Business travel

AccorHotels has entered into a strategic partnership with the Turkish luxury hotel operator Rixos.

The sound of protectionism currently sweeping the globe is also likely to make itself felt in the air transport sector. The first to be targeted are the Gulf carriers, both in Europe and in the United States, where the election of Donald Trump could well change the situation...

A new airline is entering the age of Chatbots. Vueling has just launched Eva, a virtual travel assistant on its smartphone.

In Berlin, Qatar Airways unveiled its brand new QSuite: a private space modelled on a suite for 4 people, installed not in First but in Business Class. The new concept will be launched in June 2017.

On Tuesday, SNCF confirmed the end of IDTGV: a gradual disappearance for the Group's subsidiary, which will run from 2 July to 10 December.

CWT France has just announced a partnership with G7, enabling the business travel agency to integrate a taxi booking platform dedicated to its business travellers: G7 Booking.

The Air Caraïbes A350 was unveiled on 1 March. The Dubreuil Group airline has become the first French carrier to be equipped with this type of Airbus, which is more modern and more fuel-efficient.

2016 was a good year for Best Western, with very significant growth in sales from its central reservations unit, even in France despite a difficult environment. At the same time, the brand continued to move upmarket and develop new technological services.

Air Caraïbes presented its new aircraft on 1 March: the first A350 in the colours of a French airline. Marc Rochet, Chairman of the Air Caraïbes Management Board, explains the importance of the event, and sets out his ambitions for Air Caraïbes and its sister airline French Blue, the long-haul low-cost carrier. Interview by Florian Guillemin

On 28 February, François Hollande inaugurated the Tours-Bordeaux high-speed line. However, business travellers will have to wait until 2 July before they can reach Bordeaux from Paris in 2h05.

Air France is inaugurating its new lounge in Terminal 2G on 1 March. The airline has thought big by increasing the space dedicated to business travellers fivefold.

Norwegian, Wow Air, French Blue: long-haul low-cost offers are flourishing on the transatlantic network. Liligo has examined the phenomenon in a study which, according to the travel search engine, calls into question the pricing policies of low-cost carriers, which are being counter-attacked by traditional airlines.

Last January, B&B Hôtels launched a plan to renovate 160 hotels in order to give a very contemporary feel to its budget and design hotel concept.

Pentahotels opened a hotel at Paris CDG in June 2016. This subsidiary of the Asian luxury group Rosewood - the same group that took over the Crillon - presents a lifestyle concept that contrasts with "classic" airport hotels.

Penalised by the very difficult year experienced by Parisian establishments, the French hotel industry recorded a fall of -4.01TP3Q in its revenue per room according to Deloitte In Extenso.

The launch by Air France of a discount airline has been approved by the pilots.

Iberia and Vueling are joining forces to strengthen the air link between Madrid and Barcelona, with greater flexibility for business travellers.

KLM, the Dutch carrier, and Air Mauritius are partnering to offer year-round services between Amsterdam and Mauritius.

The Novotel Paris Les Halles has unveiled a new seminar concept, Atelier H, with seven modular studios decorated in vintage style and a "home from home" feel.

Onefinestay, the specialist in the rental of top-of-the-range private residences, is adding new tourist destinations to its offering. This expansion reflects the desire of its owner, AccorHotels, to strengthen its position in a buoyant segment.