Pullman Ninh Binh Appoints David Stanley de Brito as General Manager


David Stanley De Brito est un professionnel de l'hôtellerie très respecté avec plus de 30 ans d'expérience

IFTM


The Pullman Ninh Binh (Vietnam) has officially announced the appointment of David Stanley de Brito to the position of general manager. In this capacity, he assumes the strategic and operational leadership of the property.

He will be responsible for and focused on positioning the hotel as the premier address in northern Vietnam for business and leisure clients.

He will also build and train a high-performing team, and roll out the modern and dynamic vision of the Pullman brand.


Who is David Stanley de Brito?

A long-standing loyal member of the Accor group, to which the Pullman brand belongs, David Stanley de Brito brings more than 30 years of experience in international hospitality, gained across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

A renowned specialist in opening properties (more than 15 launches to his credit), he has built a solid expertise in positioning hotels within emerging destinations. Before taking on his new role, he served as Area General Manager for Japan at Accor, notably overseeing Grand Mercure Ise Shima, after having led the Pullman Vung Tau in Vietnam.

In terms of education, he holds a Master’s degree in International Business from Singapore Business School and professional certifications issued by Cornell University.

Read: Accor: Pullman Ninh Binh opens its doors in an alternative region to Ha Long Bay

Camille Obeida (Yacaranda): From Now On, Luxury Must Also Do Good


Camille Obeida, fondatrice de de l'agence Yacaranda © Yacaranda

IFTM


Founder of the online travel agency Yacaranda, Camille Obeida, a young woman in her thirties, laments that responsible tourism still often seems hard to reconcile with the world of luxury or premium travel.

i[“High-end travellers are increasingly seeking experiences that combine excellence, meaning, authenticity, intimacy, environmental and social responsibility]b, she asserts. b[But, they sometimes find it difficult to locate them”]i.

“In the tourism sector, these evolving expectations and changes in practices are taking on greater importance”, insists Camille Obeida. These concerns resonate with World Tourism Day on June 2.

Her outlook has not prevented Camille from thinking business. From the very start of her finance studies at Paris-Dauphine University, she wanted to work in the travel world. And she dreamed of starting her own company.

Her stay in South Korea, then later, in a beautiful hotel in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, and a stint at Accor, only strengthened her resolve.


Precise Selection Criteria


Le Marbella Beach Club, un hôtel très engagé sur les critères chers à Yacaranda © Marbella Beach Club/ Yacaranda

Yacaranda, its young online travel agency, has thus specialized in sustainable luxury travel.

To meet new expectations, b[it selects hotels and experiences “that combine a high level of service, authentic immersion, care for the environment and for local cultures”.

Camille Obeida checks whether accommodations have obtained a label -Travel Life, Green Key, Green Globe, etc.- that is accepted, or whether they respond to “her own analytic criteria that highlight initiatives that are sometimes less visible but just as relevant”.

Thus, she, for instance, was won over by the Marbella Beach Club, a Spanish hotel committed to “the four points of responsibility” dear to Yacaranda: purchasing policy; community integration; management of water/energy/waste; architecture and rehabilitation of the building.

Moreover, this hotel supports the ANIDE association that helps refugee and underprivileged children and the ADINTRE association that assists people in precarious situations.

By the end of this year, Yacaranda’s site is expected to offer 200 carefully selected accommodations and itineraries. If hotels are selected directly by Camille, the proposed circuits are developed with DMCs that specialize in the chosen destinations.


Target: Thirty-somethings with little time


Le Japon continue à bien se vendre © Lorenzo Castellino/ Yacaranda

Was there really a need to create yet another bespoke agency? “What sets us apart, she says, is that Yacaranda doesn’t merely sell tailor-made trips and dossiers developed during conversations with clients.”

On Yacaranda’s site, Camille emphasizes, clients can also instantly reserve online trips and engaged accommodations, with the guarantee that they match their search criteria.

The prices shown include transfers from and to the airport and insurance. Yacaranda earns a commission.



Target audience
for this second offering? Thirty-somethings who are digital natives, highly engaged in professional life, but pressed for time.

Although Yacaranda’s success remains modest, Camille Obeida is hopeful to meet the goal of €1 million in turnover, set for 2030 in her business plan.

As of early June, tourism is not spared from the consequences of the War in the Middle East, yet she remains optimistic. If the Middle East is avoided and Asia is less in demand by her clients, Japan, on the other hand, continues to sell well, she notes.

