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Bahia Principe: Two New Sub-Brands Focused on Customer Experiences

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Bahia Principe propose deux nouvelles sous-marques : Bahia Principe Escape, pour les établissements réservés aux adultes, et Bahia Principe Explore, qui s’adresse aux familles et aux groupes - Photo : Bahia Principe

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The Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts group announces a revamp of its visual identity and brand architecture, with the introduction of two new sub-brands centered on guests’ expectations.

This evolution takes place as part of its integration into Hyatt’s portfolio, through the joint venture with the Piñero group.

As part of this transformation, Bahia Principe abandons its former categories (Grand, Luxury, Sunlight and Fantasia) in favor of two new sub-brands.

The first, Bahia Principe Escape, groups adult-only properties, with a promise focused on wellness, fine dining, and targeted entertainment experiences.

The second, Bahia Principe Explore, targets families and groups, with hotels designed to foster shared experiences. This category notably includes thematic properties, inherited from the former Fantasia line, which lean toward immersive and creative worlds.

Some properties thus change their names to fit this new logic.


A Modernized Visual Identity

Alongside this reorganization, the brand has revised its visual identity.

Its iconic sun symbol has been modernized to fit digital usage and an international audience, while preserving its historic DNA.

This evolution is accompanied by the launch of the new positioning “Fully & Freely”, which aims to encourage travelers to experience their holidays at their own pace, while immersing themselves in the culture of the destinations.

This revamp occurs within a strategic context marked by the rising prominence of the joint venture between Hyatt and the Piñero group. Bahia Principe thus becomes the ninth brand in Hyatt’s Inclusive portfolio, and the eleventh all-inclusive brand of the group.

More than 20 Bahia Principe resorts have also joined the World of Hyatt loyalty program, reinforcing the brand’s international visibility and access to a global clientele.

For Julio Pérez, CEO of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, this new architecture reflects an evolution in line with the current traveler expectations: a clearer, more accessible offering and better aligned with contemporary tourism practices.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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French Hotel Industry: Strong Start to 2026

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L’hôtellerie française confirme son bon début d’année en février 2026 - Depositphotos.com @david_franklin

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The French hotel sector confirms its solid momentum at the start of 2026. 

According to the latest barometer published by In Extenso Tourism, Culture & Hospitality, February continues January’s trend, with indicators on the rise at the national level, despite persistent regional disparities.

In February, the occupancy rate of hotels in France reaches 55%, up 1 point year over year. The average revenue per room (RMC) stands at €107 excluding tax (+1%), while the RevPAR increases by 2%, to €59 excluding tax. Over the first two months of the year, the average RevPAR reaches €58 excluding tax, also up by 2%.

“”February confirms the broadly positive momentum of the French hotel market at the start of 2026“,” says Olivier Petit, CEO at In Extenso Tourism, Culture & Hospitality.

A trend driven by both the rebound in demand and a dense event calendar, even though some uncertainties remain, notably related to the international geopolitical context.


Paris and Île-de-France Stand Out

In Paris and Île-de-France, hotel activity remains well oriented.

The capital records a RevPAR of €141 excluding tax in February, up 5% year on year. This performance is supported by rising prices, particularly in the mid-range segment, as well as by higher demand.

The dynamism largely rests on a rich calendar that blends business and leisure: trade shows such as Wine Paris & Vinexpo, sports events like the Six Nations Tournament, and calendar milestones such as Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year.

Over the first two months of the year, the cumulative RevPAR in Paris reaches €151 excluding tax (+6%), confirming the destination’s role as a driver, even if the rest of the Île-de-France region shows more mixed results.


Regions Still Display Mixed Performance

In the regions (excluding the Côte d’Azur), February appears more mixed. The occupancy rate stays around 50%, with an average price of €84 excluding tax, broadly stable year over year. Only the high-end segment stands out, with RevPAR up by 3%.

Weather conditions weighed on several destinations, notably the coastal areas, as well as cities such as Marseille or the Basque coast around Biarritz. On the coasts outside the Côte d’Azur, RevPAR falls by 8%, with declines especially pronounced on the southwest and Mediterranean fronts.

Some cities benefited from the calendar effect. Lille benefited from cultural and sports events, while Montpellier benefited from the return of the Open Occitanie. However, these occasional dynamics do not suffice to erase gaps between destinations or to overcome the challenges facing the ultra-budget segment.


Confirmed Rebound on the Côte d’Azur

On the Côte d’Azur, February marks a clear rebound in activity. The occupancy rate rises to 53% (+4 percentage points), the average price reaches €107 excluding tax (+5%), and RevPAR jumps by 9%, to €56 excluding tax.

