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Dragon Ball Theme Park Could Open in Val-d’Oise

August 12, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

From Gargantua to Dragon Ball? Discussions are underway between French authorities and a Saudi investment company to install in Val-d’Oise a Dragon Ball theme park on the site of the former Mirapolis, which closed 35 years ago.

On the grounds, where at the end of the 1980s stood a colossal statue of Gargantua, the hero of François Rabelais, there remain only a few remnants of one of France’s first theme parks: a concrete block at the entrance, in memory of the old ticket office, and a little further, a fixed orange marquee, faded, almost swallowed by the surrounding vegetation.

A Dragon Ball project still secret, already very advanced

This multi-hectare site located in Courdimanche, one of the towns within the Cergy-Pontoise urban area, could host a new amusement park inspired by the famous Japanese manga Dragon Ball, according to a source close to the dossier confirming information from the news outlet Politico.

Several meetings have taken place since April between the Élysée, the Île-de-France region, the concerned municipalities, the French and Île-de-France attractiveness agencies, and the main investor, Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) dedicated to entertainment, sport, and culture. The project is “very well advanced”, according to this source, even though no official announcement has yet been made.

These high-level negotiations are worrying the families of travelers living on the site for more than nine years, among whom about twenty children “are enrolled in nearby municipalities”, AFP reported Alfred Duvaux, 66. “We know nothing”, added his brother Gilles, 75, “even the landowner wasn’t informed”.

If the leisure project were to come to fruition, “we would be really in trouble”, they lament. Because around a hundred households now live on the site, they say: white caravans, wooden huts, garden furniture, and inflatable pools for the children have found their home there. “Before you make us leave, you must find us another place”, notes the septuagenarian.

At this stage, contacted by AFP, the Élysée has not confirmed any information, just as the Courdimanche town hall or the Cergy-Pontoise metropolis have not. The prefectures of Val-d’Oise and Île-de-France have not responded to AFP’s inquiries.

The amount of the investment is also not known, but it could exceed one billion euros according to Politico, which claims that several ministers also participated in the meetings.

Residents and local officials demand guarantees

The LFI deputy for Val-d’Oise, Aurélien Taché, asked the regional prefect for “real consultation” with the elected representatives, associations and residents of the territory.

Maryeme Bouslam, opposition municipal councilor in Courdimanche, also laments “the method” of the project, which, in her view, “comes from the Élysée (…) without the prior consultation of residents, neighbouring towns and their representatives”.

She would rather favor turning the site into a cultural hub, a university hub or a research hub, “a realistic, durable and sustainable project for the population”.

A observer from the Communist group on the regional council, who did not wish to be named, warns of the need for an “appreciable improvement of the site’s accessibility”, recalling that “the park’s economic difficulties (Mirapolis, NDLR) stemmed from low attendance (…) and poor access”.

“Such an investment can present an opportunity in terms of employment” but “urgent guarantees must be provided regarding consultation and environmental protection”, the group also stated in a Monday press release.

Mirapolis, one of the first amusement parks in France built around the theme of French legends and tales, opened its doors in 1987. In its first year, it drew only 800,000 visitors, far fewer than the more than 2 million anticipated.

Then, challenged by the opening of Parc Astérix, it ultimately closed its doors in 1991, after just four years in operation.

Estonia: Residents Open Windows and Gardens to Sell Food

August 5, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Feeling peckish? There is almost certainly a man or a woman selling bite-sized treats from a windowsill. Perhaps their garden has even been turned into a pop-up tea room for a weekend or two. In Estonia, the idea of stopping to eat or drink something at a stranger whose trade is not at all in the restaurant business isn’t altogether far-fetched. It has even become a tradition for twenty years.

Estonia had long been overlooked by travelers from around the world. In 2007, to attract more visitors beyond July, the BBC reports, Hiiumaa Island’s tourism promoters had an idea: to create the Kodukohvikute Päev, literally the “home café day.” They invited residents to open their gardens, balconies, or windows to sell goods prepared by themselves to passersby. A day that fits into a broader historical tradition.

