ER Hospitality: Renovations and Upgrades in Mauritius


Thierry Montocchio sur le stand de ER Hospitality à l'IFTM - Photo : PB

PONANT


Thierry Montocchio, CEO of ER Hospitality, surveys with calm confidence his order books for the next six months.

“ We are ahead of the same period of the previous year, he says. Nevertheless, reservations from France (the island of Mauritius’s leading hotel market) remain stable ”

In this relatively serene outlook, a few clouds do appear: the probable rise in airfares due to the latest developments of the Middle East war; and also the growing interest in the informal sector since, now, for a hotel stay, four out of ten holidaymakers prefer Airbnb, rental villas, and other options…

“ The informal sector is not always very transparent. There are minimum standards and rules nonetheless. Authorities should ensure they are better enforced. It is a matter of the destination’s reputation ”, suggests Thierry Montocchio, who is also president of the Association des Hôteliers et Restaurateurs de l’Île Maurice (AHRIM).

Despite these drawbacks, ER Hospitality’s commitment to creating an ecosystem of authentic, sustainable experiences anchored in Mauritian soil remains intact.

ER Hospitality was, as a reminder, born in 2025 from the strategic merger of the hotel and leisure hubs of the ENL and Rogers groups.

This major player in the Mauritian hotel and leisure sector operates eight hotels across upscale and mid-range segments under three brands: Heritage Resorts (luxury hospitality), Veranda Resorts, and Kaz’alala (charming hospitality).


New Developments at Veranda Resorts


Le Veranda Pointe aux Biches vient d'être rénové - Photo : Veranda Resorts

Its hotel renovations are proceeding as planned.

After a three-month closure to carry out a “ true and beautiful renovation, ” the boutique-hotel Veranda Pointe aux Biches**** reopened on September 1.

“ This might be the most popular Veranda, suggests Thierry Montocchio. It has a soul. It’s no coincidence it has enjoyed such enduring success. ”

Indeed, this establishment, which embraces a “barefoot” concept, offers a relaxed and intimate atmosphere inspired by Mauritian living, elevated by a tropical design and natural materials. It also features distinct areas, with one wing dedicated to families and another reserved for adults with a private pool and beach.

Two restaurants, two bars, a seaside spa (Seven Colours) and two outdoor pools round out its offering.

For its part, Veranda Tamarin is “increasingly popular,” asserts Thierry Montocchio. This boutique-hotel with a bohemian and Creole style, facing the iconic Tamarin Bay, is starting to attract its clientele: active people seeking distinctive places, adventurers needing comfort and the desire to explore the south and west of Mauritius, and to mingle with Mauritians since it sits on a public beach.

Another Veranda brand update: the Veranda Palmar Beach boutique-hotel (77 rooms) has changed its name and is now called Veranda Belle Mare, which makes sense since it sits on the island’s east coast facing the beautiful Belle Mare lagoon.

This will allow it to better capitalize on the positive image of the splendid beaches and the lagoon, ideal for water activities.


New Developments also at Domaine de Bel Ombre


Une fois encore, le golf La Réserve vient d'être distingué - Photo : ER Hospitality

Moreover, at Domaine de Bel Ombre, the Kaz’alala Hosted B&B are closed since late June to give way to a new chapter in their story. The reopening is planned for September 2027.

“ We will probably reopen under another name, with 45 keys. It will be a continuation of the gardens of Bel Ombre, ” promises Thierry Montocchio.

Another point of satisfaction for ER Hospitality’s CEO: the championship course La Réserve Golf Links, named in 2024 as the “Best New Golf in the World” during the World Golf Awards, has just secured the 28th global rank in Golfweek’s Best Top 100 International Courses 2026, ranking the best courses outside the United States.

It is also number 1 in Africa and in the Indian Ocean. In Thierry Montocchio’s view, this is “ an important recognition ” because golf remains a major strategic pillar for ER Hospitality.

