decision-maker

After relatively little activity in Asia, SkyTeam is now integrating two carriers in one fell swoop. How do you explain this strategic change? Pierre-Henri Gourgeon - SkyTeam has not changed its strategy. It consists of recruiting quality carriers whose networks complement its own, in all regions of the world. Korean Air is one of...

Last spring, you opened the Relais Spa Val d'Europe. What does this establishment offer? It's a new luxury concept aimed at customers who want all the services they would find in a four-star hotel, but with the freedom of a hotel residence. It offers...

Has Aigle Azur weathered the crisis well? It may seem paradoxical, but small airlines with a niche positioning and a strong customer base that I would describe as 'affinity' have weathered the crisis rather well. At Aigle Azur, we experienced few fluctuations last year, particularly on France-Algeria, our main destination. We have...

How would you define Vueling since its merger with Clickair? Vueling's strength lies in its difference, which makes it a new-generation airline. We combine the advantages of the low-cost concept, such as cost reduction and dynamic fleet management, while retaining the best of the traditional carriers: distribution, punctuality, etc.

What impact will the BA-AA agreement and the Joint Business Agreement have on the French market? The approval of the American and European authorities for a joint subsidiary managing flights between North America and Europe will intensify our global cooperation and result in a more efficient product. This will enable us to better integrate our schedules...

For our business trips, we look for the best value for money," says Thierry Fabre, head of the family firm Sénidéco. After all, you don't have to be a heavyweight to travel all year round. CEO of Sénidéco, an SME based near Marseille, Thierry Fabre travels one week out of the...

Why did a French chain start developing in Vietnam? Éric Simard - Vietnam 'opened its doors' to foreign investors in the early 90s. It goes without saying that the historical link between Vietnam and France and Indochina in general played a major role in this decision....

What were the highlights for Star Alliance in 2009? Per Nilson - The arrival of Brussels Airlines and Continental Airlines. Star Alliance now has 27 members, with the Brazilian carrier Tam joining on 13 May. Other carriers are expected to join, such as Aegean Airlines and Air India. We are not setting ourselves any limits in terms of...

How would you assess the reform of Ubifrance? Since 1 January 2009, Ubifrance has had its own economic missions to help companies expand internationally. The results have exceeded our expectations: in 18 months, we've gone from 9,000 to 20,000 SMEs supported on foreign markets, with the help of our...

What are your objectives for 2010? With a fleet of nine Boeing B737s this summer and seven next winter, Transavia will serve 26 and 17 destinations respectively from Paris-Orly. We intend to consolidate our presence from Lyon and Nantes. Our results were on a strong upward trend until the Icelandic ash cloud, which blocked...

What will be the biggest change for SNCF in 20 years' time? Michel Lebeuf - Things have already partly happened. The infrastructure is in place and the 35 trains ordered will be delivered from 2015 or 2016. The current Imagine TGV survey will help us to design the future facilities and services on offer...

What is the ambition of your Cityzenbooking.com website, created in June 2009? For the first time, Cityzenbooking brings together hotel apartments in around a hundred urban areas in France. This already represents 250 hotel apartments thanks to the fifty or so partnerships signed with specialists in the sector, such as Adagio City Aparthotel, Citéa, My Suite, Residhome, etc.

What innovative services does Aéroports de Paris intend to offer its users in the coming years? Aéroports de Paris has made service its priority and we have put passenger customers at the heart of our development strategy. For example, in a few years' time, passenger services will incorporate new technologies...

You have just opened a route between Paris and Muscat. Is this to offer new indirect connections to South Asia or to bring more people to Oman? Of course, if connectivity can bring us business, we won't turn it down... But the aim of this new route is first and foremost to bring people to...

How did the Emiliano adventure start? Gustavo Filgueiras - Our family already owned a few small hotels in Brazil. But we realised that demand from businessmen and women represented around 90 % of our clientele, and that we needed to think of something new, original and truly luxurious in São...

What are Sofitel's development projects in the Gulf States? In September, we opened the Sofitel Jumeirah Beach, 438 rooms on the seafront, near the emirate's only open-air shopping centre. We will be inaugurating three other establishments in 2010: the Sofitel Barhain Zallaq Beach and the Sofitel...

What is the Mazagan Resort? The Mazagan Beach Resort, which opens on 1 October, is the Kerzner Group's first hotel in Morocco. Located in El Jedida, 90 km south of Casablanca, the hotel has 500 rooms, 11 restaurants, a casino, an 18-hole golf course and a spa. Above all, the resort boasts a...

In the early 90s, I moved to São Paulo to manage the flavour division of the Givaudan perfume group. In 1996, they wanted to send me back to France. That was out of the question. So I set up my own fragrance consulting business for the Brazilian market, making the most of my dual expertise...

What does Brasilia mean to you? Paulo Octavio - I was 12 years old when my father decided to move to Brasilia in 1961 as the capital's very first dentist. And like everyone of my generation, I had the privilege of watching this city grow, this amazing project. That's why I...

Thebookingroom is entering the French market. What makes your offer unique in the large-scale discount market? Firstly, a global service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This ensures continuity of service everywhere and, of course, avoids unnecessary costs in the event of...