This rebound is largely supported by the event calendar, notably in Cannes, with the return of MIDEM, the IPEM Wealth, the World AI Cannes Festival, and the International Games Festival. In Nice, the Carnival and the Monte Carlo Rally also helped boost attendance, particularly in the mid-range and upper segments.

The sole downside concerns the luxury and palace segment, where price increases appear to have tempered demand.

Finally, urban residences show relative stability in February. Occupancy reaches 64% (+2%), with an average revenue of €76 excluding tax (-1%) and a RevPAR of €49 excluding tax (+1%).

Île-de-France remains the main engine of this segment, with a 3% rise in RevPAR. In the regions, performance remains more uneven, with a decline in the very large urban areas, particularly in the mid-range.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Honotel Expands in Paris with the Acquisition of Pavillon Monceau

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Honotel annonce l’acquisition de l’hôtel Pavillon Monceau (4 étoiles) dans le 17e arrondissement de Paris - Depositphotos.com, Neirfys

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Le Groupe Honotel annonce l’acquisition des murs et du fonds de commerce de l’hôtel Pavillon Monceau, situé dans le 17e arrondissement de Paris.

Réalisé via les fonds Cap Hospitality IV et Cap Hospitality V, gérés par Hôtel Investissement Capital, cet investissement illustre la volonté du groupe de consolider son portefeuille d’actifs en France et en Europe.

“Le marché parisien continue d’attirer massivement les investisseurs, représentant près d’une transaction sur deux en France l’année dernière“, souligne Suzanne Todd, directrice de la société de gestion.

Elle rappelle également le poids de la destination : Paris demeure “une marque internationale incontournable” et une locomotive majeure du tourisme européen.


A four-star establishment in the heart of the 17th arrondissement

Classified as four stars since 2025, the Pavillon Monceau stands out for its location in a Haussmannian building and its mixed-use positioning, suited to both leisure and business guests.

The property comprises 42 rooms, in a sector deemed strategic by the investor.

With this operation, Honotel thus reinforces its footprint in the capital and continues its growth strategy, relying on assets with strong potential in key locations.

To carry out this transaction, the group surrounded itself with several advisers: Valther (legal), Mazars (tax and finance), SVZ (human resources), Monassier (notarial), Artelia (technical) and Exsolv’ho (management).

On the seller’s side, Rosenpick & Associates acted as adviser.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Accor: A Remarkably Solid Start to the Year Ahead of the Middle East Conflict’s Impact

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Accor : le RevPAR progresse de 5,1 % au 1er trimestre 2026 - Depositphotos.com Auteur T.Schneider

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The hotel group Accor reported a revenue of €1.313 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 2.3% at constant exchange rates, in an environment marked by geopolitical tensions, notably in the Middle East.

Revenue fell -2.7% on a published basis.

“The Group once again posts growth that is solid and sustained“, says its CEO Sébastien Bazin, who highlights “the very strong momentum at the start of the year” that helped largely offset the effects of the regional conflict.

The first two months of the year were “remarkably solid“, continuing the momentum from late 2025, before the Middle East conflict disrupted activity from late February. The United Arab Emirates were notably affected, while other areas, such as Europe or Southeast Asia, benefited from robust demand.


RevPAR (revenue per available room) grows 5.1% year over year

RevPAR (revenue per available room) rises 5.1% year over year, driven mainly by price increases. Growth is particularly pronounced in the Americas (+9.1%) and in Asia-Pacific, while Europe shows a more modest advance (+2.7%).

The Premium, Midscale and Economy division posted €663 million in revenue, up 4.6% at constant currency. By contrast, the Luxury & Lifestyle segment declined slightly (-0.7%), largely due to perimeter effects related to disposals, the press release indicates.

Within this segment, Management & Franchise activity remains dynamic, with a 15.2% rise, driven by the network expansion and RevPAR growth.

During the quarter, Accor opened 48 hotels, representing more than 6,700 rooms. Over twelve months, net network growth stood at 3.8%. By the end of March 2026, the group counted 5,815 hotels and nearly 880,000 rooms, with a pipeline of 260,000 additional rooms.


The group remains attentive to the evolution of geopolitical tensions, whose impacts are “currently uncertain.” Nevertheless, Accor maintains that its “growth algorithm remains intact” and expresses confidence in its ability to improve performance over the course of the year.

At the same time, the group continues its financial initiatives, with a €450 million share buyback program announced for 2026, of which an initial tranche of €225 million was launched at the beginning of April.