Direct Air France flights between Paris and Tokyo or Osaka are judged to be more reassuring than flights with layovers, especially via the Middle East.

Moreover, Italy is thriving again, as is Greece (the surge in hotel rates that had affected this destination last year seems to be easing) and Morocco.

In the end, Yacaranda’s turnover is higher than it was at the same date last year. Camille Obeida views this as a confirmation of her intuition: travel that is “engaged” has a future ahead of it.


PAULA BOYER Published by Paula Boyer LuxuryTravelMaG Editor – TourMaG.com
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Barrière Appoints Isabelle Bouvier as Director of Operations for Heritage and Premium Collections


Le Groupe Barrière annonce la nomination d’Isabelle Bouvier - Photo : Groupe Barrière

IFTM


The Groupe Barrière has officially announced the appointment of Isabelle Bouvier to the position of Director of Operations for the hotels in the Heritage collection, effective June 1, 2026.

A major milestone for this luxury hospitality professional, who brings more than three decades of experience across prestigious properties.

Over the course of her career, Isabelle Bouvier has held leadership roles at iconic houses such as the Lutetia in Paris and the Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury in Mauritius.

These experiences have enabled her to develop a recognized expertise in hotel management, operational performance, and guest experience, at the heart of international luxury standards.


Three decades in high-end hospitality

Since 2024, she has been at the helm of the Barrière Resort La Baule and the Barrière L’Hermitage Hotel.

There, she has guided the transformation of the destination’s offering, reconciling service modernization, operational excellence, and preservation of the properties’ identity. She has also contributed to strengthening synergies among the resort’s various structures.

In her new role, Isabelle Bouvier will directly oversee the Heritage collection, which groups properties in Deauville, La Baule, Le Touquet, Dinard and Marrakech.

She will also take charge of the Premium collection, comprising the hotels in Lille, Ribeauvillé and Enghien-les-Bains.

In parallel, she will be responsible for steering the group’s wellness strategy, a development axis that has become central in high-end hospitality.


Amelia Brille Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com
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Six Hotels Join the Exclusive Circle of Palace Hotels


Six hôtels rejoignent le cercle très fermé des Palaces ! - Photo AB

IFTM


The exclusive circle of French Palaces is expanding. On the occasion of the official unveiling of the collection “Palaces of France 2026,” the Minister of Tourism, Serge Papin, unveiled the six establishments joining this designation, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious distinctions.

The newly honored are:

– the Bvlgari Hotel Paris,

– Cheval Blanc Paris,

– Fouquet’s Paris,

– the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champillon near Epernay,

– the Four Seasons Resort Megève,

– the Hôtel Martinez Cannes.

With these new allocations, France now counts 33 Palaces, distributed among Paris, the Alps, the Côte d’Azur, the vineyards and overseas territories.

This new cohort is also accompanied by several departures. Since the previous list published in 2019, four establishments have lost the Palace distinction: Mandarin Oriental Paris, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, and Byblos in Saint-Tropez.


27 establishments retain their Palace distinction

Paris (10)

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

The Peninsula Paris

Shangri-La Paris

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris

Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

Mandarin Oriental Lutetia Paris

La Réserve Paris Hôtel & Spa

Le Bristol Paris

Le Meurice



Régions et Outre-mer (17)


Les Sources de Caudalie

Les Prés d’Eugénie

Airelles Gordes, La Bastide

Villa La Coste

Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière

Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez

Fouquet’s Courchevel

Cheval Blanc Courchevel

Hôtel Royal (Évian)

L’Apogée Courchevel

Airelles Courchevel, Les Airelles

Le K2 Palace Courchevel

Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel

Château Saint-Martin & Spa

La Réserve Ramatuelle Hôtel Spa & Villas

Cheval Blanc Saint-Barth Isle de France


A distinction awarded after a demanding process

Reserved for establishments already rated five stars, the Palace distinction is awarded following a rigorous process led by Atout France.

The candidate hotels are assessed based on the quality of their infrastructures, the excellence of service, the personalization of the guest experience, their international reach, or their ability to embody the French art of living.

After dossier review, on-site visits, and an audition before the Palace Commission, the Commission issues a recommendation to the minister responsible for Tourism, who then decides on the award of the distinction.

Since 2024, the label is granted for three renewable years, thereby strengthening the requirements to sustain excellence.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Benoît Coquart Named CEO of Le Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez


Le groupe Maisons Pariente confie la direction générale du Lou Pinet à Benoît Coquart - Photo : Maisons Pariente

IFTM


The Maisons Pariente group announces the appointment of Benoît Coquart to the position of General Manager of its Saint-Tropez property Lou Pinet.

