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Mountain Destination 2027: Registrations Open

October 18, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Registrations are open for the next edition of Destination Montagnes, which will take place on January 19 and 20, 2027 in Grenoble.

Organized by Atout France, the fair will once again connect French mountain industry professionals with international distribution players.

The 2026 edition brought together nearly 220 French exhibiting companies and more than 400 tour operators from around fifty countries, for over 10,000 business appointments, according to a press release.

Pre- and Post-Tours to Discover the Region’s Offerings

Destination Montagnes les 19 et 20 janvier 2027 à Grenoble - Image Atout France

Territories, accommodations, mobility, sporting activities, cultural experiences and wellness offerings will be notably represented at this new edition.

Atout France aims to highlight a mountain offering that is diversifying and now developing across all four seasons.

France registered 56.1 million skier days during the 2025-2026 winter season, which, according to Atout France, places it at the top of global ski destinations ahead of Austria and the United States.

Pre- and post-tours will also enable international tour operators to discover the destinations, accommodations and activities on offer.

Exhibitor registrations are open until November 4, 2026.

Ahead of the show, the Destination Montagnes Meetings will take place on January 18, 2027 at the WTC Grenoble, focusing on the developments and prospects of mountain tourism.

Emirates Hiring in France: 5 Open Days in September

October 6, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Emirates organise cinq journées portes ouvertes en France pour recruter ses futurs membres d’équipage - DepositPhotos.com, pustosh

Aer Lingus

Emirates continues its recruitment drive in France with sessions organized in Cannes on September 16, Lyon on the 18th, Paris on the 20th, Nantes on the 25th and Toulouse on the 27th of September.

Interested candidates can pre-register online or simply appear on the day of the event.

The company is seeking profiles capable of welcoming and serving passengers while ensuring their safety and security.

New recruits will benefit from training at Emirates’ training centre in Dubai.

Un recrutement à cinq étapes

The sessions will take place at the following venues:

–Cannes, September 16, at the Five Seas By Inwood Hotels ;

–Lyon, September 18, at the Crowne Plaza Lyon Cité Internationale ;

–Paris, September 20, at the M Social Hôtel Paris ;

–Nantes, September 25, at the Mercure Nantes Centre Grand Hôtel ;

–Toulouse, September 27, at the Plaza Hôtel Toulouse Capitole.

Candidates must submit an online application with an English CV and a recent photograph.

The company recommends pre-registration, but applicants can also attend without an appointment.

Salary and benefits in Dubai

Emirates crew members based in Dubai enjoy, among other benefits, a competitive salary, company-provided housing, commuting transport between home and workplace, and medical coverage.

Reduced-rate flight tickets and various other perks are also offered. The airline’s crew comprises more than 150 nationalities and speaks 72 languages.

Emirates currently serves France with 35 weekly flights, including three daily A380 services from Paris, a daily A380 service from Nice, and a daily A350 service from Lyon.

Accor to Open a Novotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

September 20, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Accor et Al Qimmah Hospitality étendent leur partenariat stratégique en Arabie saoudite avec la signature du Novotel La Mecque - Photo : Accor

MSC Croisières

Accor et Al Qimmah Hospitality, filiale de BinDawood Investment Company, étendent leur partenariat stratégique en Arabie saoudite avec la signature du Novotel La Mecque, un établissement de 850 chambres attendu pour 2030.

Cette nouvelle opération porte à plus de 4 000 chambres le portefeuille développé conjointement par les deux groupes dans le Royaume.

Le projet s’inscrit dans un accord-cadre de développement conclu en 2025.

Le partenariat couvre désormais cinq hôtels répartis entre Djeddah, La Mecque et Médine, sur différents segments de marché, du premium à l’économique.

Une annonce qui s’inscrit dans le cadre de la rencontre entre Emmanuel Macron et Mohammed Ben Salman, dont la signature d’un investissement de 6 milliards d’euros du Royaume pour créer trois nouveaux parcs à thème en Franc a fait couler beaucoup d’encore.

A lire sur le sujet : Trois nouveaux parcs en France : jackpot touristique ou contradiction écologique ? Le débat !

Accor possède cinq hôtels dans les villes saintes

The portfolio now includes the Mercure Makkah Shesha, the ibis Styles Makkah Mesfalah, the Mövenpick Madinah, the Swissôtel Jeddah and the upcoming Novotel Makkah.

This new signing is set to help broaden the lodging offer in Mecca and to support the growth of religious tourism in Saudi Arabia.

Accor reports that it currently operates 48 hotels in the Kingdom, representing more than 21,600 rooms. The group also has a pipeline of 47 additional properties, i.e. more than 11,400 rooms.

