Strategy Archives - Com Namibia

Yohann Metayer-Claret Joins Naboo to Accelerate Its International Strategy

July 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Naboo renforce son comité exécutif avec l’arrivée de Yohann Metayer-Claret - Photo : Naboo

IFTM TourMaG Party

Naboo strengthens its executive committee.

The platform specialized in organizing corporate events announces the appointment of Yohann Metayer-Claret as Executive Vice President.

A strategic addition to support the group’s international expansion and to structure its relationships with hotel and event partners.

Boasting 20 years of experience in the tourism and MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), Yohann Metayer-Claret has held several leadership positions, both strategic and operational.

He notably left his mark at Ideal Meetings & Events (IME), a leading European player, where he held the roles of Chief Executive Officer and then President for nearly ten years.

Former IME Executive and COMEX Member at Châteauform’

During his time at IME, he led a broad transformation: structuring an offering tailored for major accounts, deploying digital tools, and consolidating the company’s position in the European market.

Parallèlement, il intègre le comité exécutif de Châteauform,’, contributing to the group’s growth strategy and to expanding its activities across Europe amid sector changes.

En rejoignant Naboo, Yohann Metayer-Claret will be tasked with steering and structuring partner relationships on a global scale. A key role to support the platform’s ambition in a market undergoing rapid transformation.

“His arrival marks a decisive milestone in our expansion“, notes Antoine Servant, COO and cofounder of Naboo. “Yohann joins our COMEX to carry our global vision and propel our partnerships strategy on a worldwide scale.”

A mission focused on international partnerships

Very involved in industry networks (CNA, GBTA, MPI), the new leader is recognized as an influential figure in European MICE. He has also advised tourism and hospitality executives in recent years on strategy and structural issues.

For Yohann Metayer-Claret, this appointment sits within a dynamic of deep transformation in the sector: “The future of MICE rests on a seamless duo of technological integration and fluid human support.” He articulates a clear ambition for Naboo: to surpass one billion euros in revenue within 24 months and to establish itself as a global market leader.

A graduate of INSEEC (Master 2 Marketing & Management), having studied at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Staffordshire University and University of Ballarat, Yohann Metayer-Claret is also pursuing a MBA for Entrepreneurs with Augment.org, underscoring a commitment to ongoing education focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.

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

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Installment Payments: A Crisis-Proof Strategy to Navigate Uncertainty

June 18, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The Freefall in Bookings for Spring 2026

Top of Travel

The barometer figures from EDV-Orchestra, published in April 2026, sketch a crisis landscape for the travel sector. March records a 15% drop in the number of bookings and a 19.4% decline in booking revenue, while departures are down 9.7% in the number of travelers.

Long-haul travel is particularly battered by tensions in the Middle East, with a 29% drop in bookings. The disruptions to Gulf hubs (United Arab Emirates and Qatar) are to blame, while Egypt and Turkey lose more than 66% of their bookings.

And for the summer of 2026, the outlook confirms this weakened trend: bookings for July–August are already 7% below last year in revenue. More telling still, the share of late bookings rises by 7% compared with 2025.

This dynamic weighs heavily on agencies and tour operators: March and April, traditionally key months for locking in summer sales, prove disappointing, creating unprecedented pressure on cash flow.

Installment payments, an immediate lever in the face of the crisis

In this tense context, installment payments (or BNPL, “buy now pay later”) emerge as an immediate operational response. First lever: remove budget constraints as prices soar. The average cart for summer 2026 already reaches €3,040, and long-haul packages are soaring due to the combined effects of rising jet fuel costs and tightening air capacity.

In this setup, the ability to split the payment into 2, 3 or 4 installments without fees dramatically changes the perception of cost. Sector data compiled by Alma confirms: BNPL leads to a 20% increase in the average cart for packages that combine transport and lodging. This uptick signals a psychological shift: rather than giving up in the face of a high price, the customer authorizes the trip initially planned by smoothing the financial outlay.

