Group Archives - Com Namibia

European Camping Group: Aims to Surpass €1 Billion Quickly

July 24, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

European Camping Group : "Nous voulons rapidement dépasser le milliard d’euros" - Photo ECG

CroisiEurope

TourMaG – How is the 2026 season unfolding for European Camping Group (ECG) ?

Sébastien Manceau : The season is generally going quite well, but it is marked by significant uncertainty. This uncertainty seems mainly linked to the situation in Iran, with a double effect. On one hand, it pushes part of our customers to stay closer to home and thus favor Europe, which could be favorable for us. On the other hand, there is pressure on fuel prices, on inflation, and above all a fear of a renewed inflation, which makes consumers very cautious.

Today, the early season is good: the May weekends are performing very well, Ascension was full and Pentecost looks promising as well. By contrast, the peak season remains more uncertain. We are a bit behind last year. For the last two or three months, we have mainly observed that it is the coming weeks that are filling up.

There is therefore a scenario where the season will be very good if bookings accelerate in the coming weeks. And another scenario, less dynamic but not disastrous either. The real question is about July-August.

The season marked by strong uncertainty

TourMaG – Does the post-season offer more visibility?

Sébastien Manceau : Yes, September is very good. We have a sizable German clientele, representing between 12% and 15% of the group’s customers, and this clientele books a lot for September.

Moreover, every year September advances. July tends to be tougher while September becomes excellent. The uncertainty really concerns August.

But we are moderately worried: customers want to go on vacation and we still have good stock, with nice mobile homes on beautiful campsites. The question will mainly be about price, in a context where purchasing power remains under pressure.

TourMaG – Do behaviors differ according to European markets?

Sébastien Manceau : We are observing broadly the same attitude across countries. In recent weeks, German customers are performing particularly well, as are British customers. By contrast, French customers have been somewhat weaker for about a month and a half to two months.

On destinations, France was fairly ahead but is now lagging a little, mainly because it depends heavily on French clients. Italy, which was lagging, is performing very well again. Spain has been doing well for several years.

Croatia, which was very dynamic a few years ago, is cooling a bit since joining the euro, with price increases pushing some clients to make different choices.

TourMaG – Can the move upmarket in camping become a brake in an inflationary context?

Sébastien Manceau : We do not think so. On the contrary, inflation makes camping proportionally more attractive than other types of accommodation such as holiday residences or vacation clubs.

At ECG, we mainly cover segments 3 to 5 stars, with a very strong presence in 4- and 5-star. What we observe is that 4- and 5-star campsites are gaining market share every year, both over other campsites and over other types of accommodation.

I’m talking more about moving up in comfort than about moving up in prestige. Clients want more space, bigger mobile homes, higher-quality infrastructures. This is an evolution that we see across tourism for decades.

Consolidation: “Southern Europe is a priority”

TourMaG – You acquired the Spanish group Alannia in 2025. Is Spain a safe bet?

Sébastien Manceau : Spain is indeed a safe bet. Our aim is to consolidate our position as the only truly pan-European camping operator.

We were already present in Spain with around forty destinations, but we wanted to strengthen. Alannia comprises five campsites and 2,700 pitches, with very high-quality products located near Alicante, not on the Costa Brava as many players do.

These are year-round campsites, with a management team that has demonstrated real know-how. The idea is clearly to continue our development in Spain.

TourMaG – What are now your priority target markets?

Sébastien Manceau : Southern Europe is a priority. We want to continue to grow in Spain and Italy, even though we remain open to other opportunities.

The market remains extremely fragmented. In France, there are still about 7,400 campsites and only about a thousand belong to groups. There are therefore many consolidation opportunities.

“Our objective is to carry out between five and ten acquisitions per year”

TourMaG – Growth mainly through acquisitions?

Sébastien Manceau : Greenfield growth is virtually impossible, especially in France. I would be unable to name more than two or three new campsites created in the last ten years.

There are therefore two levers left: acquisitions and organic growth. Last year, we completed 13 acquisitions, including five via Alannia. This year, we are already at five, soon to be six.