A Day Created Twenty Years Ago in Reference to Estonia’s Late Adoption of Coffee

The idea actually dates back to the mid-1800s. On the island of Hiiumaa, a textile factory had taken up residence there. It belonged to a German baron who largely employed workers from Central Europe. They were accustomed to drinking a lot of coffee. A beverage that Estonians had not yet widely embraced, preferring beer or fermented milk. The influence of foreign workers pushed Hiiumaa residents to drink more coffee, including at the workplace.

So to give a nod to that era, tourism professionals wanted to create the Kodukohvikute Päev. Pop-up cafés were born, and Hiiumaa residents embraced this new way of welcoming visitors. Little by little, the custom spread across the country. It is now available in more than 150 towns nationwide, from April to September.

How to Find a Kodukohvikute Päev to Join in Estonia?

For Estonians, this tradition embodies their warmth toward strangers but is also a way to showcase their culture. “One of the reasons we began organizing this event is that during the summer there are fewer moments when people wear traditional outfits or cook typical dishes like sõir, our cheese”, explains Liis Kogerman, an organizer of a Kodukohvikute Päev in the south of the country.

If you find yourself in Estonia this summer and you wish to participate in a Kodukohvikute Päev, know that these events are locally organized. You’ll need to check with local tourist offices or on social media to see if the region where you are staying has one planned during your holidays. You can search for the keyword “Kohvikutepäevad” online to obtain precise information on how they unfold.

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Evok Collection to Open Nolinski Gulf of Saint-Tropez in April 2027

July 7, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Evok Collection ouvrira le Nolinski Golfe de Saint-Tropez en avril 2027 - Photo EVOK

IFTM

After Paris and Venice, it will be the brand’s first installation outside an urban environment. « For the first time, Nolinski is written outside of a city », the group notes in its press release.

The project is led by Zaka Investments on behalf of Evok Collection, with the support of Famille C Participations, the investment fund of the Courtin-Clarins family, a strategic shareholder of the group.

Thus, the Nolinski Golfe de Saint-Tropez will open its doors in April 2027 in Gassin.

Designed by Nathan Litera, the establishment aims to offer a Mediterranean interpretation of the Nolinski universe. «Clean lines, sensual materials, omnipresent light» will compose this Riviera version designed around the art of living in Saint-Tropez, Evok Collection explains.

The hotel is expected to feature 55 rooms and suites with terraces, a restaurant, a bar, a wellness and spa area, two swimming pools, as well as a tennis and padel club. A kids club and a teen zone will complete the offering to meet the expectations of families and multi-generational stays. Reservations will open from July 2026.

« We build desirability through the experience: attention to detail, the art of gesture, the rhythm of a place. This is what creates a brand’s notoriety, over the long term », says Romain Yzerman, co-founder of Evok Collection.

Rwanda: The Lux Collective to Open 5 Luxury Hotels

July 6, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The Lux Collective s'associe à Cleo Capital Group, Salt of Akagera, photo by SALT Resorts

Rwanda is steadily establishing itself as a sought-after destination in East Africa, attracting both business travelers and luxury tourists.

The Africa CEO Forum 2026, held in Kigali, formalized, with the support of Cleo Capital Group, the establishment of a new hotel network.

This ambitious project rests on close cooperation between the private sector and the Rwandan authorities.

The signing of the acquisition agreement for Akagera Game Lodge by Louise Kanyonga, deputy CEO of the Rwanda Social Security Board, and the Cleo Capital Group Ltd marks the start of this partnership.

Beyond this acquisition, several hotel management contracts covering the entire circuit were signed by Arnaud Lagesse, president of The Lux Collective and CEO of IBL Group, Emmanuel Rugambwa, president of Akagera Game Lodge, and Eugene Nyagahene, founder and CEO of Cleo Capital Group Ltd.

This collective effort lays the foundations for an infrastructure designed to highlight the country’s natural riches.

The operational calendar will unfold in two major phases, designed to ensure a high-quality implementation.

The LUX* Lake Kivu will open mid-2026, with four additional openings to follow

The first phase, planned for mid-2026, involves immediately transforming two existing properties.