Second lever, crucial in the 2026 context: supporting the late-booking shift. The hesitancy linked to current uncertainty translates into an explosion of last-minute bookings, at the moment when prices are the highest. In this setup, installment payments offer this flexibility in a few clicks, with the same ease as a cash payment, even for substantial sums. Contrary to common beliefs that BNPL is limited to small baskets, solutions like Alma accept transactions up to €15,000, thus covering most family needs and even premium segments.

Third dimension often underestimated: adaptation to multichannel. Alma’s data thus show that 40% of installment payments in the travel sector are made at physical agencies. Just as during the Covid crisis, periods of uncertainty see customers favor human contact in agencies or by phone to be reassured. Alma supports this dynamic by enabling networks to offer installment payments across all channels, ensuring a consistent experience no matter the contact point.

Why over 410 operators have already embraced Alma

BNPL is now widely adopted in the travel sector. More than 410 operators currently trust Alma, including industry heavyweights: SNCF Connect, Sunweb, KLM, Perfect Stay, Weekendesk, Compagnie des Alpes, Showroomprivé, Corsica Ferry, Campings.com, and GNV.

The results speak for themselves: +10% in acquiring new customers, 15 to 30% of revenue generated via BNPL depending on the period, +6% loyalty. Installment payments facilitate the purchase decision at every stage, from discovery to repeat bookings.

This performance rests on a scoring model tailored to travel specifics. In a sector with high baskets and sometimes impulsive decisions, Alma has developed industry expertise that guarantees the maximum acceptance rate without increasing risk exposure.

When Installment Payments Become Essential

Beyond the cyclical response to the current crisis, BNPL is thus part of a durable transformation of consumer behavior. Today’s travelers refuse to choose between anticipation and flexibility. They want to be able to book at the moment they deem opportune, with payment options suited to their personal situation.

In a market that remains volatile, installment payments offer a structural answer. They turn uncertainty into a commercial opportunity by supporting new behaviors rather than letting them be dictated by conditions.

For travel professionals, Alma is no longer just an option but a permanent lever for commercial steering. In times of crisis, the solution secures sales by lifting budget barriers and supporting the late booking. In growth phases, it maximizes the average cart and improves loyalty.

While fuel surcharges accumulate and prices are not expected to revert immediately to pre-crisis levels, waiting for customers to get used to new rates is not a strategy. Alma offers an immediate solution to unlock sales: ease purchasing by smoothing the financial outlay, even for baskets now exceeding €3,000. More than 410 operators have already made this choice.

Would you like to learn more or propose Alma to your clients?

$Le paiement fractionné, réflexe anti-crise pour piloter l'incertitude$

Email : [email protected]

Site web : www.almapay.com

Egypt: A Heritage Destination and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Strategy

June 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

L'Égypte, 5 000 ans de patrimoine et une destination en perpétuel mouvement © IStock

Top of Travel

In a region where destinations open and close at the pace of crises, Egypt stands out as an exception. Year after year, the country continues to welcome travelers from around the world, propelled by an undeniable asset: 5,000 years of history, an archaeological heritage of incomparable richness, and a capacity for renewal that keeps the destination at the heart of current events.

In 2025, Egypt welcomed nearly 19 million tourists, a rise of 21% compared to the previous year. This performance places the country well above the global average for sector growth. The stated goal: 30 million visitors by 2030.

An Unparalleled Guardian of Heritage

Rare are the countries that unite under one authority the promotion of tourism and the preservation of archaeological heritage. Egypt took the step in 2019, merging its Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities into a single entity. An architecture built on a simple fact: in Egypt, heritage and tourism are inseparable. Every archaeological discovery becomes a world event. Every surge of visitors raises questions of conservation. Steering one without the other has never been an option.

The Ministry’s mission thus covers the entire chain: national tourism strategy, supervision of excavations and restoration, museum oversight, regulation of the hotel sector, promotion of the destination on international markets. A scope that makes this institution one of the most integrated public tourism actors in the world.

