TRAVEL Archives - Page 10 of 12

Minor Hotel Group to Strengthen Ties with Travel Agencies

July 8, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Le programme Minor PRO Agencies est dédié aux professionnels @Minor hotels

IFTM

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

Anantara Hotels & Resorts célèbre son 25e anniversaire - Anantara

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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Non-IATA Travel Agencies: RESANEO Helps You Manage Your Groups

July 6, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Non-IATA Agencies, Resaneo Supports You in Managing Your Groups

IFTM

Jean-Pol Leclercq, Sales Director at RESANEO, explains: “We can understand how Air France’s announcement about ceasing direct group management for non-IATA agencies might cause a bit of anxiety among these agencies. And yet, there’s really no reason to stress because RESANEO takes over.

You can continue selling and assisting your clients without any technical or administrative barriers. We offer you the perfect way to secure your files in a flash, and I can share at least three solid reasons to choose us for your groups.

First: Whether you are IATA or not, our service is open to everyone. You keep control of your client while we handle everything else.

Second: With us, it will be zero stress and maximum expertise. With optimized rates, option tracking, name-list management, etc., our dedicated team takes care of everything. You’ll have the option to request early issuance of a group to lock in the fare and avoid possible spikes in kerosene prices.

Third: With our volumes and our agreements, you benefit from our bargaining power to secure better commercial terms.

And making a request is truly a piece of cake. All you need to do is go to the Quotations tab, then Group Quote, and follow the guided steps to provide all the necessary information about your group.

Resaneo also offers the direct flights calendar…

Jean-Pol explains: “Our flight calendar is far from being a gimmick. This tool lets you directly access the various rotation days of direct flights around the world. In short, Resaneo provides you with a clear and rapid overview of all flight possibilities. For agencies, it’s a precious time saver with proven efficiency, helping to improve productivity and facilitate sales. Just like white-label brands, the flight calendar is fully explained within the training programs we offer to our clients.”

… and a CO₂ emissions calculator

Resaneo provides you with a CO₂ emissions calculator

This calculator, developed by Google, known as the Travel Impact Model, is designed to estimate the CO₂ emissions of the flights shown by the booking engine.

The emissions for each flight, the average emissions for the route, and the difference between the two are displayed on the flight search results page.

The computation of these emissions is based on a methodology published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Jean-Pol Leclercq, Sales Director of Resaneo, specifies: “We want to make life easier for our agencies by continually adding more services, but we do so in a friendly and instantly understandable way. Indeed, beyond the number of bags included and the option to put a flight on hold, we also indicate whether the flight emits more or less CO₂ than the average for other flights on the same route.

We symbolize this with a small cloud ☁️, which helps you see whether the chosen flight sits within the lower or higher end of CO₂ emissions. Agencies can, if they wish, inform their clients about the carbon footprint of the flight they are considering. This also helps facilitate selling a direct flight, even if it is priced higher than a connecting one.

It’s simple and very complete, since hovering over the ☁️ reveals all the information.”

Sign up for Resaneo trainings

Marion, Head of Resaneo Account Managers, and her team invite you to discover all the secrets of Resaneo during 45-minute sessions. She explains: “We run 4 sessions per week, from Tuesday to Friday, to train our agencies on all the services offered and to answer any questions about user needs. Most often Giacomo will take care of you.

Each new agency registered on Resaneo automatically benefits from this training, and those who are already clients can, of course, participate. With staff changes and new entrants into the profession, Resaneo trainings are more useful than ever.

We have also chosen to prioritize individual trainings that work better than webinars, allowing us to capture the full attention of agencies and foster constructive exchanges. To sign up, it’s easy—just click HERE »

Agences non IATA, RESANEO vous accompagne dans la gestion de vos groupes

Contact us at 0892 49 41 41

Not registered yet? It’s right here

Follow us:

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Air Caraïbes Celebrates 25 Years of Travel With Its Customers

July 5, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

La marque Air Caraïbes célèbre 25 ans de voyages avec ses clients, photo Air Caraïbes

CroisiEurope

This year, Air Caraïbes marks its 25 years of existence: a quarter-century of history and growth dedicated to connecting mainland France, the Antilles, French Guiana, and the Caribbean. Since its creation, the airline has achieved a highly symbolic milestone by carrying 30 million passengers, equal to about 30 times the combined population of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and French Guiana.