The Cleo Lake Kivu, in Karongi, will become The LUX* Lake Kivu, a charming 14-room lakeside retreat focused on outdoor activities and wellness by the lake.

In parallel, Akagera Game Lodge will be renamed SALT of Akagera, with a 60-room complex perched above Lake Ihema, ideal for safaris in the heart of the savannah.

To read: In Rwanda, the bet on elitist tourism

This first phase will be followed by a second stage by 2028, which foresees the construction and opening of three new hotels, thereby expanding the offering to other protected areas of the country.

The LUX* Volcanoes will offer a collection of 26 lodges near the Virunga volcanic chain, envisioned for gorilla-watching expeditions.

Additionally, The LUX* Nyungwe will unveil 26 on-stilt suites integrated into the tropical forest, while The LUX* Akagera will complete the circuit with 26 tents intended for wildlife observation in Akagera National Park.

The Lux Collective aims to draw inspiration from regenerative tourism

Beyond the infrastructures and the numbers, this project includes development goals described as regenerative, which aim to concretely reduce the ecological footprint of the sites involved.

From the design phase, construction criteria include the use of renewable energy, water-saving management systems and sourcing policies favoring local supply chains.

To read: The Lux Collective continues its international expansion

On the human and social front, the two partners have announced the establishment of professional training programs for staff, strong support for artisanship and local agriculture, as well as specific initiatives to encourage female entrepreneurship in the areas of deployment.

For the leaders of the entities involved, this initiative fully aligns with the government of Rwanda’s strategy, which seeks to position itself in the niche of low-impact, high-value tourism.

Bahamas: Norwegian Cruise Line to Open Great Tides Water Park on September 4, 2026

June 24, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Norwegian Cruise Line ouvrira son parc aquatique Great Tides aux Bahamas le 4 septembre 2026 - Photo Norwegian Cruise Line

CroisiEurope

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) a annoncé l’ouverture de son nouveau parc aquatique Great Tides le 4 septembre 2026 sur Great Stirrup Cay, son île privée située aux Bahamas. L’inauguration coïncidera avec une croisière de sept jours dans les Caraïbes opérée par le Norwegian Luna.

À partir du 5 juin 2026, les passagers dont l’escale est prévue à Great Stirrup Cay après cette date pourront réserver à l’avance leur accès au parc aquatique ainsi que différentes options complémentaires, dont des cabanes privatives pouvant accueillir jusqu’à six personnes.

Développé sur près de 2.5 hectares, Great Tides proposera 19 toboggans aquatiques ainsi qu’une série d’attractions destinées aux familles et aux amateurs de sensations fortes. Le parc s’articulera autour de la Tidal Tower, une structure de 52 mètres de hauteur regroupant plusieurs attractions majeures, dont les Breakwater Blasters, présentés comme des montagnes russes aquatiques.

L’offre comprendra également des sauts de falaise, une rivière dynamique de plus de 240 mètres, un espace aquatique dédié aux enfants et plusieurs points de restauration. Le projet s’inscrit dans le programme de transformation de Great Stirrup Cay, qui comprend comme le souligne un communiqué déjà le Great Life Lagoon, une vaste zone de baignade avec bars aquatiques et espaces de détente.

L’île privée est accessible toute l’année au départ de plusieurs ports américains, notamment Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York et Philadelphie. Le Norwegian Luna assurera des itinéraires dans les Caraïbes jusqu’en novembre 2026 avec des escales en République dominicaine, aux Îles Vierges et à Great Stirrup Cay.

Greece in Its Entirety: Worldia and SKY Express Open Access to Preserved Islands

June 20, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Top of Travel

SKY Express: the air network that changes everything

Elected “Airline of the Year” by the ERA (European Regions Airline Association) and operator of Greece’s newest fleet — and one of the most modern in Europe — SKY Express has established itself as a benchmark on the regional market. With 33 domestic destinations served (islands and continental towns combined) and 60 destinations in total when including its international network, the airline offers coverage that, for a travel professional, is far more than a broad map: it is the tangible ability to build multi-destination itineraries without overnight stays, with no compromise on the smoothness of the trip.