A Living Heritage That Continues to Reveal Itself

What distinguishes Egypt from most heritage destinations is that its heritage is not static. It continually renews itself. In 2020, the unearthing of more than 100 intact sarcophagi at Saqqara, dating back 2,500 years, made headlines worldwide. In 2021, the discovery of the “lost golden city” of Luxor was described by some Egyptologists as the most important find since Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. In 2023, new excavations at Saqqara revealed tombs adorned with remarkably well-preserved paintings.

These discoveries are not the product of chance. They result from a proactive policy by the Ministry, which has relaunched and structured excavation programs across the country, in collaboration with international archaeological missions. This ongoing flow fuels global interest in Egypt and keeps the destination in the media spotlight. For tourism professionals, this effect is tangible: every major discovery triggers a rise in online searches, press articles, and public interest. Archaeology functions here as an organic promotional tool, unmatched in the sector.

It is this ability to continually renew itself that makes Egypt a destination apart. Where other heritage destinations rely on a stock of attractions, Egypt keeps discovering itself.

The Grand Egyptian Museum: A New Major Asset

The Grand Egyptian Museum is the centerpiece of this strategy. Located two kilometers from the Pyramids of Giza with a direct view of the plateau, it is the largest archaeological museum in the world, dedicated to a single civilization. The entire treasure of Tutankhamun, more than 57,000 objects, is gathered there for the first time in one place after having been dispersed for a century. Since its opening, the GEM has attracted nearly 500,000 visitors in a single month.

For a tour operator planning Egypt, the GEM concretely changes the product. It transforms the classic half-day “pyramids + Sphinx” into a full-day experience with high added value. It enables themed itineraries that deepen the stay. And it creates an internationally renowned cultural entry point that repositions Cairo alongside museums such as the Louvre or the British Museum.

Le Grand Musée Égyptien, au pied des pyramides de Gizeh, plus grand musée archéologique au monde © Ministère du Tourisme et des Antiquités

A Diversifying Offering

Beyond its pharaonic heritage, Egypt broadens its palette. The Red Sea coast continues to upscale for seaside and diving experiences, with occupancy rates exceeding 90% in peak season. New destinations are emerging and greatly enriching programming possibilities: the Fayoum Oasis for travelers seeking nature and authenticity, Siwa for its unique character at the gates of the Libyan desert, Alexandria for its Mediterranean heritage. The coastal city of New Alamein has established itself as a major new hub, with a dramatic rise in charter traffic.

This diversification enables professionals to craft stays that combine ancient culture, seaside, adventure, and discovery, all in one destination reachable in 4 hours 30 minutes from Paris. For agencies and tour operators, it’s a strong argument: Egypt is not a single-product destination; it is a country with multiple entry points, capable of meeting a wide range of expectations.

Bien au-delà des pyramides, l'Égypte diversifie son offre entre oasis, mer Rouge et côte méditerranéenne © IStock

A Laboratory for Global Tourism

Learn More

L'Égypte, destination patrimoine : la stratégie du Ministère du Tourisme et des Antiquités

Ministry website:

www.presidency.eg

Egypt Experience website:

www.experienceegypt.eg

HotelRez Names New VP of Platform Strategy

June 14, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Gary Torres, nouveau vice-président d'HotelREZ, photo HotelREZ

Top of Travel

It’s official! Gary Torres has been named Vice President Platform Strategy at HotelREZ. This is a global company specializing in travel representation and distribution in the hospitality industry.

Gary Torres is a man with more than 20 years of experience designing and developing technology products tailored to travel and hospitality. He previously held executive roles at major industry players such as Pegasus Solutions and Duetto.

“I am excited to join HotelREZ at such a pivotal moment in its evolution. The focus on building a robust, forward-looking platform is compelling, and I look forward to advancing our connectivity infrastructure and supporting the continued growth of REZswitch® at the pace of our global expansion.” he stated.

Sharon Rubin, Director of Product and Marketing at HotelREZ, adds:

“Gary brings deep platform expertise and a clear understanding of how to evolve connectivity within a complex global ecosystem. His leadership will strengthen the foundations of our platform as we continue to grow with reliability, security, and consistency at the core of our priorities.”