This success is, above all, the story of a family-owned entrepreneurial venture. Air Caraïbes arose from the takeover and restructuring of struggling regional Antillean carriers led by Jean-Paul Dubreuil. Today, the group is chaired by his son, Paul-Henri Dubreuil.

The company distinguished itself by becoming the first French carrier to operate the Airbus A350 XWB. It will continue on this momentum starting October 15, becoming the first to operate flights to Saint-Martin Juliana in the A350-900.

In terms of network, the airline currently serves nine destinations from Paris-Orly. It maintains a dense schedule with up to 120 long-haul flights and around 190 regional flights per week. To support this activity, Air Caraïbes relies on a fleet of 13 aircraft (including seven latest-generation Airbus A350 XWB) and the commitment of more than 1,200 employees.

To read: LIAT and Air Caraïbes join forces to strengthen Caribbean connectivity

A major contest to thank travelers

To celebrate this anniversary, Air Caraïbes has launched a major prize draw titled “30 Million Thanks!”. The campaign, which begins this Tuesday, June 2, 2026, will run until June 11, 2026.

Completely free and with no purchase requirement, the contest is accessible directly on the airline’s website.

It is open to residents of Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint Martin, and mainland France. Up for grabs for participants: 10 round-trip tickets to be won on the airline’s transatlantic network.

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Google Search Trends: What Travel Agencies Should Anticipate in 2027 [ABO]

June 30, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

CroisiEurope

Your traveler will pass through Google, sooner or later. The platform accounts for more than 93% of online searches in France (StatCounter, 2025) and handles about 14 billion queries per day worldwide (SparkToro, 2025).

But reducing Google to a search engine in 2026 greatly underestimates what you are dealing with.

Sophie is searching for her trip to Brazil on Google Search, but she also watches inspirational videos on YouTube, checks itineraries on Google Maps, encounters content in her Discover feed between search sessions, and receives emails in Gmail.

Google is a complete ecosystem of touchpoints, each corresponding to a different stage of a traveler’s decision journey.

Conversational AI platforms, despite the media buzz they generate, accounted for 0.16% of total internet traffic in France in 2025 (SE Ranking, 2025).

OpenAI projects $14 billion in losses in 2026 despite $13 billion in revenue, no advertising format exists in these tools to date, and AI Overviews are not deployed in France.

Google, on the other hand, remains profitable and keeps the user within its ecosystem. Sophie might use ChatGPT in week 1 for inspiration. In week 6, when she’s looking for a reliable agency, she returns to Google.

Google is evolving, though. Short search queries of 1 to 2 words, which represented 42% of searches in January 2025, dropped to 31% by June (Kartic Ahuja, 2025).

Where a traveler used to type “Brazil circuit” in 2018, today they type “Brazil family circuit 2 kids 15 days February.” For an agency whose campaigns target only generic keywords, a growing share of qualified demand escapes them each month.

The real journey of a traveler: Sophie wants to travel to Brazil

Sophie is 38 years old, she lives in Lyon, she has 2 children. She has dreamed of Brazil for several years.

This Monday evening, lying on the sofa after putting the kids to bed, she picks up her phone and types “family Brazil trip February” into Google. She has no intention of booking tonight. She just wants to begin to see, to feel, to imagine.

Week 1. She explores. She watches YouTube videos about Rio and the Amazon, reads blogs from traveling families, accumulates references. She broadens her consideration universe without yet comparing or choosing. This is where SEO plays its role: if your agency publishes expert content about Brazil for families, Sophie may find you before she even thinks of looking for an agency. It’s the discovery lever.

Week 3. Her queries change in nature. “Family Brazil trip” becomes “Brazil circuit 15 days Rio Iguazu Amazon” then “Brazil family travel agency specialist.” She compares itineraries, eliminates options, tightens her criteria. She evaluates. Google Performance Max comes into play: automatically broadcasting your ads on all Google surfaces—Search, YouTube, Gmail, Maps, Discover and Display—it tracks Sophie as she moves across platforms and keeps your presence at every step of her thinking. It’s the lever of coverage and repetition.

