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

November 2, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

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. »

Marriott International to Add Eight Hotels in the Netherlands

November 1, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The Ald Hotel The Hague devrait rejoindre Tribute Portfolio - DR

PONANT

It is an agreement that will broaden Marriott’s portfolio in the Netherlands.

In one fell swoop, 700 rooms and eight hotels will enrich the group’s impressive portfolio, thanks to the signing of a deal with Townhouse Hotels.

The deal covers a collection of urban hotels spread across five Dutch cities and supports the group’s expansion to Amsterdam, Breda and The Hague. It is also set to mark Marriott’s entry into Maastricht and Eindhoven.

“This agreement represents a significant milestone for Marriott International in the Netherlands, with the integration of eight hotels into our portfolio and the introduction of Series by Marriott to the Dutch market.

These projects offer a blend of independent hotel experiences in highly sought-after destinations, while enabling our entry into Maastricht and Eindhoven. With Townhouse Hotels, we look forward to offering our guests even more enticing travel experiences across the Netherlands“, said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer Europe, Middle East and Africa at Marriott International.

This signing also signals the launch of Series by Marriott in the Netherlands.

Here are the hotels that will join Marriott:

Townhouse Amsterdam WTC, Series by Marriott

Townhouse The Hague, Series by Marriott

Townhouse Maastricht, Series by Marriott

Townhouse Mabi Maastricht, Series by Marriott

Townhouse Kaboom Maastricht, Series by Marriott

Townhouse Breda, Series by Marriott

The Ald Hotel The Hague, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Hotel Mariënhage Eindhoven, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

International Tourism Growth Slows in the First Half of 2026

October 27, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Après un début d’année dynamique, le tourisme international a marqué le pas au printemps. ONU Tourisme recense 690 millions d’arrivées sur les six premiers mois de 2026, soit seulement 0,4% de plus qu’un an auparavant - DepositPhotos.com, @sdecoret

PONANT

Publié en septembre 2026, le dernier World Tourism Barometer d’ONU Tourisme dresse le bilan de l’activité touristique internationale sur les six premiers mois de l’année.

Le rapport analyse le nombre d’arrivées de touristes internationaux dans les différentes régions du monde afin de suivre l’évolution des flux touristiques.

Sur cette période, 690 millions d’arrivées ont été enregistrées, soit une hausse de 0,4% par rapport au premier semestre 2025.

Cette progression reste toutefois très limitée. Après un premier trimestre en hausse de 2%, les arrivées internationales ont reculé de 1% au deuxième trimestre.

The second quarter marks a turning point

Between January and March, international arrivals had increased, then the trend reversed.

And the month of June confirms this slowdown, with a global drop of 3% in international arrivals. April had already recorded a decline of 3%.

UNWTO highlights notably the effect of the Easter holiday calendar, which began in March this year, as well as the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

In total, the 690 million arrivals recorded between January and June represent only 3 million more than in the first half of 2025.

Europe: between growth and pressure

Not all regions are following the same trajectory.

Over the first six months, Europe records +3%, the Americas +2% and Africa +4%.

Western Europe, however, experiences a much tougher June, with a 6% drop in international arrivals. UNWTO notes episodes of extreme heat recorded in several destinations.

Asian markets also show different evolutions depending on sub-regions. North-East Asia climbs by 3%, while South Asia falls by 5% and South-East Asia by 1%.

The Asia-Pacific region continues to struggle to reach its 2019 level. International arrivals rise by only 1% in the first half.

In June, the decline reaches notably 5% in South-East Asia, linked to weaker demand on some Asian markets and disruptions to air links via the Middle East.

The Middle East remains in decline

Because of the conflict, the situation is much more pronounced in the Middle East.

International arrivals there fell by 22% in the first half.

The war that broke out in the region in early March directly affected tourist flows, but also international air transport.

Some routes were disrupted or suspended, with knock-on effects beyond the countries concerned. The air situation gradually improved in May and June, with the reopening of some routes after the announcement of a ceasefire.