He will assume his duties in a context of strengthening the house’s identity.

A luxury hospitality professional for over a decade, Benoît Coquart has built a rich career at iconic properties in France and around the world.

A graduate in strategic management and in hospitality and tourism management from Montpellier, he began his career between Corsica and Provence before pursuing opportunities abroad.

He notably progressed in New Zealand at the Rydges Hotel & Resort, then in Saint-Barthélemy at Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth. These formative experiences enable him to develop an exacting yet human approach to hospitality, centered on attention to detail and service quality.


A Career Across France and the International Stage

Back in France, he joined the Costes group at the Hôtel Plage Palace, where he rose to the position of Director of Rooms.

There he oversaw all operations related to front desk and guest experience in a highly competitive environment. He then continued his career at Domaine Saint Pierre de Serjac as Deputy Director, responsible for the estate’s operational and events organization.

For François Tixier-Lacaze, CEO of Maisons Pariente, this appointment fits into an expanding strategy: “I am very happy to entrust the leadership of Lou Pinet to Benoît. He will bring a clear ambition, renewed energy, and a standard of excellence commensurate with this iconic family house in our collection. His leadership, combined with strong human qualities, will be a major asset in uniting the Saint-Tropez teams.

The executive also underlines Benoît Coquart’s ability to support the property’s ramp-up for the summer season 2026 and to anchor this momentum over the long term.

On his side, Benoît Coquart expresses his commitment to this new professional chapter: “I am extremely proud to join Maisons Pariente. Lou Pinet reflects a sincere and living vision of hospitality, where wellbeing and attention to every detail hold a central place.”


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Rwanda: The Lux Collective to Open 5 Luxury Hotels


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

IFTM


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.

Cristiano Ronaldo Co-Exports His Luxury Restaurant Brand TATEL to Malta


Tarel annonce l'ouverture estivale d'un site emblématique dans la Baie de ST. George, Malte, Despositphotos.com

IFTM


After Madrid, Ibiza, Dubai and Riyadh, Tatel has just established its concept blending Hispano-Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a music program at the heart of the Maltese archipelago.

Conceived by Grace Design Studio, this new space accommodates 182 covers. The interior design draws on the 1920s Art Deco style while integrating contemporary elements through bespoke wood and textile arrangements. The venue revolves around a main dining room, a lounge equipped with a DJ booth, a private area, and an outdoor terrace set along the sea to blend with the surrounding coastline.

At the heart of this installation, management pursues a strategy to diversify the region’s dining offering. The culinary programme highlights reinvented traditional Spanish recipes under the supervision of the globally renowned executive chef Juan Antonio Medina, who has notably worked in the kitchens of elBulli.

The menu features the brand’s signature dishes, such as their rice with beef ribs or their cheesecake recipe, complemented by a selection of beverages and Spanish and international wines.


An opening rooted in the development of the local tourism offering

This installation forms part of the broader transformation of St. George’s Bay, a northeast coastal district of Malta undergoing economic redevelopment. The establishment will be one of the pillars of Lifestyle Group’s development project, which plans to introduce seven distinct concepts along this coastline for the season.

Manuel Campos Guallar, cofounder of TATEL, justifies this geographic choice: « St. George’s Bay is becoming one of the Mediterranean’s most exciting lifestyle destinations, and we are proud to bring the TATEL experience here alongside Lifestyle Group and the DeBono family at their Hard Rock Hotel. From gastronomy to music to atmosphere and service, we want every guest to feel something special. »

For Robert DeBono, CEO of Lifestyle Group, this arrival validates the upscale shift of the sector: « The arrival of TATEL adds another dimension to Malta’s evolving culinary and entertainment scene. We are proud to bring this spirit to St George’s Bay as part of the island’s ongoing hotel offering evolution. »

Read also: Cristiano Ronaldo, the new face of Saudi Arabia

65% Cut in Air Passenger Tax: Here Are the 26 Affected Lines


Baisse de 65 % de la taxe sur les billets d'avion : voici les lignes 26 lignes concernées ! - depositphotos.com Auteur ilixe48

IFTM


The government is implementing, from June 1, 2026, a reduction in the passenger air transport tax (TSBA) for certain air routes deemed essential to territorial development.

Announced by Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport, this measure targets routes operated under a public service obligation (PSO) and under a public service delegation (DSP).