Week 6. She looks for proof. “Reviews of Brazil family travel agency,” “testimonials: Brazil circuit with kids.” She reads your Google reviews, checks your Trustpilot page, opens your About page. She wants to know to whom she will entrust two weeks of family life and a budget of 12,000 euros. According to the study “Decoding Decisions” (Google / The Behavioural Architects, 31,000 real buyers), 70% of purchase decisions are influenced by factors other than price, with social proof at the top. Your customer reviews are at this stage as important as your ads. It’s the lever of reassurance.

Week 8. She types your exact name into Google. She already knows you, one way or another. Google Search captures this final intention with precision: it is the decision lever, the one most directly linked to the booking. And if she had filled out a form but didn’t finish during a previous visit, a well-targeted email could have helped bring her back. It’s the lever of the relationship over time.

“The Power of Travel 2050”, published in January 2026 by Google and Alvarez & Marsal based on billions of queries, documents this cycle: 60 to 90 days between the first search and final booking for high-value circuits.

According to Google Consumer Insights, the traveler consults an average of 38 digital sources before contacting a provider. A prospect must be exposed to a brand’s message at least 7 times before making a purchase decision (Braithwaite Communications, 2025).

Between Week 1 and Week 8, Sophie encountered several agencies. Some were present only at the final decision moment. Others had seeded touchpoints throughout her 60 days of reflection. And it is precisely toward those agencies that she sent her quotation request.

Five levers allow you to build this presence, without starting everything at once: Google Search and customer reviews first, Performance Max, then SEO and email, at the pace of your growth.

What 2026 behaviors signal for 2027 and beyond

The trends documented in this article outline a clear trajectory. Here is what a travel agency should anticipate now:

1. Tracking and data have become foundations, not options. With the gradual end of third-party cookies, agencies that have built a solid customer database—emails, on-site behaviors, booking history—will have a durable edge over competitors. A reliable measurement system is the prerequisite for any serious advertising decision.

2. AI agents will enter travel planning. Google and others are developing assistants capable of designing a complete itinerary from expressed preferences. Well-ranked, well-rated, and well-documented agencies on their destinations will be the ones these agents recommend first. That said, no algorithm will replace the judgment of an experienced travel advisor, their ability to detect what a client doesn’t yet know how to express, nor the legal guarantee and human support offered by a licensed agency in case of contingencies. AI helps to discover. The agency protects, advises, and reassures.

3. Personalization of ads will accelerate. Google possesses highly granular behavioral data. Agencies that properly feed their campaigns with their own customer data will achieve increasingly precise targeting, and acquisition costs will mechanically drop.

4. The decision cycle will shorten for strong brands. Experienced travelers decide faster when they trust. An agency with a clear brand, solid reviews, and visible destination expertise does not need 60 days to convince Sophie. She needs 20.

5. Video and UGC (User Generated Content) will become standalone acquisition levers. YouTube Shorts and immersive video formats are advancing in search and inspiration behaviors. Beyond formats, it is the authentic stories of travelers that will make the difference: a client who shares their Brazil experience in video, in a story, in a detailed review, is worth more than any studio-produced advertisement.

6. The true competitive advantage of a travel agency remains the human touch. Quality service, a well-constructed offer, a personalized experience and the ability to spread it by those who have lived it: this is where loyalty and digital word-of-mouth are built. Robert Cialdini demonstrated this with social proof; Dale Carnegie with the art of building lasting relationships: people decide with emotion before justifying with reason. Travel is a 100% emotional experience. Agencies that succeed in getting their travelers to speak, to collect UGC, to transform every satisfied client into an ambassador, build something no algorithm can buy.

Also read: Travel agencies: how much to invest in Google Ads to acquire a customer in 2026?

In brief

– Google accounts for more than 93% of online searches in France and processes about 14 billion queries per day worldwide.

– Your prospects’ search habits have evolved dramatically: searches are longer, more precise, and a traveler’s journey before requesting a quote now spans 60 to 90 days and multiple channels.

– Conversational AI tools are getting a lot of attention, but still represent only 0.16% of total internet traffic in France (SE Ranking, 2025).

– The fundamentals of Google Ads remain solid.

– The real question for a travel agency in 2026: are you present at every stage of your prospect’s journey, or only at the last one?