Our objective is to execute between five and ten acquisitions per year. And at the same time, we continue to invest heavily in our existing portfolio.

TourMaG – What does direct distribution represent for your group?

Sébastien Manceau : Direct sales account for more than 90% of our activity, precisely 91%. Intermediaries represent only 9%, mainly specialists like Camping.com or Maeva.

We also use Booking.com marginally, for example for atypical products or certain clienteles we reach less easily.

The rest is distributed via our websites, our call centers, the CSE, and our own OTA. Mastering this distribution is extremely important to us.

Publié par Céline Eymery Rédactrice en Chef – TourMaG.com
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Categories World News Tags Aims, Billion, Camping, European, Group, Quickly, Surpass

Air France Cuts Off Access to Non-IATA Group Bookings

July 23, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

It’s a fresh blow for agencies specializing in group travel.

After SNCF and the suspension of its dedicated groups portal, it’s Air France’s turn to restrict, starting July 1, 2026, access to its TIGRE Web platform to only IATA-accredited agencies. A decision that could penalize many independent group organizers.

According to several testimonies collected on the HelpDesk of Tourism Pros, non-IATA agencies have recently been informed by email that they must now hold an IATA accreditation to continue accessing the company’s B2B site.

In a letter sent to agencies at the start of last week, Air France explains that this evolution is part of “a process of structuring and securing the group reservation procedures for the Company.”

The company also specifies that this evolution aims to “guarantee usage in line with its financial standards.”

For part of the sector, this announcement sounds like a real hammer blow.

“All those involved in group travel who are non-IATA are affected,” sums up a professional in the field.

In the crosshairs for these agencies: a loss of flexibility and responsiveness.

In practice, many agencies specialized in group travel already work with partner issuing agencies for ticketing, without necessarily holding an IATA license themselves or a GDS such as Amadeus, Sabre or Galileo.

Until now, they nonetheless retained operational access to the B2B platform : checking availability, blocking seats, managing cases, adding passengers or price simulations.

“I manage the file from A to Z. I do all the work: I search for flights, I look at the fares, I block the reservations, I handle seat allocations and filling in passport details, birth dates… then once everything is managed I email Air France asking them to transfer my file to the issuing agency. There, I will no longer have any control over anything”

The goal for these agencies: a loss of flexibility and responsiveness.

“We will become dependent on an issuing agency. Our request will be processed when they can, sometimes several hours later. And we will no longer be able to book flights as soon as they open,” testimonies another agency manager who sometimes logs in in the middle of the night at the opening of sales to benefit from the best rates. “If we are not reactive, yield fares rise quickly.”

“On some group cases, I sometimes spend several hours searching for what matches a client’s request,” adds another group organizer, “it’s something you cannot ask of an intermediary.”

How to obtain IATA accreditation and access to a GDS by July 1?

On paper, the agencies concerned can still apply for an IATA accreditation. But in practice, it seems impossible to obtain accreditation, even for the first level (GoLite) and to train the teams before the July 1, 2026 deadline.

Obtaining the precious credential is not limited to a simple administrative membership. “You need accreditation but also access to a GDS, with the training that goes with it for two people in ticketing,” explains this agency manager, not to mention that all this comes at a cost.

“Financially, I cannot hire someone to manage emissions,” adds a leader.

As for issuing tickets directly through Air France, the agencies we interviewed lament higher tariffs than those charged by partner agencies.

Some group organizers also fear a monopolistic effect and/or bottlenecks at the issuing agencies, at a time when operators are selling groups for 2027.

On the side of Enterprises of Travel, Valérie Boned, President of the employers’ union, is surprised not to have been informed in advance of this decision: “Since then we have contacted Air France. We asked them to reconsider their position and at least give more time to agencies to undertake the necessary steps. They assured me they are working on the subject. I am hopeful that the company will postpone at least its decision to September 1.”