The development of this portfolio should also contribute to job creation and the training of Saudi talents. Through its Tamayyaz by Accor program, run with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the group plans to train and recruit more than 3,000 Saudi nationals by 2030.

TGV: Brussels–Strasbourg–Basel High-Speed Line to Open in 2027

September 3, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Une liaison TGV directe va relier Bruxelles, Strasbourg et Bâle dès l'été 2027, Depositphotos.com, Photo by FotoPrivet

TAP Air Portugal

The European rail network is undergoing a new development.

By directly connecting Belgium, the eastern part of France and Switzerland, the three historic operators that are SNCF, SNCB and CFF will optimize weekend connections, with a line linking Brussels, Strasbourg and Basel.

Ce prolongement offre également de nouvelles perspectives de correspondances internationales au-delà des terminus officiels.

Thus, travelers coming from Switzerland will be able to continue their journey to the Netherlands from Brussels or opt for a transfer at Lille to reach London.

Brussels-Strasbourg-Basel: A Weekend Rotation for International Travelers

From a practical standpoint, the timetable of this experiment has been designed to optimize half a day of travel.

The TGV will depart from Brussels-Midi station around 7:00 in the morning, stopping at the line’s usual intermediate stops, namely Lille-Europe, Roissy CDG TGV, Champagne-Ardenne TGV, Meuse TGV, Lorraine TGV and Strasbourg-Ville, with an expected arrival in Basel SBB around 12:30.

The return northbound trip will be organized in the early afternoon.

To read : SNCF becomes the official supplier of the Tour de France until 2028

The train will depart Basel SBB around 14:00 to perform the return journey and reach the Belgian capital around 19:00. For passengers making a change at Lille-Europe en route to the British capital, arrival in London is estimated at around 20:00 local time.

This fluidity of itinerary on the return journey illustrates the carriers’ desire to offer a solid and integrated alternative to regional air links.

Although the launch of this experimental service is pegged to the start of the summer departures in July 2027, the commercial timetable is already anticipated by the rail partners.

To read : SNCF raises its game with its new Optimum offer

Booking and ticket sales are officially planned to open in spring 2027.

126 Greek Monuments Open for the August 2026 Full Moon

August 20, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Our eyes will have been turned skyward for much of the summer. After the solar eclipse visible from parts of western Europe on August 12, the visitors and residents of Greece will have reason to rejoice on Friday, August 28. The Ministry of Culture is organizing, for the 27th consecutive year, several events during the full Moon. For the occasion, 126 monuments, architectural sites, and museums will be open from 7:30 p.m. to midnight across the country.

If you happen to be in Greece at that time, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover majestic places bathed in opal light. Some of the sites open at night are famous. For example, Delphi, a city on Mount Parnassus and a sanctuary where the oracle of Apollo once bellowed its predictions. A UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. On August 28, entry there will be free from 7:30 p.m.

Discover Ancient Sites Under the Moonlight in Greece

Some of these Greek moonlit encounters will include guided tours with specialists. This will be the case in the ancient city of Olympia, in the Peloponnese, birthplace of the Olympic Games, or in the town of Mystras, near the ancient city of Sparta. In Athens, several sites are also involved, of course. The Acropolis Museum will stay open until midnight, free of charge. The night-guided tours are all already sold out.

Among the 126 sites open to the public under the full Moon this year, many are lesser-known as well. Euronews specifically mentions the Nekromanteion of the Acheron, a sanctuary dedicated to Hades and Persephone, rulers of the Underworld in Greek mythology, in Epirus. “This site was built around darkness and rites, so visiting it at night under the full Moon is a new experience — probably closer to what it was meant to look like at the origin,” says Yahya Dawood, interviewed by Euronews.

The Nekromanteion of the Acheron, the oldest oracle site in Greece, will also be open to the public on the night of August 28. Some locations in Crete are also expected to open their doors during these few hours of the full Moon. The full list of affected sites is available on the Culture Ministry’s website. Some will even extend the festivities on August 29 and 30, 2026.

August Nights Full of Treasures in the Sky

The August full Moon is commonly called the Sturgeon Moon. The Republic of the Pyrenees explains that this name comes from the Algonquin people, who link each full Moon to a seasonal natural phenomenon. Yet at the end of August, sturgeons are easier to catch than usual.

This full Moon will be all the more notable this year because it coincides with a partially visible lunar eclipse in Europe (notably in its southwest). On the morning of August 28, the Earth will pass between the Moon and the Sun, casting a shadow on its natural satellite – observable safely without glasses!

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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.

Want to share your view on climate change in France? Join the Climate Eye photo contest!

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.