pour BCD France en particulier », affirme Ghislain Domi, Vice-President de GetGoing. @getgoing

TourMaG.com – What will be the next evolutions?

Ghislain Domi : We have a very busy road map, with several years of development ahead of us.

By the end of the year, we will particularly strengthen Travel Risk Management. We already have a map showing where travelers are located. We will develop the entire portion related to reporting, tracking, disruptions, and risk-event management.

We are also actively collecting feedback from customers to bring about regular optimizations.

Next year, we will also develop new offerings in payments, a topic that is particularly important for SMEs, and significantly strengthen the Expense module. This will include integrating credit card data, more connections with third-party systems, and greater end-to-end process automation.

TourMaG.com – How many clients are using GetGoing today?

Ghislain Domi : We have around a hundred clients worldwide.

We don’t primarily measure by client count but by business volume. Our objective is to surpass 100 million euros in business volume by 2030. We’re on a solid trajectory to reach that.

TourMaG.com – What ambition for France?

Ghislain Domi : The French market is still very small since we have just launched there. But it will be one of the major contributors to GetGoing’s growth.

Historically, BCD did not address this market directly in France. There is therefore a lot to do and enormous potential. GetGoing represents a real growth lever for BCD in general and for BCD France in particular.

TourMaG.com – Could GetGoing be deployed in other countries?

Ghislain Domi : For now, nothing has been decided. There are ideas and we will discuss them soon, but nothing has been decided or funded yet.

Future developments may not be limited to Europe. We already know how to serve the European subsidiaries of a client, even in countries where we have not yet launched commercially in a proactive manner.

Publié par Caroline Lelievre Journaliste – TourMaG.com
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France Tourism: International Tourists Continue to Arrive as French Budgets Tighten

September 16, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Following a drop in bookings and a period of hesitation tied to the Middle East war triggered at the end of February, the balance at this stage appears “solid,” despite a difficult economic environment, said Serge Papin at the IFTM travel industry trade fair, which opened its doors on Tuesday in Paris.

“International air arrivals are still rising this summer, notably thanks to long-haul travelers”, the tourism minister told reporters. Mexican visitor arrivals rose 14% in July year on year and those of American visitors by 3%. The data for the entire summer have not yet been published. From January to the end of July, international tourism receipts reached €49.5 billion, up 3.7% in July alone compared to 2025.

In these conditions, “we can reasonably anticipate that international tourism will generate this year more than €80 billion in receipts”, emphasized Christian Mantei, president of the government agency Atout France, at the conference. Last year, it generated €77.5 billion in receipts.

The French Are Hesitant

The situation is more mixed for French clientele. According to the ministry, in July and August the departure rate of French residents on the territory fell by five percentage points year on year, to 59%. It remains stable when including June and September, at 72%, the ministry notes.

“The French had to make more trade-offs in their spending, particularly with regard to dining, activities, and souvenir purchases”, acknowledged the minister. According to a study published Tuesday by ADN Tourisme, which federates tourism offices, 62% of vacationers felt the need to curb their on-site expenditures. Tourism remains, however, an “essential need” for the French, who are increasingly traveling outside peak seasons, asserted Serge Papin.

Réseau Action Climat recently published a study urging the government to prioritize French and European tourists. “The move up-market of the tourism offer, conceived first for international tourists, is coming at the expense of the less wealthy French tourists”, he reacted in a press release on Tuesday.

Air France Opens New 500-Square-Meter Lounge at Frankfurt Airport

September 14, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Air France inaugure un nouveau salon de 500 m² à l'aéroport de Francfort - Photo Air France wings architects

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Air France franchit une nouvelle étape dans le déploiement de ses standards d’accueil avec l’ouverture, ce 1er septembre 2026, de son tout nouveau salon à l’aéroport international de Francfort.

Aménagée au sein du Terminal 3 inauguré au printemps dernier, cette infrastructure de près de 500 m² propose près de 120 places assises pour recevoir les clients Business et les membres Flying Blue Elite Plus d’Air France, de KLM et de l’alliance SkyTeam.

