🇫🇷 France
🏨 Opening | B&B HOTELS strengthens its presence in the Pyrénées-Orientales
B&B HOTELS has announced the opening of B&B HOTEL Amélie-les-Bains Centre, a 71-room property located near the thermal baths of the Catalan spa town. Featuring a 24-hour reception, parking facilities and a meeting room, the hotel becomes the brand’s sixth property in the Pyrénées-Orientales department and its 32nd in the Occitanie region.
🏗️ Development | Ferré Hôtels develops a 66-room hotel in Saint-Malo
Rennes-based Ferré Hôtels, through its property company SCI Donavest, is developing a new 66-room hotel on Quai du Val in Saint-Malo, opposite the fish auction hall. The project occupies the former production site of ice cream maker Sanchez, whose buildings have been demolished. No opening timetable has been disclosed.
🚤 Alternative Accommodation | Fløtyll invests €900,000 in five houseboats
At Lac du Der, Fløtyll, founded by Antoine Bresson, is preparing a new fleet of five solar-electric houseboats, built locally in partnership with France Pontoons. The project represents an equity investment of €900,000. Having welcomed 1,500 guests in 2026, the operator is targeting more than 4,000 overnight stays during the next tourism season.
🏔️ Mountain Hospitality | Grand Hôtel de Serre Chevalier prepares an upscale repositioning
In Chantemerle, the four-star Grand Hôtel, established in 1947 at the foot of the Serre Chevalier ski slopes, is embarking on a repositioning programme. Christophe Chalvidal, appointed by the owners, is leading the strategy to strengthen the property’s upscale positioning while preserving its historic identity.
🏛️ Urban Regeneration | Lavelanet launches a €3 million project around Hôtel du Parc
In the Ariège department, the municipality of Lavelanet has begun demolishing disused buildings adjoining the former Hôtel du Parc. This initial phase forms part of an urban regeneration scheme estimated at €3 million, with announced subsidies covering 70% of the cost. Hotel rehabilitation is among the project’s ambitions, although the timetable has yet to be confirmed.
🇫🇷 French Polynesia | New Seattle–Papeete air service announced for 2027
Alaska Airlines has announced a direct service between Seattle and Papeete, to be operated by Hawaiian Airlines from 11 June 2027, with three flights per week throughout the year. The new connection is expected to improve French Polynesia’s international accessibility and support tourism development prospects across the archipelago.
⚖️ Hotel Real Estate | Commercial leases remain central to investment strategies
In an interview focusing on the Paris market, Laurent Viollet, a partner at law firm LVA, highlights the importance of rental value and the legal framework governing single-purpose commercial premises in negotiations between hotel owners and operators. He cites rents generally representing 10% to 12% of hotel revenue, with some situations reaching 15% to 16%, depending on asset characteristics.
🌍 International
🇲🇹 Strategy | Accor and Corinthia bring Verdi Hotels into Handwritten Collection
Accor and Corinthia Group (IHI plc) have announced a franchise agreement covering the integration of five Verdi hotels into Handwritten Collection from November 2026. The properties are located in Malta, Portugal and Tunisia. Two additional hotels, in Hungary and the Czech Republic, could follow. Verdi will retain its management platform while gaining access to Accor’s distribution, marketing and loyalty systems.
🇬🇧 London | Delano prepares its first UK hotel near Hyde Park
Ennismore is preparing to open Delano London in the former Baglioni Hotel at 60 Hyde Park Gate. The property will feature 67 rooms and suites, with suites accounting for more than half of the accommodation, alongside the Lana Lusa restaurant and Rose Bar. The first overnight stays are available from 21 December 2026, ahead of an official opening announced for early 2027.
🇲🇻 Taxation | Maldives votes to repeal a 17% tax
On 26 October, the Maldivian Parliament passed legislation repealing a 17% tax recently imposed on certain services marketed from overseas by travel agencies, tour operators and booking platforms. Approved by 43 votes to none, the measure is intended to ease the tax burden on international tourism distribution.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | UKHospitality warns over a 3.9% wage increase
Trade association UKHospitality is calling on the British government to reduce the sector’s tax burden following the announcement of a 3.9% increase in the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. According to its Chief Executive, Allen Simpson, the increase risks restricting the investment and recruitment capacity of businesses already facing substantial cost inflation.
🇹🇷 Türkiye | Formula 1’s return to Istanbul announced for October 2027
The Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix is scheduled to return to Istanbul Park from 1 to 3 October 2027. This tenth edition could provide a boost to Istanbul’s hotel market, particularly in the business, luxury and international events segments.
🇨🇭 Switzerland | La Givrine hotel project enters public consultation
In Saint-Cergue, in the canton of Vaud, the proposed four-star hotel at La Givrine is entering a public consultation period from 28 October to 26 November 2026. The development comprises two buildings combining upscale accommodation, spa and fitness facilities, retail space and restaurants, close to the railway station. Its implementation remains subject to administrative procedures.
🇮🇹 Italy | Fifteen Sardinian restaurants trial screen-free dining
In Sardinia, fifteen restaurants are participating in the initiative “A tavola senza schermi” (“At the table without screens”), designed to encourage family interaction during meals. Participating establishments will provide children with games and drawing kits developed in collaboration with the Italian Federation of Paediatricians. The voluntary trial is scheduled to run for one month.