A situation all the more delicate as commercial validations take longer, especially on the CSE side, in an economic and geopolitical context that pushes many clients to delay committing.

In general, airline group policies are tightening.

“In recent years, it was clear that group conditions were hardening,” explains a professional interviewed by TourMaG.

For example, reservation windows have been shortened, sometimes from a month to only fourteen days to confirm a group. These strategies have also been implemented by other airlines, such as TAP Portugal or Lufthansa.

Contacted by us, Air France declined to comment.

Published by Céline Eymery Editor-in-Chief – TourMaG.com
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Categories World News Tags Access, Air, Bookings, Cuts, France, Group, NonIATA

S4BT (CDS Group) Acquires HotelHub

July 18, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The S4BT Group, a specialist in business travel, has just acquired Travel Centric Technology, the London-based parent company of HotelHub, a hotel technology platform serving international corporate travel agencies.

This supplier is “specialized in consolidating fragmented hotel content from centralized distribution systems (GDS) and non-GDS sources within a single operating environment,” S4BT said in a press release.

“Its platform is integrated into the workflows of major international corporate travel agencies and handles complex and high-volume hotel transactions.”

With this acquisition, the Group now represents eight brands specializing in business travel: CDS, Goelett, Corporate Rates Club (CRC), TMS, SIAP, Methodica, Trevium and HotelHub and offers a business hotel service integrated across all TMCs, based on interoperable platforms and open APIs.

“Our ambition is clear: to build the most integrated and technologically advanced business travel platform,” said Ziad Minkara, founder and CEO of the S4BT group in this press release.

“The acquisition of HotelHub marks a decisive step in this direction. It propels S4BT into a new dimension, strengthens our position and ensures a solid presence in the United Kingdom. It is not a finality, but a foundation on which we will continue to invest, integrate and develop our solutions.”

More than 60,000 hotel reservations per day

HotelHub thus enables S4BT to extend its presence in the United Kingdom, but also to increase the Group’s engineering capabilities, with 50% of the workforce (out of the Group’s 700 employees) now dedicated to technological and product development.

Moreover, HotelHub’s hotel infrastructure will be integrated into S4BT’s reservation platforms, payment solutions and electronic invoicing tools, “providing better operational control and added value to corporate travel agencies and client companies.”

The innovation efforts, notably in AI-driven rate optimization, automated reconciliation and analysis of hotel performance, should improve revenue quality and the operational efficiency of partner corporate travel agencies.

Finally, this integration will enable S4BT to process more than $5 billion in annual hotel reservations and more than 60,000 hotel bookings per day, thanks to access to more than 2 million properties worldwide.

Read also: CDS launches S4BT, Solutions for Business Travel: a European champion in corporate travel

Categories World News Tags Acquires, CDS, Group, HotelHub, S4BT

Flight Centre Travel Group: Profit Rises in H1 FY2026

July 18, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) unveiled on February 26 solid financial results for the half-year ended December 31, 2025. Underlying profit before tax (UPBT) stood at AUD 124.6 million (EUR 75.07 million), up 4% from the prior year (AUD 119.7 million or EUR 72.11 million).

The group’s Corporate division, led by the FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller brands, continues to set records in terms of business volume (TTV = Total Transaction Value=), according to a group press release.

In Europe, the momentum is particularly striking, notably thanks to the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

Steve Norris, Chief Executive of FLT for the EMEA region, notes: « The solid expansion of FCM Meetings and Events has paved the way, the United Kingdom posting a year-on-year increase of 46 %. This success reflects the stability and reliability of FCM’s service delivery, underscored by its strongest post-COVID performance in terms of SLA (Service Level Agreement). »

“There are opportunities for well-positioned players”

These results are driven notably by artificial intelligence and innovation. « This is not about making people work harder. It is about working smarter through AI-based tools and streamlined processes that free up our consultants to focus on complex and high-value client engagements », explains Chris Galanty, Global Head of Corporate at Flight Centre Travel Group.

The group is betting on its proprietary technology platforms, notably Melon and FCM Booking (backed by the Whereto technology), to streamline the client experience.