Spain, Amadeus, Sri Lanka: This Week’s Travel News

June 28, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

La revue de presse internationale de la semaine - Depositphotos.com Auteur serezniy

CroisiEurope

In the week’s press review for May 25, 2026:

Alpitour delays its IPO while WeRoad attracts Airbnb

The hotels along the German coast slash prices despite strong demand

Sri Lanka waives visa fees for 40 countries

YouTrip launches a travel card for children and adolescents

International flights to Spain surge for the summer of 2026

HomeToGo unveils an index of destinations accessible with a single tank of fuel

Universal Kids Resort: an amusement park entirely dedicated to children opens in Texas

Amadeus hit with a record €18 million fine in Spain

Did you know? Amid a heatwave, not all French hotels are air-conditioned

Alpitour delays its IPO while WeRoad attracts Airbnb

Le groupe italien Alpitour retarde son entrée en bourse, quand la startup milanaise WeRoad lève 58 millions de dollars auprès d’Airbnb. @depositphotos/Ai825

The Italian group Alpitour has pushed back its initial public offering to 2027 due to ongoing uncertainties in the travel market. Despite solid financial results, its main shareholder believes the current climate is not conducive to a listing.

Conversely, the Milan-based startup WeRoad, focused on community-based travel for Millennials and Gen Z, has just raised $58 million from Airbnb. Its model, built around small group trips sharing common interests, continues to attract investors even though profitability remains uncertain.

This situation illustrates how the tourism sector is evolving, with digital and community-driven models gaining ground against traditional tourism.

An article to be found on ttgitalia.com

Hotels along the German coast cut prices despite strong demand

Malgré un contexte favorable, de nombreux hôtels de la mer du Nord et de la mer Baltique réduisent leurs tarifs. @depositphotos/aldorado

Despite a promising summer season and healthy occupancy rates, many hotels along the North Sea and Baltic Sea are cutting their prices.

According to a Kohl + Partner study, these establishments, particularly on the Baltic coast, are reacting to later and more unpredictable bookings by adopting defensive pricing strategies.

Experts caution, however, about the risks of such a policy, which could undermine long-term profitability and the positioning of hotels. In the face of a more volatile market, professionals are encouraged to adopt more flexible pricing strategies.

Read more on reisevor9.de

Sri Lanka waives visa fees for 40 countries

Depuis le 25 mai, les visas pour 40 pays, dont la France, sont gratuits. @depositphotos/fits21

Since May 25, Sri Lanka offers 30-day free visas to tourists from more than 40 countries, including France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

This measure aims to attract more visitors to a destination known for its beaches, UNESCO-listed sites and rich wildlife. Travellers must still obtain an electronic travel authorization before arrival.

Source: euronews.com

YouTrip launches a travel card for children and adolescents

The Singapore-based fintech YouTrip unveiled « YouTrip Family », a card and multi-currency mobile wallet geared toward young travelers aged 7 to 18. The service is free, with no conversion fees, and offers real-time exchange rates for international use.

Parents can manage top-ups, set spending limits and monitor their children’s transactions through the app.

According to YouTrip, this under-18 segment remains largely overlooked by Asian fintechs, despite a strong potential to foster financial education from an early age.

Read more on skift.com

HomeToGo reveals an index of destinations reachable with a single tank of fuel

Universal Kids Resort: a park fully dedicated to children opens in Texas

The Universal Kids Resort amusement park will open on July 1 in Frisco, Texas.

Designed specifically for children, this eight-hectare park will feature seven themed universes drawing on popular franchises such as Shrek, Jurassic World, SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions, Trolls, Puss in Boots and Gabby’s Dollhouse.

Tickets, hotel packages and annual passes are already on sale, with prices starting at $54.99. Visitors will also have the option to stay at the park’s hotel, which offers 300 rooms and family suites, plus a restaurant and an outdoor pool.

An article from travelweekly.com

Amadeus fined a record €18 million in Spain

L’autorité espagnole de protection des données (AEPD) a infligé une amende de 18 millions d’euros à Amadeus pour deux violations du RGPD. @depositphotos/modesto3

The Spanish data protection authority (AEPD) has levied an €18 million fine against Amadeus for using the personal data of millions of travelers in an internal pilot project without a valid legal basis or user consent.