Travelers remain price-conscious

Beyond the geopolitical context, the cost of travel remains a key factor for demand.

High oil prices are notably fueling transport costs, while inflationary pressures continue to weigh on vacation budgets.

Tourism in France: Summer 2026 Contrasts Between International Visitors and French Consumers

October 2, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Christian Mantei, président d'Atout France), Serge Papin, Ministre du Tourisme et Christelle Chassagne, présidente d'ADN Tourisme dressent le bilan touristique de l'été - Photo CE

CroisiEurope

In opening of the IFTM 2026, Serge Papin, minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism and Purchasing Power, presented, on Tuesday 15 September 2026, a first assessment of the summer tourism season.

According to the data presented by the minister, international tourism receipts reach 49.5 billion euros between January and the end of July 2026.

For the month of July alone, they amount to 9.4 billion euros, i.e., +3.7% compared to 2025.

“France continues to attract, to seduce, to persuade and even very far,” emphasized Serge Papin.

“At this stage, we can reasonably anticipate that international tourism will generate this year more than 80 billion euros in receipts, with attendance expected to exceed 100 million international tourists,” adds Christian Mantei, president of Atout France.

International air arrivals also rose during the summer, with a particularly marked increase for some long-haul markets. Mexico shows a 14% increase, ahead of Canada (+10%), China (+5%), Japan (+4%) and the United States (+3%).

The Departure Rates of French People in France Fall

However, the rate of French departures within France in midsummer, in July–August, falls by 5 points to 59%.

The Climate Action Network notes on its site that this drop confirms the retreat in summer departures observed since 2019 (-20% of overnight stays in August between 2019 and 2025 according to INSEE).

The rate of French people leaving abroad continues to rise (+4 points, to 34%).

Serge Papin nevertheless notes that June and September resist: “Tourism remains an essential need, a breathing space. The shoulder seasons are gaining importance: the French no longer go away only in July and August, but increasingly early and late,” the Minister stressed.

The departure rate in June climbs from 15% to 18%, and the intentions to depart in September rise from 20% to 22% compared with last year.

The departure rate of the French would thus be stable over the June-to-September period at 72%.

“A Climate Shock, and an Inflation Shock”

The coastline remains the primary tourist space frequented with 43% of stays, ahead of cities (33%) and the countryside (32%). The mountains account for 15% of stays and continue to grow, notably in the Northern Alps, where attendance increased by 16% in August.

Conversely, some destinations in the south of France experience a more contrasting season, notably due to the budgetary choices made by tourists.

“On the scale of France this summer, we had territories that experienced a more contrasting season. This summer we faced two shocks: a climate shock, and an inflation shock,” said Christelle Chassagne, president of ADN Tourisme.

In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which was affected by wildfires and despite a campaign to revive activity, 42% of professionals report a drop in bookings; 32% report stability and 12% report an increase.

Purchasing power also weighed in decisions: “We want to go on vacation, but we go for shorter durations. We increasingly go to family settings, in non-market units, and we will have major trade-offs on dining and leisure,” she notes.

HomeExchange Strengthens Its International Ambitions With Verlinvest

September 24, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

HomeExchange renforce ses ambitions internationales avec Verlinvest - Depositphotos.com @AndrewLozovyi

Climats du Monde

HomeExchange announces the arrival of Verlinvest into its capital as part of a partnership aimed at supporting its international development. The home exchange specialist intends notably to accelerate its growth in North America and Western Europe.

The model continues to progress. Over the past twelve months, 2.3 million travelers completed an exchange on the platform, representing a 34% increase year over year. The number of nights booked reaches 11.8 million (+25%).

HomeExchange also reports an annual renewal rate above 90%, with a swap completed every minute.

Verlinvest’s entry, an international permanent-capital investment firm, marks a new step in HomeExchange’s development. The founders and long-time leaders, Charles-Édouard Girard and Emmanuel Arnaud, remain at the helm of the company and strengthen their stake.