Accessible quotidiennement de 5h à 21h30, le salon s’organise autour de plusieurs zones distinctes destinées au repos, au travail ou à la restauration. Les usagers disposent d’un espace de travail équipé d’une cabine acoustique, d’un coin relaxation en retrait, ainsi que d’équipements connectés comprenant des bornes d’éligibilité à l’entrée, un accès Wi-Fi gratuit, des prises électriques et USB, et une offre de presse numérique via l’application de la compagnie.

Le salon intègre également un espace réservé exclusivement aux membres du programme Flying Blue Ultimate pour leur garantir davantage d’intimité. Cet investissement s’inscrit en soutien de l’activité opérationnelle du transporteur français sur la plateforme allemande, où il assure jusqu’à cinq liaisons quotidiennes vers son hub de Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

« A moment of calm and French refinement before the flight », souligne la compagnie à l’occasion de l’inauguration de cet espace opéré en partenariat avec Global Lounge Network. Conçu avec l’agence MARKS, le lieu offre une vue panoramique sur les pistes et intègre le mobilier de designers français comme Pierre Paulin et Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec.

A dining offer focused on French know-how and sustainable development

At the heart of the setup, the fifty-seat dining area offers a menu of savory, sweet and vegetarian dishes refreshed throughout the day. The menu highlights French specialties, accompanied by a selection of wines, champagnes and local beers.

In terms of operational management of the site, procurement prioritizes locally sourced and seasonal products. The company also notes that it implements measures to reduce food waste and to sort and recycle all waste generated by the dining service.

Airbnb Expands Its Offerings in France with Three New Services

September 8, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Airbnb enrichit son offre en France avec trois nouveaux services - Depositphotos.com @lucidwaters

Hurtigruten

Airbnb continues to broaden its offering in France.

The platform now provides three new services directly from its app: luggage storage, car rental, and private airport transfers. The stated aim is to simplify the organization of the stay, going beyond merely booking accommodation.

With these new features, Airbnb seeks to address several logistical constraints that travelers may encounter before, during or after their stay.

The platform relies on three specialized partners for this: Bounce for luggage storage, CarTrawler for car rental and Welcome Pickups for airport transfers.

According to a study conducted by Airbnb with Focaldata, 53 % of travelers report having needed a luggage storage service in the past twelve months. In France, 96 % of travelers who have already used this type of service consider it very useful.

A luggage storage service offered in several French destinations

Airbnb now allows you to book a luggage storage directly from its app, thanks to its partnership with Bounce.

The service grants access to more than 24,600 drop-off points spread across more than 800 cities worldwide, representing a 350 % increase since its official launch in May.

In France, the offer is notably available in the Alpes-Maritimes, the Aude, the Calvados, Cannes, Côte-d’Or, Finistère, Haut-Rhin, Hendaye, Lille, Montpellier, Nancy and Metz, Nantes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Pyrénées-Orientales, as well as Reims and the Sarthe.

Travelers can reserve a space for a few hours or several days to drop off their luggage before arriving at their accommodations or after departure. For eligible bookings, an automatic 15 % discount is applied.

Car rental integrated into the app

Another novelty: car rental. Airbnb has partnered with CarTrawler to enable travelers to compare and book a vehicle directly from the platform, anywhere in France.

According to the study conducted by Focaldata for Airbnb, 84 % of travelers find the ability to book a rental car alongside their lodging to be useful. This share reaches 44 % for French travelers who rate this option as “very useful.”

On their first eligible booking, users can receive an Airbnb credit equal to 20 %, usable later for certain stays, experiences, or services offered on the platform. Discounts up to 20 % are also available with some rental partners.

Private transfers from several airports

Airbnb completes its offering with private transfers from airports, in partnership with Welcome Pickups. The service allows you to book your trip ahead of time. The ride is confirmed in advance and a driver is arranged upon the traveler’s arrival.