Accor Expands in West Africa with Nigeria

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Le projet comprend également la création d’une académie de formation hôtelière au Nigéria - DepositPhotos.com, flogeljiri

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Accor et Shoreline Group prévoient de développer une offre hôtelière couvrant plusieurs segments, du milieu de gamme au luxe, afin d’accompagner la croissance touristique et économique du Nigeria.

Le partenariat prévoit l’ouverture de 10 hôtels répartis dans huit villes nigérianes d’ici 2030.

Les établissements représenteront plus de 1 200 chambres et s’appuieront sur les différentes marques du portefeuille d’Accor.

Le projet comprend également la création d’une académie de formation hôtelière destinée à former les talents locaux.

Selon les deux groupes, cette structure pourrait contribuer à la création d’environ 1 000 emplois directs dans le pays.


Accor renforce sa stratégie de développement en Afrique de l’Ouest

Accor indique que cette opération s’inscrit dans sa stratégie de croissance sur le continent africain et plus particulièrement en Afrique de l’Ouest.

Sébastien Bazin, président-directeur général d’Accor, souligne que ce partenariat doit permettre de « créer une offre hôtelière inégalée » au Nigeria, tout en renforçant la présence du groupe sur le marché.

De son côté, Shoreline Group considère l’hôtellerie comme un prolongement de ses activités dans les infrastructures et l’énergie. Son PDG, Kola Karim, estime que le manque d’offre de chambres de qualité au Nigeria représente une opportunité de développement importante pour le secteur hôtelier local.

French Riviera: Soniho Hotel Group Bets on a Hybrid Model

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Le groupe hôtelier familial Soniho poursuit sa transformation - Crédit photo : Soniho et Kevin Leinster

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Sur le littoral des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var, le groupe hôtelier Soniho, dirigé par la troisième génération de la famille Nicoletti, affirme un repositionnement engagé autour d’une hôtellerie plus ouverte et fonctionnelle.

Loin d’un modèle centré uniquement sur l’hébergement, l’entreprise défend désormais des établissements conçus comme des espaces polyvalents, adaptés aussi bien aux clientèles loisirs qu’affaires.

Cette stratégie s’appuie sur un portefeuille de cinq hôtels 3 étoiles situés à Nice, Cannes et Fréjus, représentant près de 400 chambres.

Depuis 2024, le groupe a progressivement abandonné les enseignes sous franchise pour développer sa propre marque indépendante, Soniho, et rénover ses établissements sous cette nouvelle identité.

Le groupe s’est entouré de plusieurs acteurs locaux pour accompagner ce repositionnement, notamment des cabinets d’architecture et une agence de conseil en stratégie et communication, afin de repenser les usages et l’identité de chaque site.


Hotels designed as living spaces

Au cœur de la stratégie de Soniho, les établissements sont conçus comme des espaces hybrides réunissant hébergement, restauration et coworking. Une approche qui vise à faire des hôtels des lieux de rencontre et de partage, au-delà de la seule fonction touristique.

À Nice, l’Hôtel du Pin, situé dans le quartier du Port, illustre ce positionnement. L’établissement de 91 chambres accueille un espace de coworking et de séminaires Scool, ainsi qu’un bar-restaurant ouvert à la clientèle extérieure, participant à l’animation du site du matin au soir.

Toujours à Nice, l’Hôtel Isidore, implanté à l’ouest de la ville, développe une offre similaire avec 79 chambres et l’ouverture prévue d’un espace Scool dédié aux réunions et au travail partagé. L’établissement mise également sur une offre de restauration à forte identité culinaire.

À Cannes, l’Hôtel Abrial propose 48 chambres et un espace bar complété par une terrasse, tandis que l’Hôtel des Victoires, entièrement rénové en 2024, combine 99 chambres, restauration, bar et espaces de séminaires et coworking.

Enfin, à Fréjus, l’Hôtel Cyano vient compléter le portefeuille avec 68 chambres, un restaurant, un bar et une salle de réunion, incarnant également cette logique de lieux polyvalents adaptés à différents usages.


A hotel industry adapted to new uses

Avec cette structuration, Soniho entend répondre à l’évolution des pratiques de voyage et de travail, où les frontières entre séjour, activité professionnelle et moments de convivialité tendent à s’estomper.

Le groupe, qui revendique un chiffre d’affaires global de 11 millions d’euros, affiche également plusieurs projets à moyen terme, dont la poursuite des rénovations et le développement de nouveaux espaces de coworking au sein de ses établissements.


