A culinary world in turmoil? Between court-ordered receiverships, forced disposals and the high-profile comeback of a double-Michelin-starred chef, the French restaurant sector is facing a turbulent start to the season. In hospitality, by contrast, openings and acquisitions continue apace across the globe.
🇫🇷 France
✨ Appointment | maeva&co is restructuring its outdoor hospitality franchise division (Camping Paradis, Ushuaïa Villages, Campings maeva) and has handed leadership to Sylvain Villot, supported by Carole Ange and Géraldine Boyer. The group has just brought the Les Vacances Camping Paradis and Ushuaïa Villages networks into the fold. #OutdoorHospitality #Camping #Appointment
🏨 Opening | B&B Hotel has opened its new property in Magnanville (Yvelines), with 93 rooms — its 10th site in the department and 79th in the Île-de-France region. Ideally located near the A13 motorway and Mantes-la-Jolie, it targets both business and leisure guests. #BBHotel #IledeFrance #Opening
👨🍳 Gastronomy | Double Michelin-starred chef Tom Meyer returns to Paris, taking charge of the new menu at the restaurant of Hôtel Madame Rêve, while continuing his venture at La Chèvre d’Or in Èze. A Meilleur Ouvrier de France, he made his mark on the capital at Granite before heading to the Côte d’Azur. #Paris #Gastronomy #MadameReve
⚖️ Difficulties | Georgi’Au, the restaurant run by Nîmes-based Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Nutile, was placed into court-ordered receivership on 13 August by the Nîmes Commercial Court, following a declaration of insolvency in late May. #Nimes #Restaurants #Difficulties
🔑 Handover | In La Défense, the founders of the Pause restaurants (Salade, Pasta, Grill) are handing over their three venues through an online competition open until 15 December, with no personal investment or bank financing required from candidates. #LaDefense #Restaurants #Handover
📉 Sector trend | More than 4,900 restaurant businesses have gone insolvent in France since January, up 7% year-on-year: a scorching summer failed to reverse the trend, according to Le Monde. #France #Restaurants #Insolvencies
⛵ Event | The Cannes Yachting Festival brought together 660 exhibitors and 700 boats from 8 to 13 September, drawing 56,000 visitors for its 49th edition — the first led by new director Constance Brément. #Cannes #Boating #Event
🌍 International
🤝 Acquisition | Leonardo Hotels Central Europe has simultaneously acquired four hotels in Germany (Berlin, Düsseldorf, Dortmund), adding 1,040 rooms and bringing its Berlin portfolio to nine properties. Further hotels from the former REVO portfolio are expected to follow. #Germany #Leonardo #Acquisition
🚀 Development | Rotana is developing 40 hotels (8,334 keys), including 10 projects in Saudi Arabia, its largest growth market. The group, which already operates 78 properties, is also betting on branded residences and mountain hospitality, with a first signing in Georgia. #SaudiArabia #Rotana #Expansion
🕊️ Return | Rotana is negotiating a return to Syria, which it left in 2014, as international sanctions are gradually lifted. The group has also ruled out any short-term stock market listing, despite having 40 hotels in the pipeline. #Syria #Rotana #International
💰 Results | IAG (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL) has passed the €1 billion mark in share buybacks under its €1.5 billion programme, underlining its financial strength. #IAG #Aviation #Finance
💻 B2B platform | Tourism Exchange Japan has launched the Japan Travel Trade Portal, a B2B platform charging 13% commission, aimed at steering travel professionals towards lesser-known Japanese regions (Niigata, San’in, the Kii Peninsula) and easing congestion in Tokyo and Kyoto. #Japan #TravelTech #B2B
⚖️ Heritage at risk | In Sri Lanka, the historic Beach Wadiya restaurant in Colombo — once frequented by Princess Anne and Richard Branson — has won a two-week legal reprieve against eviction, while also battling coastal erosion that is eating away at the beach. #SriLanka #Heritage #Justice