The scheme reduces by 65 % the amount of tax applied to each ticket, dropping it from 7.40 euros to 2.63 euros.

Planned by the initial 2025 finance law, this reduction was conditioned on the prior agreement of the European Commission. French authorities had begun talks with Brussels since the law’s enactment. Following these exchanges, the Commission confirmed the measure’s compatibility with EU law, thus paving the way for its entry into force.


The government is working to extend the scheme to overseas territories.

The measure covers, notably, several metropolitan routes serving towns such as Aurillac, Brive, Le Puy-en-Velay or Rodez. It also includes connections between Corsica and the mainland, notably to Paris-Orly, Marseille and Nice, as well as the links connecting Strasbourg to various European metropolises and the Brest–Ouessant line. In total, 26 air routes are affected.

The decree implementing this reduction was published on May 31, 2026.

By making these routes more financially accessible, this measure reflects the Government’s will to support the connectivity of the least-served territories and to ease the cost of air travel to and from these destinations,” stated Philippe Tabarot.

The minister also indicated that the government would continue its work to extend a similar scheme to overseas territories.

The European Commission, however, regarded the mechanism provided for in the finance law for Overseas routes as not legally retainable in its current form. “We therefore actively pursue the work started to find a solid and appropriate legal solution for our Overseas Territories,” he added.


Here are the 26 routes affected by the air ticket tax reduction:

– Aurillac – Paris ;

– Brive – Paris ;

– Le Puy – Paris ;

– Castres – Paris ;

– Rodez – Paris ;

– Limoges – Paris ;

– Tarbes – Paris ;

– Brest – Ouessant ;

– Limoges – Lyon ;

– La Rochelle – Lyon ;

– Poitiers – Lyon ;

– Strasbourg – Madrid ;

– Strasbourg – Munich ;

– Strasbourg – Copenhagen ;

– Ajaccio – Paris (Orly) ;

– Bastia – Paris (Orly) ;

– Calvi – Paris (Orly) ;

– Figari – Paris (Orly) ;

– Bastia – Marseille ;

– Bastia – Nice ;

– Calvi – Marseille ;

– Calvi – Nice ;

– Ajaccio – Marseille ;

– Ajaccio – Nice ;

– Figari – Marseille ;

– Figari – Nice.


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


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

© Canva - Resaneo

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

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Corsair to Launch Two New Routes From Mainland France to Guadeloupe


Corsair va desservir la Guadeloupe depuis Marseille - Crédit photo : RP

CroisiEurope


By the end of September 2026, Corsair will no longer face any Europe-imposed constraints as part of its restructuring plan.

Until that date, the fleet must still be strictly limited to nine aircraft and slots must be handed back.

To read : Slots, aircraft… Brussels’ constraints do not dampen Corsair’s appetite!

The company led by Pascal de Izaguirre has, however, decided not to wait for this deadline to resume its development. It announces the opening of two new routes to Guadeloupe from mainland France.

Thus, Corsair will launch Marseille – Pointe-à-Pitre starting 15 December 2026, followed by Toulouse – Pointe-à-Pitre from 16 December 2026.

The routes will operate during the winter, on board Airbus A330neo.


The schedules of Corsair’s new flights

Corsair is already present at these airports in southern France, but this announcement allows it to continue pursuing its ambition: to offer more direct long-haul connections from major regional hubs.

The Toulouse – Pointe-à-Pitre route will depart every Wednesday at 12:00, arriving in Guadeloupe at 15:50. The return flight will also take place on Wednesdays, with a Pointe-à-Pitre departure at 17:50 and an arrival in Toulouse at 06:50 the following day.

The Marseille service will be operated every Tuesday until December 29, then every Thursday thereafter. The departure is scheduled at 11:30, with an arrival on the other side of the Atlantic at 16:00.


Returns are planned on Tuesdays until December 29, then on Thursdays, with an 18:00 takeoff from Pointe-à-Pitre and a 07:30 arrival in Provence the next day.


For several years, Corsair has made a structural choice to directly connect the French regions with the overseas territories, with the aim of offering itineraries that are simpler, smoother, and better suited to customer expectations.

Today, no other airline offers as structured a network between the mainland and the overseas territories.

These new links between Marseille, Toulouse and Pointe-à-Pitre illustrate our will to strengthen connections between the territories and to facilitate the travel of all those who live, work or travel between the Hexagon and the Overseas territories,
” explained Pascal de Izaguirre, Chief Executive Officer of Corsair