The project aimed to create detailed traveler profiles from booking data to develop personalized offers for airlines, hotels and travel agencies. The AEPD accuses the company of two GDPR violations: lack of legal consent and insufficient transparency to customers.

Amadeus contests the decision and plans to appeal, arguing that the project did not involve any personal data and was limited to aggregated statistical analyses.

A report from reisevor9.de

Did you know? In the middle of a heatwave, not all French hotels are air-conditioned

Souvent considérée comme un standard du confort hôtelier, tous les établissements français ne sont pas équipés de climatisation. @depositphotos/OlezzoSimona

While France basks in a spell of extreme heat, many travelers are discovering that air conditioning is not mandatory in French hotels, even during heatwaves.

Some standards align with star ratings, but a number of establishments, particularly independents or those pursuing eco-friendly practices, choose to operate without air conditioning.

Yet with increasingly hotter summers, the lack of air conditioning is becoming a more important consideration for guests when booking.

Read more on lefigaro.fr

HX Recruits 350 Travel Advisors to Promote Expedition Cruises

June 27, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Les participants ont pu découvrir l'ensemble de l'offre à bord : détente dans le sauna panoramique, jacuzzis et piscine, ou encore dégustation de gaufres préparées sur le pont supérieur, avec vue sur la mer du Nord - Photo : HX, Timo Hein

CroisiEurope

HX Expeditions a accueilli, du 5 au 7 mai 2026, plus de 350 conseillers en voyages à bord du MS Fridtjof Nansen, à l’occasion d’un voyage de familiarisation d’ampleur.

Objectif : immerger les partenaires commerciaux dans l’expérience HX de l’intérieur, afin qu’ils puissent mieux la raconter et la vendre à leurs clients.

L’itinéraire a conduit les participants vers Helgoland, en mer du Nord allemande, avec des débarquements sur l’île principale et l’îlot de Düne, des rencontres avec la faune locale et plusieurs activités encadrées par les équipes d’expédition.

À bord, les conseillers ont aussi pu tester l’offre du navire, entre sauna panoramique, jacuzzis, piscine et dégustation de gaufres sur le pont supérieur.

A Recreated 19th-Century Cabin

Également, dans le centre scientifique du navire, les participants ont échangé avec les scientifiques et l’équipe d’expédition, tout en découvrant les initiatives de science citoyenne proposées aux passagers : analyse du plancton, paysages sonores océaniques, météorologie ou observation des nuages, en lien avec l’initiative NASA GLOBE Observer.

Durant ce voyage, HX Expeditions a également dévoilé la « Cabine 1896 », une expérience immersive proposée à bord du MS Fridtjof Nansen.

Inspirée des premières expéditions de la fin du XIXᵉ siècle, elle permet aux passagers de passer une nuit dans un espace reconstitué avec décors d’époque et ambiance historique.

L’expérience est proposée au tarif de 100 euros par personne, pour trois personnes maximum. La moitié des bénéfices est reversée à la Fondation HX, qui soutient des projets environnementaux, scientifiques et communautaires dans les destinations visitées.

Anniversary Offers

La compagnie a aussi dévoilé plusieurs offres commerciales liées à son 130e anniversaire, dont un incentive de 130 euros par réservation pour les conseillers en voyages, valable du 1er mai au 31 juillet 2026, ainsi qu’un crédit aérien pouvant atteindre 1 000 euros par personne sur certains départs en Antarctique 2026-2027.

HX propose également une offre anniversaire avec jusqu’à 25% de réduction ou des surclassements en suite offerts sur une sélection de voyages, pour des réservations effectuées entre le 1er mai et le 31 août 2026.

Oceania Cruises Rewards Travel Agents With a Free Cruise

June 25, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Oceania Cruises lance une nouvelle opération incentive à destination des conseillers voyages européens - Depositphotos.com @portosabbia

CroisiEurope

The luxury cruise line Oceania Cruises is launching a new commercial stimulation campaign aimed at European travel advisors.

Named “Sell 5 & Sail Free”, the program runs from June 1 to June 30, 2026 and seeks to reward professionals who make new bookings on itineraries scheduled for 2026.

Under the challenge rules, travel advisors who log five new eligible bookings during the reference period will be eligible to receive a complimentary cruise from a selection of itineraries offered by the line.