Today, 10 % of FCM’s global revenue comes from events, payment solutions and advisory services.

As the corporate travel sector enters a period of intense consolidation, Chris Galanty is taking an offensive stance:

« New players disrupt traditional models. (…) This creates opportunities for well-positioned players – and we are seizing them with a strong portfolio of new accounts and high retention. »

With Asia back in profitability and a 13 % growth in the SME segment in the United States, Flight Centre Travel Group, the company approaches the second half of 2026 with clearly expressed confidence.

Categories World News Tags Centre, Flight, FY2026, Group, Profit, Rises, TRAVEL

Minor Hotel Group to Strengthen Ties with Travel Agencies

July 8, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The Minor hotel group aims to strengthen its ties with the B2B distribution sector.

To this end, it has launched the Minor PRO Agencies program, a new digital initiative aimed at travel agencies wishing to collaborate with Minor Hotels through a flexible, fully digital solution integrated into Minor PRO, its professional services platform.

The main advantage of this program lies in an evolving commission structure designed “to directly improve agencies’ profitability as they grow their production via minor-pro.com”.

The program comprises four levels: Explorer, Champion, Icon and Legend, offering increasing benefits according to production volume.

Beyond the enhanced commission opportunities, the program relies on a platform with a simplified interface and booking process, real-time availability, and flexible payment options, in order “to offer a modern experience tailored to the needs of independent agencies,” according to a press release.

Des avantages pour les clients mais aussi pour les agents …

Members also benefit from additional advantages, including faster commission payments, access to all public rates and promotions, and the full range of available room categories.

The program also includes benefits dedicated to the agents themselves, such as up to 50% off their personal stays via a special rate, as well as exclusive member-only promotions.

Agents also enjoy privileged access to Minor DISCOVERY rates (Minor Hotels’ loyalty program), allowing end clients to accumulate DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), thereby strengthening the combined value proposition of distribution and loyalty.

Registration for the Minor PRO Agencies program is free and can be completed in a few minutes on minor-pro.com. The program is accessible to agencies booking for their clients as well as to agents’ personal travel.

… et sa marque Anantara fête 25 ans de luxe experientiel

The launch of this new tool aligns with the evolution of Minor Hotels (640 Hotels, Resorts and branded residences in 66 countries), which now positions itself as a brand with a B2C and B2B approach, backed by 40 years of experience and numerous hotel brands among which Anantara.

Just recently, Anantara Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the launch of a global campaign titled “25 Years of Unforgettable Journeys.”

In a quarter of a century, this brand has progressed from a single resort in Thailand to an international portfolio of more than 50 hotels and resorts spread across 24 countries.

Anantara Hotels & Resorts was founded in 2001 by William Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, the parent company of Minor Hotels.

Its aim was to create a brand inviting cultural discovery through design inspired by local know-how, cuisine anchored in each destination, and distinctive experiences.

The name Anantara, derived from Sanskrit and meaning “endless,” is intended to evoke discovery, openness to new horizons, and the celebration of travel as a way of life.

Publié par Paula Boyer Head of LuxuryTravelMaG – TourMaG.com
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Categories World News Tags Agencies, Group, Hotel, Minor, Strengthen, Ties, TRAVEL

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

June 23, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

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.

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

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 ?

Calafell Evasion, Espagne et Portugal

[email protected]

(+34) 977 37 30 15

Website

Categories World News Tags Calafell, Change, Charge, Context, Drive, Evasion, Global, Group, Reclaims, Takes, TRAVEL, Uncertain

Itinerea Group: Calafell Evasion Rebrands to Support Its Growth

June 19, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

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

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.

Categories World News Tags Calafell, Evasion, Group, Growth, Itinerea, Rebrands, Support

VOX Group Propels Guided Tours into a New Era with AI

June 16, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

In a tourism sector undergoing rapid transformation, where travelers seek ever more immersive, seamless, and personalized experiences, VOX Group has established itself as one of the most innovative technology players on the global market. For nearly twenty-five years, the group has been developing guidance and cultural discovery solutions that redefine how visitors explore cities, museums, heritage sites and major international events. Present in over 150 countries, VOX Group is today recognized as a global reference in guiding technologies, connected tourist experiences, and innovation in service of culture.