From France, the airline naturally fits into sales circuits: travelers board from Paris, Lille, Brussels, Nantes, Lyon or Marseille, with direct flights to Athens, Rhodes and Heraklion. The connection with the Athens hub then opens up the entire domestic network, enabling access to archipelagos that many operators still struggle to cover seriously.

For agencies looking to move beyond standardized offers, this kind of connectivity is a valuable resource. It makes viable destinations that were not viable — not because they lacked appeal, but because they lacked perceived accessibility and thus visibility.

Worldia: the most complete Greek offering on the market

On Worldia’s side, the groundwork is solid. The platform has structured an à la carte Greek offering that covers all of continental Greece and nearly all islands open to tourism — that is, more than 55 islands connected by flights and ferries, 2,000 hotels selected from 2 to 5 stars, and 150 activities listed to enrich each stay. An ambit designed to meet all profiles: families seeking tranquil beaches, couples on romantic getaways, budget travelers as well as premium clients in search of authenticity.

What sets this offering apart is both its breadth and its editorial depth. Worldia has developed recommendations for visits, beaches, must-see sites and hidden gems for each destination — those places guides have not yet cited, the ones that make a real difference in a client proposal. The Peloponnese and its ancient ruins facing the sea, the Sporades where some coves remain sheltered from crowds, the Ionian Islands greener and wilder with their relaxed Italianate lifestyle — not to forget those names that intrigue: Astypalea, the butterfly island; Chios and its medieval villages; Kythera the elusive; Leros and its otherworldly ambience — so many regions that the platform has studied in depth, with itineraries available online to help partner travel agencies design seamless combinations between islands and regions, depending on available air or ferry connections. The objective is clear: diversify sales in Greece and give every intermediary the tools to move beyond the catalogue limited to the big, safe bets.

Selling Greece differently, an underutilized sales lever

Over-tourism makes headlines, but it also creates opportunities. More and more travelers are actively seeking to move away from it: they want Greece, not the Santorini sunset queue — but they don’t always know the alternatives. This is precisely where Worldia plays a role. The platform has developed a panel of itineraries and combinations promoting a varied offering, accessible to all budgets, to meet these new expectations: travel off the beaten path, without sacrificing a well-organized stay. Destinations less frequented, suitable for family stays as well as couples’ getaways, that offer that mix of calm, nature and authenticity that the most famous islands struggle to guarantee.

Worldia has crafted a few favorite itineraries — gateways to a destination that has not finished surprising.

Between sea and mountains — Peloponnese reimagined

Monemvasia perched on its rock, the stone villages of Magne, the Byzantine fortresses of Mystras facing a landscape of hills and sea: authentic Peloponnese exists; it simply needed a worthy itinerary to be offered. This 10-day road trip invites you to traverse a wild and luminous territory, far from the mapped routes, where each stop tells an ancient story, starting from Athens. → See the itinerary

Secret Cyclades — Sifnos & Milos, the alternatives that have all the allure of the big names

Mykonos and Santorini saturated? Their neighbors Sifnos and Milos offer an elegant answer. Sifnos, a mountainous jewel with olive valleys and perched monasteries; Milos with its 75 beaches and hidden coves for a no-compromise getaway. An 8-day package tailored for clients who want the Cyclades — without the crowds. → See the itinerary

Head for the Sporades — Skiathos & Skopelos, the archipelago worth getting to know

Skiathos for its paradisiacal beaches and gentle vibe, Skopelos for its authentic charm and landscapes that inspired cinema: this week-long escape in the Sporades ticks all the boxes for a couple seeking nature and picturesque villages, without multiple transfers. Best from June to September. → See the itinerary

The Greece your clients are unknowingly seeking is already here, cataloged, connected, ready to be sold. All that was missing was a serious access to the entire destination. Worldia and Sky Express have built it — now it’s up to you to seize it.

La Grèce dans sa totalité : Worldia et SKY Express ouvrent l'accès aux îles préservées

Worldia

19 rue Blanche

75009 Paris

Email : [email protected]

Site web : https://corp.worldia.com/