An immersion into the Oceania Cruises experience

Through this initiative, Oceania Cruises aims to allow sellers to directly discover its product.

The company highlights its intimate-sized ships, its itineraries focused on immersive port calls, and its renowned culinary offering, regularly presented as one of its key strengths.

The rewarded professionals will thus be able to experience the concept “The Joy of Travelling Well” and the benefits included in the Your World Included® program.

The complimentary cruise includes accommodation for two people, access to all onboard restaurants, gratuities, Wi-Fi for one device per guest, and the choice between a drinking package or an excursions credit.

2026 itineraries Across Multiple Continents

The challenge encompasses all cruises scheduled in the company’s 2026 program. This includes numerous destinations, notably in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Asia.

To be counted, bookings must be made between June 1 and June 30, 2026, with a deposit paid by July 10, 2026. Consecutive cruises will be counted as a single booking for the purpose of the operation.

The company notes that this offer is subject to availability and limited in number of seats. Specific conditions apply regarding the eligibility of bookings and the allocation of the complimentary cruises.

The detailed terms and conditions of the challenge are accessible on Oceania Cruises’ dedicated sales partners portal.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Hurtigruten: Travel Agencies Are Highly Responsive

June 25, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Grâce à son recentrage sur la Norvège, Hurtigruten a conforté sa place de référence sur cette destination auprès des voyageurs français © Hurtigruten / Espen Mills

CroisiEurope

While customers are hesitant to decide, distribution networks are redoubling their efforts to stimulate demand.

A mobilization welcomed by Christine Bois-Beauval, France managing director of Hurtigruten.

« We had an excellent first quarter, which keeps us ahead of our objectives », explains the leader. « However, since April and May, things are quieter. »

In May 2026, the company’s sales fell by 15% compared with the same period in 2025. A slowdown being felt by a large part of the French tourism market, in a context marked by economic uncertainties and concerns about air travel.

Hurtigruten has thus had to respond to health concerns following the Hantavirus episode.

Distribution networks at the helm

In response to this situation, Christine Bois-Beauval emphasizes the responsiveness of travel agencies and distribution networks.

« I find that the distribution is very reactive », she says. « We have campaigns with Havas Voyages, TourCom or even TUI. There is a real willingness to work together. »

Promotional campaigns, dedicated storefronts, last-minute operations, trainings in person and via videoconference: initiatives are multiplying to support sales.

« Nobody wants to give up. We are all in the same boat», continues she. The company is notably seeing a strong participation in training sessions organized around the new brochure and its Norwegian products.

The company will participate this weekend in the Cruise and Travel Show organized by Périer Voyages in Le Havre, a meeting that will allow it to meet travelers directly and better gauge their expectations for the coming months.

« We need these moments of interaction with customers », stresses Christine Bois-Beauval.

The Norway Advantage

Christine Bois-Beauval directrice générale France d'Hurtigruten - Photo Hurtigruten

Despite the slowdown observed since spring, Hurtigruten continues to benefit from the appeal of Norway.

The company believes it benefited early in the year from its strategic refocus on this destination after the separation of its expedition activities.

« We have become more than ever the reference for Norway », says Christine Bois-Beauval.

The destination is benefiting, for example, from the growing enthusiasm for the “coolcation,” that search for milder destinations during the summer, as well as the still-strong interest in the Northern Lights.

A new brochure geared toward 2027-2028

If the market remains cautious in the short term, Hurtigruten continues its commercial investments and is already preparing the 2027-2028 seasons.

The company recently unveiled its new Norway & Spitzbergen brochure, which further strengthens its positioning as a destination specialist.

Among the novelties are three limited-edition Signature itineraries, a new Arctic Line between Copenhagen and Tromsø, and the strengthening of French-speaking departures on the Coastal Express. The Signature cruises will also continue to offer Francophone support aboard.

While sales have stalled since spring, the leader hopes for a revival of demand in the coming weeks.

The task now is to convert this mobilization into bookings. And if the market wakes up by then, Hurtigruten’s teams will be able to breathe a sigh of relief before the Norway-France World Cup match on June 26!

Published by Laurent Guéna Journalist – TourMaG.com
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Asia, Africa, Europe: Latest Travel Requirements

June 24, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

CroisiEurope

Despite this (fresh) end of summer and the recent return to activity, many travelers are preparing to hit the road again, whether for business or off-season leisure.