The group brings together several complementary brands: VOX, specializing in group tours and audio-guide solutions; Vox City, dedicated to autonomous itineraries for connected travelers; and Sycomore, expert in multimedia solutions and cultural mediation for museums and artistic institutions. Next-generation audiophones, multilingual content, interactive mapping, mobile applications and now AI-powered simultaneous translation: the technologies developed by VOX accompany today’s tour operators, cruise lines, museums, destinations and event organizers in creating experiences that are increasingly immersive, accessible and connected.

VOX Audiophones, a Global Benchmark for Guided Tours

The core of VOX Group rests on its audiophone systems, which have become a global benchmark for group tours. Designed to meet the demands of modern tourist environments, VOX devices enable guides to communicate with clarity and fluency, even in highly crowded or noisy locations.

The VOX VDR radioguiding systems use patented digital radio technology operating at 1.9 GHz, a band less saturated than the conventional bands used in the market. This technology guarantees stable, interference-free transmission, with a range reaching up to 200 meters. Guides can thus continue their commentary while moving freely, without the need to continually pause the tour to regroup participants.

Beyond audio performance, VOX has developed technology designed to simplify the work of tour operators. The automatic pairing system instantly connects transmitters and receivers as soon as they are in range, significantly reducing the preparation time for tours. Smart auto-sleep features also help optimize battery life, with certain models capable of operating for up to thirty days under an average daily use of three hours.

The devices have also been designed to maximize user comfort. Lightweight, discreet, and easy to wear, they use single-use individual earphones, a more hygienic and comfortable solution than traditional headsets. This approach meets travelers’ new expectations regarding comfort, health safety, and sustainability.

In addition to audio performance, VOX’s true strength also lies in its global operational capability. With more than 55 offices across six continents, the group can quickly deliver ready-to-use equipment anywhere in the world, whether for museums, urban circuits, cruise excursions, or major international events. The devices are configured, tested, and prepared before delivery to ensure immediate commissioning. This logistical organization allows VOX partners to benefit from reliable equipment available quickly, regardless of the destination.

POPGuide, the Autonomous Visit Designed for Connected Travelers

With the rise of digitalized tourism and personalized experiences, VOX Group has developed POPGuide, a self-guided visit solution that turns smartphones and tablets into genuine interactive guides. Available as a mobile app, a white-label platform, or integrated directly into an existing application, POPGuide enables visitors to access multilingual audio content, interactive maps, and geolocated itineraries directly from their device. Thanks to an auto-play feature, narration is automatically triggered as the visitor approaches a point of interest, delivering an immersive and seamless experience in cities, museums, cruises, or sightseeing tours. It also works offline and can be accessed simply via a QR code, perfectly meeting the expectations of modern travelers seeking flexibility, autonomy, and customization.

For tourism professionals, POPGuide also represents an effective tool to enrich the visitor experience while reducing costs related to physical equipment, printed materials, and logistics.

The solution also includes analytics tools that track visitors’ movements, identify the most frequented points of interest, and better understand audience behaviors. These data provide destinations and tour operators with valuable insights to optimize routes, improve crowd management, and tailor offerings to travelers’ new expectations.

VOX AURA, the Artificial Intelligence that Removes Language Barriers

The group’s latest innovation, VOX AURA marks a new advance in the evolution of guided-tour technologies. Unveiled at WTM London 2025, this device introduces a new way of experiencing tours for international groups. For the first time, visitors of all nationalities can follow a guide’s commentary in their own language in real time, without a smartphone, without an app, without roaming charges, and without the need for an interpreter.

Directly integrated with VOX’s radioguide systems, VOX AURA combines AI-powered simultaneous translation with the ease of use and reliability that have made the brand a global reference in tour guiding.