This appointment marks the fourth senior leadership hire since December, following John Seaton as Chief Growth Officer, Hadley O’Dwyer as Vice President of Customer Success and Engagement, and Frank Fuentes as Senior Vice President for the Americas.

Read: Sabre and HotelREZ renew their partnership

As part of his role, Gary Torres will be focused on achieving precise strategic objectives, namely:

strengthen the core infrastructure to securely and resiliently support the company’s worldwide growth.

enhance connectivity, data governance, and collaboration with global partners.

An evolution of REZswitch®: Gary Torres will lead the evolution of this essential bidirectional API, which links property management systems (PMS) to the central reservation system (CRS).

Australia Launches New Strategy Targeting French Travelers

June 13, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

L'ATE26 a réuni acheteurs internationaux et fournisseurs australiens autour de 55 000 rendez-vous d'affaires - Photo : Tourism Australia

Dream Yacht

Adelaide, May 2026. On Kaurna land of Tarntanya, in South Australia, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), the largest professional tourism trade show in Australia, is hosting its 46th edition, bigger than ever.

For four days, the industry’s must-attend gathering brought together international buyers and Australian suppliers around 55 000 business appointments.

The context could have weighed on it. Since February 28, 2026 and the halt to long-haul bookings linked to the Middle East conflict, the industry had expected a cautious, perhaps dull edition.

But the opposite occurred. In the natural light of the Convention Centre, eyes and exchanges carried a rare energy. Several regulars describe it as one of the best editions since pre-Covid, in terms of conversations and the level of buyers present.

A form of resilience, very Australian, which gave ATE26 its distinctive atmosphere.

For France, a historic and strategic market, the show marks an important milestone. In a private room at the Convention Centre, Robin Mack, the new Managing Director of Tourism Australia, granted TourMaG a quarter of an hour.

What he says about the French market and the organisation’s new strategic direction deserves the attention of travel professionals.

Robin Mack: “A high-contribution traveler does not mean a luxury traveler”

Dès les premières minutes de l’entretien, Robin Mack clarifie un point important. Avec Tourism 2035, la nouvelle feuille de route stratégique présentée à Adelaide, Tourism Australia ne cible pas uniquement les voyageurs de luxe.

L’objectif est plus large : attirer des voyageurs qui restent longtemps, dépensent davantage sur place et visitent plusieurs régions du pays. “We can host a leisure traveler who travels widely across the country“, précise Robin Mack.

“Et l’une des raisons pour lesquelles nous aimons nos visiteurs français, c’est qu’ils restent plus longtemps et sortent des grands circuits habituels.”

L’ambition, chiffrée, est claire : faire passer la dépense touristique totale de 33 milliards de dollars australiens en 2025 à une fourchette comprise entre 61 et 69 milliards à l’horizon 2035.

Pour y parvenir, Tourism Australia mise sur quatre priorités immédiates affichées dès l’ouverture du salon : gagner sur le marketing à destination des humains comme des intelligences artificielles, valoriser l’étendue de l’offre australienne, capitaliser sur les grands événements à venir, et définir un positionnement luxe distinctif.

La conjoncture conforte l’ambition : selon le Bureau australien des statistiques, l’Australie a accueilli 9,1 millions de visiteurs internationaux sur les douze derniers mois (+10%), avec un secteur loisir désormais revenu à ses niveaux d’avant 2020.

Mais le défi reste d’accélérer la conversion. “L’Australie est souvent sur la liste du ‘un jour j’irai’“, reconnaît Robin Mack. “Pour moi, il s’agit d’amener les voyageurs à se dire : ‘j’ai besoin d’y aller maintenant, pas plus tard’.”

AU$8,300 per trip: France, the premium market par excellence

Robin Mack : "L'une des raisons pour lesquelles nous aimons nos visiteurs français, c'est qu'ils restent plus longtemps et sortent des grands circuits habituels" - Photo : Sébastien Cros

Cette ambition globale trouve sa traduction la plus aboutie sur le marché français.