However, some rules of the game have changed.

Travel formalities for a few destinations, often influenced by health and geopolitical policies, have recently undergone several adjustments.

Here is therefore a tour of the latest changes, restrictions, obligations and relaxations of travel that have come into force, so that you can plan your upcoming trips, or those of your clients, under the best possible conditions.

ASIA : travel formalities are evolving in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, …

SRI LANKA : the e-Visa is suspended but a visa exemption announced for 38 countries

Since August 2, 2024, and a court ruling concerning the allegedly suspect management of the service, the e-Visa system has been suspended until further notice in Sri Lanka.

While awaiting a judicial resolution of this situation, travelers can obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, and according to the latest authorities’ announcements, visitors from 38 countries, including France, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland, will benefit from visa exemption in the coming weeks.

Details are expected to be published starting October 8.

PAKISTAN : 126 countries benefit from free visa

Since August 14, tourists and business travelers from 126 countries obtain a free electronic visa valid for 3 months with multiple entries to Pakistan.

This e-Visa is issued in less than 24 hours and the application process is greatly simplified.

French, Belgian, Canadian and Swiss travelers are eligible for this new electronic visa.

THAILAND : ETA travel authorization on the horizon

VisasNews reveals exclusively: Thailand is preparing to introduce an electronic travel authorization “ETA.”

This travel formalité will apply to citizens of 93 visa-exempt countries and territories for 60 days and should be free.

A pilot launching phase is planned for December next, before a full rollout announced by June 2025.

INDONESIA : a health pass to counter the Mpox virus

The Mpox virus takes us back to the dark days of Covid, especially regarding travel…

Since August 27, all travelers departing for Indonesia must hold a health pass before heading to the archipelago.

Named “SATUSEHAT Health Pass,” this health form must be completed online on the portal: sshp.kemkes.go.id.

CHINA : no fingerprints for visa until end of 2025

Until then, this fingerprinting requirement is suspended through the end of the year; Chinese visa applicants will not have their fingerprints collected before 2026.

The Embassy of China in France announces that short-stay visa applicants (up to 180 days) with single or double entry are exempt from fingerprint collection until December 31, 2025.

ISRAEL : ETA-IL requirement postponed to 2025

While it was due to take effect on August 1, 2024, the ETA-IL electronic travel authorization will finally be required only from January 1, 2025.

Israeli authorities announced that the pilot phase of the ETA-IL travel authorization, launched last July, has been extended until December 31, 2024.

Visa-exempt travelers to Israel will be required to hold an ETA-IL only from January 1, 2025.

AFRICA : mandatory insurance, e-Visa and possible reintroduction of visa under the program

MADAGASCAR : the 90-day e-Visa is back

While it previously allowed only 60 consecutive days in Madagascar, the e-Visa now allows an extra 30 days to stay in the country.

Suspended when the service resumed after the pandemic, Madagascar’s 90-day electronic visa was reactivated in August. Its price is set at 50 € or 55 US$.

ZIMBABWE : the electronic visa on arrival also reactivated

After having been required to obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe since last year, French travelers and citizens of 117 other countries can again apply for an e-Visa before departure.

Zimbabwe’s e-Visa portal has been revamped, and authorities have taken the opportunity to reinstate the electronic visa on arrival (e-Visa On Arrival) to simplify immigration formalities on arrival in the country.

Payable online, or on arrival in Zimbabwe, this e-Visa can be obtained in a matter of minutes.

TANZANIA : Zanzibar introduces mandatory insurance

From October 1 onward, visitors to Zanzibar will be required to hold mandatory insurance before traveling to the archipelago.

This requirement, which resembles more a stay tax and which concerns local tourism professionals, must be purchased through ZIC (Zanzibar Insurance Corporation) on the portal visitzanzibar.go.tz.

This insurance costs 44 US$, about 40 €, and covers solo travels up to 92 days per stay.

SÉNÉGAL : towards reintroducing visas for exempted countries ?

It has almost been 10 years since French and European tourists no longer need a visa to visit Senegal, but that could change soon…

Indeed, Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Yacine Fall, stated earlier this week that it is “important that Senegal revisit the issue of free visas and that we try to implement a reciprocity policy”.