In France, this feature is currently available in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, as well as Lille, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes, and Strasbourg. Depending on the destination, discounts of up to 20 % may be applied.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
See all articles by Amelia Brille

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Tourisme Montréal Launches Its ‘Next Season in Montreal’ Campaign in France

September 6, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Tourisme Montréal déploie sa campagne « Prochaine saison à Montréal » - Depositphotos.com, Alpegor6

TAP Air Portugal

To boost tourist traffic during the cold season, Tourism Montréal engages the French market with a creative concept that pits the “Team Chill” (relax) against the “Team Thrill” (sensation).

This initiative, rolled out internationally to priority North American and European markets, aims to deconstruct the image of a restrictive winter and turn it into a compelling urban attraction argument for French travelers.

The organization thus seeks to highlight the contrasts of the metropolis through 30-second videos and short formats broadcast on digital and streaming platforms, inviting visitors to become active participants in their stay.

A reality-TV-inspired communication strategy

In continuation of its summer setup, the campaign borrows from the mechanics of reality TV shows, such as confessions, competition, and team-based rivalries, to theme the travel itineraries.

On the relaxation side, the promotion highlights local gastronomy, museums, urban spas, and neighborhood spots under the snow.

On the thrill side, the emphasis is on outdoor activities, winter festival programming, outdoor art installations, and nightlife.

The objective is not to create a true clash, but to illustrate the complementarity of experiences accessible within a single day in the city.

A media plan targeted at Île-de-France and the Lyon region through December

The campaign in France runs from September 2 to the end of December 2026, with priority targeting of the Île-de-France and Lyon catchment areas.

The media buy relies on high-audience outlets and digital channels to reach urban audiences seeking cultural, gastronomic, and exotic getaways.

By reaffirming that the metropolis “never hibernates,” Tourism Montréal aims to consolidate visitor flows across all four seasons and maintain visibility in the French market throughout the autumn-winter period.

José Antonio Benedicto Iruiñ Appointed Spain’s Tourism Advisor in France

September 6, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

José Antonio Benedicto Iruiñ nouveau Conseiller au Tourisme de l'Espagne en France - , photo de l'office du tourisme d'Espagne

TAP Air Portugal

The Spanish Tourism Office in Paris is adjusting its leadership with the appointment of José Antonio Benedicto Iruiñ.

Former Advisor on Education Abroad across several strategic markets (the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Poland), he succeeds María José Gómez Gómez.

This leadership change sits within the continuity of efforts aimed at maintaining close ties with the French tourism network. “His international experience, gained in several strategic markets (…) constitutes a major asset for this new responsibility,” states the official body, as Spain remains the top foreign destination choice for French travelers.

With experience in the Spanish high administration and an international career in London, New York, Beijing and Warsaw, his mission will be to consolidate Spain’s position as the leading tourist destination for the French and to strengthen partnerships with institutional and professional players in the sector.

Maintaining institutional and professional collaborations between France and Spain

In the framework of his new responsibilities at the Paris representation, José Antonio Benedicto Iruiñ now oversees all promotional and diplomatic tourism actions of the organization.

His main mission is to anchor the image of a diverse and sustainable Spain by highlighting alternative offers such as heritage, artisanal crafts, rural tourism, and natural spaces, in order to encourage rediscovery of the territory.

The new director must also ensure that Spain remains the leading international destination for French travelers, while adapting communication levers to the market’s new expectations regarding digitalization, decarbonization, and the desaisonnalisation of flows.

To achieve this, he is focused on intensifying strategic partnerships across the entire French distribution chain, from tour operators to agency networks, including air and rail carriers.

The five-year track record of María José Gómez Gómez

This transition arrives at the end of a five-year mandate marked by managing the Covid-19 crisis, the rebound of tourist flows, and the emergence of sustainability and digitalization issues.

During this period, María José Gómez Gómez’s strategy focused on diversifying the destination’s image, encouraging visitors to rediscover the country through new cultural and territorial perspectives.

This promotional policy unfolded across several cross-cutting themes, such as botanical heritage, journeys around artisanal crafts, and the strengthening of the network of Spanish villages.

This orientation aimed to renew travelers’ perceptions of the territory, in line with the institutional campaign: “Do you know Spain? Think again.”