While continuing to invest in golf (and wellness as well), Heritage Resorts & Golf will again host, from October 5 to 10, at Domaine de Bel Ombre, the “ Week of Gastronomy ”.

Focused on plant-based cuisine, it will be led by two international chefs: the French Thomas Benady, chef at L’Auberge Sauvage in Normandy, and Georgios Spandos, of Mediterranean origin who usually serves at Epoca on Réunion Island. As for the year-end celebrations, they will, as usual, feature “ special programs. ”


An Enhanced Commitment to the Environment

In parallel, the group continues to intensify its actions to minimize the environmental impact of its activities, particularly through its eco-responsible program Now for Tomorrow which promotes greener practices across its hotels, helps save what can be saved in the sea, and works to raise awareness of these issues through educational activities.

In this context, ER Hospitality is a partner of Odysseo, the largest Oceanarium in the Mascarene archipelago and the first of its kind on Mauritius.

Located on Port-Louis’s seafront, Odysseo offers a permanent immersive exhibition journey that explains the fragility of the marine biodiversity of the Indian Ocean.

Furthermore, for fifteen months (since October 14, 2026), it is the first to host ARCHIPEL MAURITIA, an artistic experience blending fiction and reality that reveals the diversity of Mauritius’s ecosystems and cultures, the richness of its history and geology.


PAULA BOYER Published by Paula Boyer LuxuryTravelMaG Journalist – TourMaG.com
See all articles by Paula Boyer

  • picto Twitter
  • picto Linkedin
  • picto email
Add TourMaG to your Google News feed Google Actualités icône

THAI Airways Adds Second Daily Flight From Paris and Upgrades Its Service


THAI Airways ajoute une deuxième fréquence quotidienne au départ de Paris - Photo : C.Hardin

PONANT


While he was about to board a flight to Paris to present his airline’s strategy to the French market, Chai Eamsiri, the CEO of THAI Airways, was abruptly dismissed from his position last weekend with immediate effect.

Flights were canceled, thousands of bags were blocked, and the chaos at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport following the severe weather would prove fatal for the head of the Thai national carrier.

But last Tuesday evening, there was no talk of this thunderclap among travel agents, tour operators, and partners gathered in the salons of the Meurice hotel, in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Thailand in France, Nikorndej Balankura.

In the land of smiles, it seems this crisis was managed by applying the company’s motto “Smooth as silk.” Calm, apparent gentleness, discretion.

Management will change, but the projects remain, particularly regarding increased capacities and new cabins to come.

As master of ceremonies, Serge Rigal, the Deputy Director of Sales at Thai Airways International, France, opened the evening by welcoming Viruj Ruchipongse, the Head of Brand, Products and Digital Marketing, who in his opening remarks wished to acknowledge the players in the French market.

“You are important partners and you are the ones who support Thailand’s image in France. You are also the ones who create the first step of the journey aboard our airline. We value your role and would like, with you tonight, to share our plans, listen to you, and strengthen our partnership.”


Europe: premium-value creator


Rithavee Plikarnon, le responsable des équipes France, Italie, Belgique et Royaume-Uni. Photo : C.Hardin

It was then Rithavee Plikarnon, the head of the teams for France, Italy, Belgium and the United Kingdom, who took over to present the commercial directions and new products.

He began by outlining the company’s ambitions around a concept dubbed the Silk Hub.

In short, different strategies for the major world regions to prioritize will now be implemented from Bangkok’s hub.

Asia first as the structural base feeding the network, India and China to drive volumes, Europe and Australia as premium-value creators, and Bangkok as the conversion point from volume to value.

Concretely, and in line with this strategy, the airline will work on capacities, aircraft types, cabins, and service.

For France, starting December 1, the addition of a second daily flight*. In addition to the Boeing 777 departing from CDG in the early afternoon, a Boeing 787 will depart Paris for Bangkok in the evening. With two flights, connection options will be significantly improved.

On board, passengers will still have the choice between the „Royal Silk“ business class or the Economy class.


