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m.welsch1

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Sofitel expands its presence in Portugal

🏦 Accor and Propreal Capital Partners team up to launch the Sofitel Porto, slated for 2028. The partnership marks a strategic expansion in Europe, with the 132-room hotel being the first Sofitel in Porto and second in Portugal, joining the Sofitel Lisbon Avenida Liberdade. Located between Avenida dos Aliados and Rua de Santa Catarina, the hotel unites French elegance with Portuguese culture, designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán. It's part of Accor's growth strategy in the EMEA region, complementing recent openings in the UAE and Egypt.
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Do carnivals boost European hotel performance?

🎭 Venice Carnival sees an 18% RevPAR increase in February, driven by a 16.8% rise in average daily rate and a slight 0.5 point occupancy rate increase. The theme for the year was ‘In the time of Casanova,’ supported by an international campaign. Despite overtourism, Venice didn't impose the entry tax during the carnival. Santa Cruz de Tenerife's Carnival, the second largest globally, drew one million participants in 2024, but current year figures may not reach this record due to falling hotel occupancy rates.
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Winter holidays 2025: hotel performance far from peak

🏔 Visitor numbers at French mountains stable year-on-year; international clientele up slightly (+0.3%), with Scandinavians (+7.2%), Germans (+2.8%), Dutch (+4.2%), but fewer British (-0.3%) and Belgians (-3.9%). Occupancy rates fell in Midi-Pyrénées (-3.6 points), Rhône-Alpes (-1.5 points), and Languedoc-Roussillon (-2.5 points). Average daily rate increased in Languedoc-Roussillon (+7%) and Rhône-Alpes (+5.9%), but decreased in Midi-Pyrénées (-6%).
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Compagnie des Alpes acquires a new leisure park in Germany

🎭 Compagnie des Alpes acquired Belantis theme park from Parques Reunidos group, taking over Event Park GmbH's capital for €22 million. Belantis, founded in 2003, is located in the Leipzig region, eastern Germany, and features 27 attractions over nine themed zones. The park, attracting 300,000 visitors annually, generated €11 million in sales in 2024. Compagnie des Alpes, with this new acquisition, operates eight European sites and aims to increase Belantis' visitor numbers to 900,000 annually.
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MIPIM 2025, hospitality has the wind in its sails – Session 6: shifting sands

🏨 Hannah Yulo Luccini of Hotel 101 operates a standardized hospitality model with 500-room developments and units sold to individuals for €200,000, aimed at European expansion. Sami Mendil from B&B HOTELS with 900 hotels globally, focuses on asset-light investments, having secured 124 deals last year. Adagio plans to grow from 130 to over 200 hotels by 2025, with extended stay models showing over 50% GOP margins. EasyHotel targets doubling its portfolio in five years, focusing on ESG with room carbon emissions 66% lower than midscale hotels. Honotel has 50 hotels in France, prioritizing Paris with a focus on investment quality. Europe's hotel investment climate faces permitting delays, with a strong market in Paris yielding €2.7 billion in transactions in 2024. Despite geopolitical concerns, Europe is considered an attractive destination for hotel investment.
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Hotel distribution in the age of influencer marketing

📸 33% of French people are influenced by social networks for travel destinations, with the rate at 58% among those aged 25-34. A Phocuswright study shows 62% have booked a holiday influenced by social media. Influencers impact 28% of travellers’ hotel choices, with 37% often following their recommendations. Instagram and YouTube are top platforms at 68% and 67% influence, respectively. Pinterest is pivotal for 80% of users planning trips, with 68% deciding on purchases there.
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OYO UK reports strong results in 2024

💸 In 2024, OYO UK saw a revenue increase of 15% and outperformed the market which declined by 2.8%. The company's Average Daily Rate (ADR) and per room revenue (RevPAR) rose by 2% and 4% respectively, against the market's 4.5% fall. CEO Gautam Swaroop attributes success to AI-driven pricing and self-check-in tech. Over 200 hotels across 65 UK cities contribute to growth, with aggressive expansion plans to open 40 premium hotels. OYO's SUNDAY Lansbury Heritage was launched in Canary Wharf, expanding its premium segment presence.
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Mandarin Oriental expands its presence in Paris with Hôtel Lutetia

🏦 Mandarin Oriental now manages the iconic Hôtel Lutetia, rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, joining its existing property on Rue Saint-Honoré. As the sole Palace hotel on Paris' Left Bank, it boasts a rich history since 1910, housing notable figures such as Picasso and Matisse. Following a 2018 renovation by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the hotel merges tradition with modern luxury, featuring the Parisian Brasserie Lutetia, Akasha Wellness, and Bar Josephine. Owners, the Akirov family, share Mandarin Oriental's vision for luxury hospitality.
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