This measure is being considered by the Senegalese government and, if implemented, could impact many countries, including European nations.

EUROPE : electronic travel authorization becomes widespread

UNITED KINGDOM : French and Europeans will need an ETA from 2025

A major and anticipated announcement for French and European tourists: the United Kingdom will require an electronic travel authorization ETA for its visa-exempt visitors starting in 2025.

The ETA will cost £10, about €12, and will be valid for 2 years, or until the passport expires if it has a shorter validity.

French and European tourists and business travelers will be able to apply for their ETA from March 5, 2025 on the GOV.UK portal or via the mobile app “UK ETA” on iOS and Android.

From April 2, 2025, presenting an ETA will be mandatory to enter the United Kingdom.

UKRAINE : an ETA in preparation

To secure its borders and strengthen control over the entry and exit of foreigners, Ukraine is also preparing an ETA.

Little information for now, but Ukrainian authorities are currently defining and approving a list of countries that will benefit from a visa-exemption regime for entering Ukraine, and whose citizens will have to submit “an electronic notification, in accordance with the established procedure, regarding their intention to enter Ukraine”.

CHANNEL ISLANDS : Jersey and Guernsey extend entry for French day-trippers with a national ID

Authorities in Jersey and Guernsey have decided to extend the measure allowing French day-trippers to enter with only a national ID card until the end of September 2025.

This program, which allowed French travelers to visit the two bailiwicks for a single day, without overnight stays, with just a national ID card, was originally set to end at the end of September.

The recent UK government’s announcement regarding the introduction of the ETA in April 2025 should normally prevent this program from ending in September 2025.

BELARUS : 35 European countries temporarily visa-exempt

European travelers from 35 countries no longer need a visa to enter Belarus by air or land.

This exceptional measure, which ends on December 31, 2024, allows stays of up to 30 days visa-free in the country and can be used an unlimited number of times but only within 90 days per calendar year.

AMERICA : the e-Visa is functional in Cuba

Announced last May to replace the tourist card, the electronic visa is now fully functional in Cuba

International travelers must now apply for their visa online on the evisacuba.cu portal. During the ordering process, it is necessary to select an embassy or consulate that will process the visa application and collect the e-Visa fees.

It is important to note that online payment by credit card is not possible. For residents of France, it is necessary to make a bank transfer or send a bank-certified check for the amount of 22 € to finalize the e-Visa application.

Some visa/vacation agencies, having a contract with a Cuban embassy, can issue e-Visas after online payment by credit card.

Travelers with a valid “Tarjeta del Turista” can still use it until the end of the year.

With the tourist card or the e-Visa in hand, it is essential to fill out the travel declaration “D’Viajeros” within 48 hours prior to departure, this step validating the electronic visa.

Sri Lanka Reintroduces the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

June 24, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

CroisiEurope

The Sri Lanka has just reintroduced its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) (Electronic Travel Authorization), replacing the e-Visa system that had been in place since April 2024.

According to VisasNews, this return to ETA signals a direct response to the numerous complaints raised by travelers and tourism industry stakeholders, who had highlighted high fees, increased complexity, and inefficient processing under the e-Visa regime.

The choice to revert to ETA was accelerated by a ruling from the Supreme Court, which suspended the e-Visa system as well as the contract with VFS Global, the company responsible for its administration, on August 2.

On X (formerly Twitter), the newly elected Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced yesterday that “the government has officially restored the former visa issuance system, effective from midnight tonight”.

The ETA travel authorization for Sri Lanka is (for now?) a paid requirement

Authorities have decided to relaunch ETA in order to restore a visa process that is smoother and more transparent, seen as essential to revitalize the country’s tourism sector, which was hard hit by the pandemic and other recent economic challenges.

The ETA can be requested before travel on the government portal eta.gov.lk.

The authorization is valid for six months and allows the holder to stay 30 days in Sri Lanka.

The ETA fee is set at US$50 (bank charges excluded).

Last month, the previous government announced that a visa exemption would be introduced for visitors from more than 30 countries, including France, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland. This offer was announced to last six months from October 1.

For now, the new administration has not confirmed either the continuation or the precise modalities (visa exemption, free ETA, the definitive list of eligible countries, etc.) for applying this potential temporary entry facility to Sri Lanka.