New cabins in 2027

Thai Airways, which ranks among the world’s top 20 airlines according to Skytrax, enjoys a strong reputation, but the time is also for upgrading its upscale offering, announced Rithavee Plikarnon.

After a net profit of $46 million in the second quarter, investments allow offering onboard an increasingly refined experience: menus by Chef Pam from the Potong restaurant as part of the Taste of Thai Tales, a selection of caviars, new beverages, Sirivannavari amenity kits and Jim Thompson comfort wear, not to mention the Junior Sky Explorers program for young travelers.

The cabin interiors will also evolve. The few views shown to the guests, though still at the concept stage, are quite promising.

The new cabin will adopt dark violet tones, ambient lighting, and self-service spaces for snacks and drinks.

Like many other major legacy carriers, Thai Airways should also offer a Premium Economy in the near future.

Also, in the cabin revamp, First Class will be replaced by a product called premium business positioned at the front of the Business class on the entire long-haul fleet. These changes are expected to begin entering service next year.

On the medium-haul, the number of new Airbus A321neo aircraft will continue to rise. About thirty aircraft of this type will be in operation by the end of this year.

*Daily flight schedules starting December 1, 2026:

CDG – BKK TG 931 12:30 – 05:40 (next day) BKK – CDG TG 950 00:05 – 06:50

CDG – BKK TG 933 21:20 – 14:40 (next day) BKK – CDG TG 932 12:15 – 19:00


Christophe Hardin Published by Christophe Hardin Journalist AirMaG – TourMaG.com
See all articles by Christophe Hardin

  • picto Twitter
  • picto Linkedin
  • picto email
Add TourMaG to your Google News feed Google Actualités icône

United Airlines Upgrades Its App to Manage Disruptions


United Airlines enrichit son application mobile avec une nouvelle fonctionnalité - Depositphotos.com, rss.vladimir@gmail.com

Hurtigruten


United Airlines now allows passengers whose flight has been disrupted and who have been rebooked on a later departure to join a waitlist for up to three earlier flights.

The aim is to offer greater flexibility to travelers facing a change to their schedule, without requiring them to relinquish their confirmed booking.

Practically, the traveler selects up to three earlier flights within the United app. The airline then automatically monitors the availability on these flights.

When a seat becomes available, the passenger receives an SMS informing them and can then choose to take the earlier flight. Until that decision is made, their initial booking remains confirmed.

“This feature illustrates our commitment to making travel smoother and less stressful for our passengers“, explains Jennifer Schwierzke, Vice President of Customer Operations, Strategy & Execution at United.


A rollout ahead of a very busy weekend

The new service comes as Labor Day weekend approaches, traditionally marked by strong air travel activity in the United States.

United expects more than 3.4 million passengers between September 3 and September 8, 2026, about 300,000 more travelers than last year.

The airline also notes that more than 85% of its passengers use its mobile app on travel day, making this tool a central channel to manage the various stages of the journey.

The new feature complements the self-service options already offered by United in case of disruption.

Passengers can notably be automatically rebooked on another flight, receive vouchers for meals or accommodation when eligible, and track their checked baggage from the app.


The app becomes a central tool in the passenger journey

United has also strengthened several features of its app in recent months.

American travelers can notably use Digital ID in Apple Wallet, based on information from their U.S. passport, to facilitate certain steps of the airport journey, notably enrollment in the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID service.

United has further integrated TSA wait-time estimates at its major U.S. hubs into its app. A feature designed to help travelers anticipate their security screening more effectively.

The company also offers new tools to ease connections. The app shows the route to the boarding gate, the estimated walking time, and flight information.

With ConnectionSaver, passengers can also be notified when a departure is likely to be delayed, enabling them to board despite a tight connection.

Finally, United has integrated Apple’s Share Item Location feature. Travelers equipped with an AirTag or other Locate-enabled accessory can share its location with the airline’s customer service to facilitate searches in case of delays or issues with baggage routing.


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

  • picto Linkedin
  • picto email
Add TourMaG to your Google News feed Google Actualités icône