Amelia Brille Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com
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Logis Hotels Up 22% in May, Bets on a Dynamic Summer

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Logis Hotels profite de l'engouement pour les séjours de proximité - Photo : Logis Hotels

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The month of May 2026 proved exceptionally favorable for Logis Hotels. Driven by spring holidays and the growth of its premium brands, the company posted a 22% rise in turnover compared with the same period last year.

“The long weekends had a positive effect, even if bookings tend to level off more than before“, explains Karine Morot-Gaudry, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the group. The leader also highlights the impact of expanding premium offerings on this growth.

In terms of destinations, several regions demonstrated notable performances. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region topped the chart with a 41% increase in turnover, followed by the Grand Est (+33%) and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (+30%).

This momentum is partly explained by travelers’ patterns during the long weekends. “Many guests favor getaways two to three hours from their home“, notes Karine Morot-Gaudry.

Foreign clientele also contributed to these solid results. Reservations from Germany rose by 33%, while those from Belgium climbed by 26%. A proximity-focused clientele that particularly benefits the eastern regions of France.


European Clientele on the Scene

If the business clientele paused during the early weeks of May due to numerous public holidays, the trend clearly reversed after the Pentecost weekend.

“The backlog on the business segment has almost been caught up in the last week of May“, specifies Karine Morot-Gaudry. The arrangement of the last long weekend, with a public holiday Monday, notably favored the return of business travel.

The French market remains the main driver of summer growth with an 11% increase in bookings. European markets also show strong performance: the Netherlands up 25%, Germany 15%, Belgium 13% and the United Kingdom 12%.

According to the executive, these figures reflect both the attractiveness of southern France and the loyalty of traditional European markets.


Encouraging Summer Outlook

For the summer of 2026, Logis Hotels also expresses confidence. To date, bookings show a 16% rise compared with trends observed at the same point last year.

The South of France is at the heart of much of this momentum. Nouvelle-Aquitaine records a 29% increase in bookings, ahead of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (+24%). The Channel coast also rides this wave with a 22% rise.

Meanwhile, transit regions such as the Grand Est (+29%) and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (+28%) benefit from the expected influx of European clientele heading toward the southern destinations.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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SNCF: FNAUT Denounces Ouigo Price Hikes and Decline of the Inoui Service

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SNCF : La FNAUT dénonce l'envolée des prix Ouigo et le recul de l'offre Inoui - Depositphotos.com Auteur FotoPrivet

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While SNCF has recently confirmed a modest increase in TGV INOUI and OUIGO fares for 2026, the National Federation of User Associations for Transport (FNAUT) has published a comparative study on how TGV prices and offerings have evolved from 2017 to 2024.

It had already unveiled, at the end of 2025, an initial report covering figures from 2017 to 2023. It now updates the data with 2024 figures.

According to FNAUT data based on the open data from the Transport Regulation Authority:

  • Between 2017 and 2024, OUIGO’s seat-kilometre offering surged by +185%, while TGV INOUI’s declined by around -13%.

  • This trend translates into a traffic split where OUIGO trains now account for a substantial share, at the expense of the traditional INOUI offering, criticized for its gradual decline.

“More OUIGO, less INOUI: the French TGV is changing its face… but not necessarily to the benefit of regular travelers.” states FNAUT.



Marked rise in OUIGO prices vs relatively stable INOUI

The FNAUT argues that this evolution reduces travel options for holders of discount cards (such as Avantage or Liberté), who often find fewer seats available on reserved quotas for TGV INOUI, the more traditional option.

The federation also analyzes price developments.

  • The average price of an OUIGO ticket rose by 75% between 2017 and 2024, and the price per kilometer climbed by 71% over the same period.

  • By contrast, INOUI TGV tickets saw their average price rise by only 8%, with a price-per-kilometer increase limited to 11%, well below overall inflation.


response from Alain Krakovitch: context, evolution and customers

On LinkedIn, Alain Krakovitch, director of TGV-Intercités and head of the TGV INOUI and OUIGO brands, replied to these criticisms by emphasizing several contextual elements:

According to him, a large portion of OUIGO price increases can be explained by changes in the offering: at launch, the brand served only secondary stations and short-haul routes. Today, it operates from major Paris stations and on much longer connections (up to Hendaye, Brest, Perpignan…), which, he says, accounts for about 80% of the observed price rise.

He suggests that the remaining rise reflects higher operating costs, but notes that, overall, the prices of TGVs (INOUI + OUIGO) have risen more slowly than inflation in recent years.