The historic shareholder Ternel, supported by the MAIF, also reinvests in the company. Meanwhile, ISAI, which joined the cap table in 2021, exits the venture after supporting HomeExchange in its latest growth phase.

Improve the Offering and Accelerate Internationally

HomeExchange plans to continue developing its platform, notably with a new messaging system, a new calendar, and future filters to refine searches, for example on the availability of a housekeeping service.

The company also intends to develop HomeExchange Collection, its offering for exceptional homes, as well as services for pet owners.

Present in 155 countries, the platform also aims to continue expanding its community, with a priority given to the United States and Western Europe.

The stated objective is to make house swapping a travel method more widely adopted on a global scale.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: Mountains and International Partners Back Summer 2026

September 16, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

La montagne et les clientèles étrangères soutiennent l’activité touristique en Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes durant l’été 2026. DepositPhotos.com/florentmartin

MSC Croisières

The tourist activity in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes generally held up this summer, with 56 % of professionals who estimate attendance stable or rising compared with 2025.

The regional clientele has notably progressed, representing 39 % of attendance, while foreign markets remain a pillar of activity.

Professionals nevertheless note spending trade-offs, visitors prioritizing accommodation more than activities and dining.

La montagne profite de l’effet fraîcheur

The mountains confirm their attractiveness, with 65 % of station professionals satisfied with the season.

The image of the destination as a “refuge” in the face of heat waves has notably been cited by 56 % of them as a motor for activity.

The nature-based activities remain highly favored: hiking and walking lead the way (56 %), ahead of cycling (37 %) and water-related activities (36 %).

Demand for **more sustainable mobility** is also rising, notably for charging stations (+9 points).

Les clientèles étrangères restent dynamiques

The international clientele accounts for 26 % of attendance and helps sustain activity. Professionals notably observe a rise in Swiss and German clientele, while long-haul markets, including the United States and Canada, are also progressing.

In the face of budget constraints, 65 % of professionals have kept their prices and 16 % have reduced them. Last-minute bookings now represent 30 % of summer activity for accommodations.

For the rentrée, professionals remain cautious but relatively confident: 61 % anticipate attendance stable or rising in September, while 55 % share this view for the Toussaint holidays.

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.

Medical Tourism: Armenia to Bring Together International Players in Yerevan This September

September 9, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Du 21 au 23 septembre 2026, Erevan accueillera la Conférence mondiale sur le tourisme médical - Depositphotos.com, amedeoemaja

Hurtigruten

Armenia aims to capitalize on hosting an international gathering to accelerate its positioning in the medical tourism market.

From September 21 to 23, 2026, the capital Yerevan will host the World Conference on Medical Tourism, titled “Travel for Care, Stay for Healing: When Patients Become Guests”.

For three days, tourism and health professionals, representatives of international organizations, insurers, investors and private players will come together to discuss the sector’s transformations.

L’Arménie veut développer son attractivité

While the international demand for medical stays abroad is rising, Armenia seeks to strengthen its presence on this market.

The country highlights several arguments, notably the qualifications of its health professionals and the competitive costs of treatment.

It also intends to capitalize on its tourist offering to provide an experience that goes beyond the medical journey.

International visitors can thus pair their stay with wellness activities, cultural discovery or even recuperation. An approach designed to differentiate Armenia by linking care with a tourism experience.

Digital health and artificial intelligence on the agenda

The conference will address many of the challenges currently accompanying the transformation of medical tourism.

Discussions will notably focus on the patient journey, the quality of care and accreditation systems, but also on the development of digital health and artificial intelligence.

Well-being and prevention, international partnerships as well as the competitiveness of destinations will also be among the topics discussed.

Beyond the lectures, the event should foster exchanges among the various stakeholders and enable new collaborations between the health and tourism sectors.

Un rendez-vous international pour structurer le marché

For the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, organizing this conference represents an opportunity to enhance the country’s visibility among international professionals.