But the solution goes far beyond simple translation. Developed in-house by VOX Group, the technology rests on a proprietary algorithm capable of interpreting the overall meaning of a discourse rather than translating word for word. Place names, historical references, cultural expressions, or specific terminologies are thus recognized instantly, allowing guides to speak naturally while offering visitors translations that are more fluid and natural.

Designed as much more than a linguistic tool, VOX AURA fits into a broader vision of intelligent travel assistance. Ultimately, VOX Group envisions this technology as a true digital companion for tour leaders, guides, and cruise directors, able to support the logistical management of visits, adapt itineraries in real time, and help professionals deliver ever more personalized experiences.

By combining Italian engineering, global operational expertise, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence, VOX AURA aims to set a new standard of inclusive communication in the tourism and culture sectors. Beyond removing language barriers, this innovation opens up new possibilities for operators, who can now more easily accommodate international groups while offering more immersive and connected experiences.

Made in Italy and backed by VOX Group’s global logistics network, present in over 150 countries, VOX AURA embodies the group’s ambition to shape the future of guided tours through intelligent technologies.

Contact VOX Group

Categories World News Tags Era, Group, Guided, Propels, Tours, VOX

Kosmo Travel Group Selects SpeedMedia Solution

June 14, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

What were your main technological challenges before choosing SpeedMedia?

AD : Kosmo Travel Group is a tour operator specializing in group and incentive travel and today developing in the GIR segment.

Before SpeedMedia, our main challenge was clearly the technological optimization of our model. We had the products but not effective tools, little automation in the distribution of our offers and a difficulty in delivering our GIR offering.

What were the decisive factors that convinced you SpeedMedia was the ideal partner?

AD : For our choice, three key elements made the difference:

The travel-distribution oriented product logic. SpeedMedia isn’t a generic tool; it’s a solution crafted for our métier, with a real understanding of the composition and the peculiarities of travel products. Next, the integration and modularity capability; we needed a foundation that could interface while remaining flexible and scalable, and SpeedMedia offered us this architecture.

And finally the long-term vision, because beyond the tool, we sensed a genuine partnership logic, a clear roadmap, a capacity to co-create, and a tech + business approach, which is quite rare in the market.

How did the SpeedMedia teams’ support ease the transition?

AD : The transition was much smoother than we had anticipated.

The SpeedMedia teams provided a structured project framework, with clear milestones, highly operational support on data migration, and above all the ability to adapt to our business constraints.

We did not feel like we were “subject to a tool,” but rather co-building a solution tailored to our model.

The real plus was their ability to bridge the gap between technical aspects and business usage, which significantly reduced internal friction.

Concretely, what has the platform changed in your day-to-day operations?

AD : The change is fairly evident on several levels:

Centralization of flows, faster time-to-market, and an improved sales experience.

If you had to define your relationship with the support and SpeedMedia teams in three words?

AD : Responsiveness – Expertise – Partnership

How do you view your collaboration with Kosmo Travel Groups?

In what way did you approach this project to meet their GIR-specific needs?

LZ : From our very first exchanges, we perceived an agency with a real identity and a solid GIR offering. The challenge wasn’t merely to give them a website, but to provide them with a reliable system designed to ease their daily operations. Therefore, before talking tools or solutions, we took the time to understand their on-the-ground reality: how a GIR file is built for them, where frictions lie… Indeed, GIR requires strict rigor in stock and flow management: real-time availability, supplier commitments to honor, margins to be steered with precision.

It was therefore essential that they have an environment capable of adapting to these requirements.

Data migration is always a sensitive moment; how did you handle it?

LZ : Data migration is a step often dreaded; we implemented a step-by-step support to guarantee a smooth transition for Kosmo Travel. Our role was to absorb all the technical complexity to deliver a simple interface: we manage the technological gears so they can run their business with peace of mind.

And now, what is your role alongside Kosmo Travel in the future?