Selon Lucie Bottero, Country Manager Tourism Australia France, les chiffres avaient renoué dès décembre dernier avec les niveaux de 2019. Sur les douze derniers mois (février 2025 à février 2026), 150 000 Français sont arrivés sur le sol australien.

Surtout, la France est désormais le premier marché mondial en valeur de dépense, avec une moyenne de 8 300 dollars australiens (environ 5 000 euros) par personne et par voyage.

Près d’un voyageur français sur deux y reste trois semaines, bien au‑dessus de la moyenne internationale.

Le profil français incarne, presque à lui seul, le voyageur à forte contribution défini par Robin Mack.

2026 acte donc un repositionnement. “Le segment qu’on va pousser sur l’année prochaine, c’est le voyageur jeune à forte contribution, celui qu’on appelle le Young High Yield Traveler“, confirme Lucie Bottero.

Fini les budgets dédiés au programme Vacances-Travail, qui s’autoalimente désormais (46 000 jeunes Français accueillis en 2025). Place aux campagnes de conversion avec les compagnies aériennes, aux partenariats avec les comparateurs de voyage comme Kayak et Skyscanner, et à un axe événementiel fort autour du rugby.

Le 1er octobre prochain marquera, en effet, le coup d’envoi des célébrations de l’année précédant la Coupe du monde de rugby 2027, occasion attendue d’événements et de campagnes en France.

Sur le terrain, la France et la Côte ouest australienne tissent un lien renforcé. “On voit que beaucoup de Français vont dans l’Ouest, parce que c’est 16 heures depuis la France porte à porte. Le vol direct Paris-Perth, c’est un véritable tournant“, souligne Lucie Bottero.

Si cette liaison directe opérée en Boeing 787-9 est actuellement suspendue jusqu’à fin octobre 2026 pour adaptation de son trajet aérien (la connexion avec Paris étant assurée via Singapour), elle reste un levier stratégique majeur pour le marché français dans la perspective 2027.

For French tour operators, the message is threefold

Le voyageur premium au sens large s’impose désormais comme cœur de cible des plans de Tourism Australia, bien au-delà de l’ultra-luxe.

Les leviers de visibilité s’élargissent autour du rugby, des expériences signature de l’Australie (Signature Experiences of Australia) et du programme de formation Aussie Specialist, piloté en France par Adil Hmami, formateur officiel Aussie Specialist, qui sillonne le territoire pour former les agences.

“Le meilleur conseil que je puisse donner aux agents pour préparer leur saison 2027, c’est de compléter les modules sur le programme Aussie Specialist“, recommande Lucie Bottero.

Reste un signal de vigilance à intégrer dans les arbitrages commerciaux : les réservations à venir pour le Royaume-Uni et l’Europe affichent un recul de 14% sur la période mai-octobre 2026, à contre-courant de la croissance asiatique (+8%).

Rendez-vous est pris pour ATE27 du 16 au 20 mai 2027 au Centre international des congrès de Sydney, avec Destination Nouvelle-Galles du Sud comme État hôte, en pleine effervescence autour de la Coupe du monde de rugby.

D’ici là, la stratégie défendue à Adelaide aura été testée par les chiffres, autour de deux convictions. La première, durable, porte un nom : Green is Our Gold. La seconde, opérationnelle, passera par les voix des tour-opérateurs français qui font vivre l’Australie auprès de leurs clients.

Deux objectifs qui éclairent, chacun à leur manière, la nouvelle ambition australienne sur le marché français.

Sébastien Cros

Sébastien Cros est journaliste indépendant et photographe basé en Australie, fondateur de WeTravelAustralia™.

Après vingt-cinq ans dans l’industrie touristique australienne, notamment comme Managing Director d’Across Australia (groupe Goway), il consacre désormais son écriture à des récits éditoriaux dédiés à la destination, à la croisée du storytelling, de la photographie et du regard de terrain.