The stated objective is to make Yerevan a venue for exchanges on new practices in medical tourism, as well as to present the destination’s advantages and the prospects for developing its offer.

The full program, the list of speakers and the registration details are available on the event’s official website.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Brazil: International Tourists Spent $6.5 Billion in Seven Months

September 6, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Le Brésil poursuit sa dynamique touristique en 2026 - Depositphotos.com, dabldy

TAP Air Portugal

The international tourism continues to weigh on the Brazilian economy.

According to data published Thursday, August 27, 2026 by the Central Bank of Brazil, foreign visitors spent 6.543 billion US dollars between January and July 2026, compared with 5.977 billion dollars over the same period in 2025.

Receipts generated by international tourists thus rose by 9.4% year on year.

They cover expenditures related to accommodation, dining, excursions, transportation and even commerce across the country’s various destinations.

In the single month of July, expenditures by international visitors reached 899 million US dollars.

Nearly 6 Million Foreign Visitors

This growth in receipts accompanies an increase in the number of international travelers welcomed to Brazil. Nearly 6 million foreign tourists entered the country during the first seven months of 2026.

Air transport represents the main entry point to the international market. Arrivals by air rose by 12% between January and July 2026, compared with the same period of the previous year.

Over the entire seven-month period, air travel accounted for more than 68% of international arrivals in Brazil. That share even rose in July, with more than 77% of foreign tourists entering the country by air.

This predominant role of air travel underscores the importance of international connectivity in supporting tourist flows to the various regions of Brazil.

International Tourism as an Economic Lever

For Bruno Reis, president of Embratur, the Brazilian agency in charge of promoting international tourism, the results illustrate the economic impact of tourism beyond the travel sector alone.

“When an international tourist chooses Brazil, the impact of that trip touches several sectors of the economy“, he says. According to him, the 6.5 billion dollars spent in the first seven months of the year testifies to the importance of this activity for the regions.

The diversification of promoting Brazilian destinations should also allow, according to the official, to circulate tourist expenditures across different sectors and across several regions of the country.

With nearly 6 million international visitors welcomed since the start of the year and revenues up by almost 10%, Brazil thus confirms the growth of its international tourism activity in 2026.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Club Med Launches Its First International Padel Tournament

September 2, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Club Med lance le "Club Med Padel Tour" son premier tournoi de padel amateur et international, image by ClubMed

TAP Air Portugal

Following the success of the Club Med Padel Cup in 2025, an event that brought together celebrities and French champions in Spain, Club Med is stepping up a gear.

Starting in October 2026, the Club Med Padel Tour will thrill enthusiasts of the sport across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a dream finale under the Marbella sun.

The tournament will begin in October 2026 and will stop in several key countries, notably France, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain and South Africa.

In France, the official kickoff will take place on October 2 at the 4Padel club in Boulogne-Billancourt, before visiting around ten major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille or Bordeaux, until January 2027.

The winners from each country will meet in March 2027 for a grand international final at the Club Med Magna Marbella, with a all-inclusive stay for two people at one of the brand’s Resorts on the line.

Club Med Padel Tour: An Intergenerational Competition

The tournament aims to be accessible and faithful to Club Med’s values.

Organized in two distinct categories, women and men, it imposes a unique and original rule: the combined age of the two partners in each duo must be equal to or greater than 60 years.

This special rule has been designed to encourage intergenerational partnerships on the court.

Each regional stage will be designed as a festive occasion, featuring matches played in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere, musical entertainment with DJ sets and photo-call sessions, cocktails or aperitifs accompanying prize-giving ceremonies, as well as workshops for trying out leading-edge sports equipment.

Operational management is entrusted to Padel + Agency, founded by Robin Haziza, a prominent figure in the scene and former captain of the French national padel team.

This initiative strengthens Club Med’s positioning as a pioneer of the sport on holiday. The brand already operates 15 Resorts equipped with nearly 55 padel courts worldwide and plans to open additional courts in 2026.