LZ : To sustain Kosmo Travel’s momentum, we will continue to evolve our technical solutions in line with their objectives. Concretely, this means staying attentive to their needs even before they are fully articulated, monitoring their metrics, and sharing best practices.

What we aim to build long term is a relationship in which Kosmo Travel knows they can rely on us to understand their business, share their ambitions, and put our technology at the service of their vision.

Contacts

Feel free to contact Léa and her teams for any inquiry. We offer demos via screen sharing, conference calls, emails, meetings… we look forward to hearing from you :

• Write to us: [email protected]

• Phone: + 33 (0)1 84 16 52 90

• Or on our site: https://www.speedmedia.fr

Categories World News Tags Group, Kosmo, Selects, Solution, SpeedMedia, TRAVEL

Excluding Non-IATA Agencies, Tensions in the Gulf: AERTiCKET Makes Group Bookings and Assistance Its Top Priority

June 11, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The decision by Air France to reserve TIGRE Web, its group booking platform, access for IATA-accredited agencies starting from July 1, 2026, further underscores the need for non-IATA agencies to rely on a solid partner capable of ensuring continuity and operational control.

A dedicated team and comprehensive management for all agencies

The AERTiCKET Groups service remains open to all agencies, IATA or non-IATA. Requests are submitted via the “Groups” tab, then handled by a dedicated team, expert in multi‑airline negotiations and operational follow-up.

AERTiCKET handles the entire dossier lifecycle:

• Tariff research and optimization,

• Tracking of options,

• Management of passenger lists,

• Early issuance to secure rates,

• Coordination with airlines in case of adjustments.

This organization enables agencies to maintain total commercial control, while relying on a reliable partner for the technical and operational aspects.

A market in flux that demands a solid partner

The restriction of access to TIGRE Web sits within a broader sector evolution: NDC, dynamic availabilities, price volatility, shorter option windows… Agencies must navigate a more complex environment where responsiveness and operational control become essential.

AERTiCKET responds to these challenges by providing a stable framework, harmonized processes and consolidated expertise, enabling agencies to secure their files while optimizing their margins.

Support that goes beyond pricing alone

In a market subject to rapid evolution, agencies need a partner capable of providing constant monitoring, including when international events disrupt airline operations. It is in these sensitive situations that the unified AERTiCKET France / CMS Vacances organization proves its full value.

Continuity of assistance: constant dossier tracking during tensions in the Persian Gulf

Recent tensions in the Persian Gulf have led to reroutings, flight plan adjustments and increased price volatility. For agencies, this implies a heightened need for visibility, anticipation and coordination.

AERTiCKET ensures total continuity of assistance, with constant dossier tracking and continuous operational vigilance at all times.

Specific monitoring for sensitive zones

Regular training to optimize the use of Cockpit and AER360

To facilitate the daily work of agencies and to allow them to fully exploit the tools at their disposal, AERTiCKET offers regular training sessions dedicated to Cockpit and AER360. These webinars help teams become more efficient and better anticipate complex situations.

The trainings offer the possibility to:

• Discover the advanced features of both platforms,

• Master the best practices for submitting, tracking and adjusting group requests,

• Streamline operational management thanks to modules dedicated to passenger lists, options and issuances,

• Use the integrated tracking tools to anticipate disruptions,

• Simplify daily work through a more intuitive and more complete use of the interfaces.

These sessions, offered throughout the year, are suitable for both new users and teams wishing to perfect their mastery of the tools.

A clear ambition: to be the most reliable and closest partner for agencies

With its Groups service open to all, its unified organization, its ability to ensure continuous assistance and its tools that are constantly evolving, AERTiCKET France and CMS Vacances reaffirm their ambition: to offer agencies strong support, genuine proximity and top-tier expertise, whatever the market conditions.

Websites:

– www.aerticket.fr

– www.cmsvacances.fr

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +33 (0)5 56 55 48 62/48 57

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Categories World News Tags AERTiCKET, Agencies, Assistance, Bookings, Excluding, Group, Gulf, NonIATA, Priority, Tensions, Top

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