For Krakovitch, the two brands are not competitors but complementary: OUIGO generally remains about 30% cheaper than TGV INOUI on average and helps attract travelers who would not have taken the train otherwise. He also notes that more than 180 million customers have used OUIGO since its inception, with more than half of tickets sold for less than €30.


Trenitalia France Opens Sales for Summer 2026

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Trenitalia France ouvre les ventes pour la saison estivale - Depositphotos.com @teamtime

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Starting tomorrow March 4, 2026 at 8:00 a.m., Trenitalia France opens sales for the 2026 summer season on its three corridors: Paris–Lyon, Paris–Marseille and Paris–Milan.

Tickets will be available for the next six months, allowing travelers to anticipate their summer journeys to 11 destinations in France and Italy.

As with every opening, the earliest buyers benefit from the most attractive fares. Introductory prices start at €23 on Paris–Lyon, €27 on Paris–Marseille and €35 on Paris–Milan.

Tickets that can be exchanged, offering greater flexibility in case of unforeseen events, a strong selling point as the peak season approaches.

“The opening of sales is a key moment for travelers as well as for railway operators. It allows anticipating major summer travel and gives everyone the opportunity to book early to benefit from the best fares and choose their schedules,”, notes Marco Caposciutti, president of Trenitalia France.


Regarding the three lines

On the Paris–Lyon axis, the operator highlights a dense offering with 14 return journeys on weekdays. This frequency accommodates both business travel and last-minute getaways.

After a first summer deemed a success, with more than 200,000 travelers carried between June and August 2025, the Paris–Marseille line kicks off its second summer season. Four return trips daily are scheduled, with stops at Lyon Saint-Exupéry, Avignon TGV and Aix-en-Provence TGV.

The Paris–Milan international connection offers two return journeys daily. It directly links the French capital to the Lombard capital while crossing the Alps.

The operator notes, however, that infrastructure works scheduled on the transalpine line will cause several service interruptions during the summer. Travelers are invited to regularly check updated traffic information.

Tickets will be marketed via the Trenitalia France website and app, as well as at physical ticket offices and on in-station kiosks. The company accepts notably Chèques-Vacances Connect at the ticket counter and by phone, a measure aimed at supporting purchasing power.

Another promotional mechanism highlighted: the referral offer, which allows both the referrer and the referee to benefit from a 10% discount.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Writer
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SNCF Set to Enter Italy’s High-Speed Rail Market

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L'AGCM vient de s'exprimer en faveur de la libre concurrence sur le marché italien de la grande vitesse - Depositphotos.com, @Hans_Chr

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The Italian Competition Authority and Market Authority (AGCM) has issued a ruling favorable to opening up the high-speed market to competition in Italy.

A step welcomed by SNCF Voyages Italia, a subsidiary of SNCF Voyageurs.

The Authority validated the commitments made by the infrastructure manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana to ensure fair access terms for new operators.

For SNCF Voyages Italia, this decision constitutes an important first step. But it must now be followed by concrete measures, including the immediate allocation of a portion of the requested rail slots.

Without this access to capacity to run trains, the launch of the project will not be possible.


Un projet d’investissement prévu pour 2027

The company plans to launch its new high-speed offering in September 2027.

The project relies on the introduction of 15 next-generation trains, with the goal of carrying more than 10 million passengers per year in Italy.

The offering aims to provide more capacity, “optimal comfort, competitive fares and an environmentally friendly travel experience,” says SNCF Voyages Italia in a press release.

The industrial plan foresees 13 daily round-trips : 9 between Turin and Naples, and 4 between Turin and Venice.

For the company, this level of activity is essential to make the investments viable. Without these minimum conditions, the project could not be fully implemented.


Un projet aux retombées économiques significatives, mais encore conditionné

According to a study conducted with Università Bocconi and its GREEN research center, the project could generate more than €480 million in economic spillovers per year.

These benefits would include a contribution to growth, new tax revenues, the creation of more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, time savings for travelers, and an average easing of prices due to intensified competition.

Despite the decision of the Competition Authority, SNCF Voyages Italia nevertheless believes that several conditions remain essential to bring its market entry to fruition.

The company is asking in particular for sufficient access to additional rail slots, the possibility to operate maintenance facilities in Italy, and obtaining the necessary certifications for its trains. Without these guarantees, the launch of the new offering could not be realized within the planned timelines.

SNCF Voyages Italia urges all sector stakeholders to collaborate to enable a successful entry into the Italian market, in compliance with European regulations.


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