🇫🇷 FRANCE
💶 Public Finances | GHR opposes proposed €125 million withdrawal from ANCV reserves
The Groupement des Hôtelleries & Restaurations de France (GHR) is calling on parliamentarians to reject a proposed €125 million withdrawal from the reserves of the French National Holiday Voucher Agency (ANCV), included in the 2027 Finance Bill.
According to the organisation, the measure would undermine financial assistance enabling people to take holidays and could reduce business activity for tourism professionals. GHR warns in particular that ANCV’s reserves could be depleted by 2029.
⚖️ Employment | Working while receiving a pension: new restrictions from 2027
Two decrees clarify the new rules applying to individuals receiving their first retirement pension from 1 January 2027.
Before the statutory retirement age, earnings from returning to work will be deducted in full from pension payments. Between the statutory retirement age and 67, a pension reduction mechanism will apply when annual earnings exceed €7,000.
These changes could affect the hospitality and restaurant industry’s ability to employ experienced retired professionals.
✨ Appointment | Sabrina René takes the helm of Hôtel Broisin in Aix-les-Bains
Sabrina René, who also manages the Exit art gallery, has taken over the management of Hôtel Broisin in Aix-les-Bains.
Her project aims to bring together hospitality, artistic creation and Creole gastronomy, developing a distinctive cultural and culinary identity for the property in the Savoie region.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL
🇲🇦 💰 Investment | Pickalbatros secures $250 million financing package in Morocco
Egyptian hotel group Pickalbatros Hotels & Resorts has secured a $250 million financing package provided by the International Finance Corporation and Attijariwafa Bank.
The transaction is intended to support, among other initiatives, the acquisition of Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche and Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca, renovations at properties in Marrakech and Agadir, and the refinancing of existing debt.
Pickalbatros already operates nine hotels with more than 2,700 rooms in Morocco.
🇺🇸 🤝 Distribution | Wyndham and HotelREZ partner to bring more than 40 independent hotels into Registry Collection
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has announced a strategic partnership with HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts that will enable more than 40 Elegant Hotels of the World properties to join Registry Collection Hotels by early 2027.
These hotels will retain their existing affiliation while gaining access to Wyndham’s commercial distribution channels and its Wyndham Rewards loyalty programme, which reports approximately 129 million members.
🇳🇿 🏨 Opening | Accor introduces greet to New Zealand
Accor has opened greet Hotel Auckland Off Queen, an 82-room economy hotel located in Auckland’s central business district.
Owned by Dr Bryan Ngoi and operated by 1834 Hotels, the property marks the debut of the greet brand in the New Zealand market.
Launched in France in 2019, the brand now has more than 45 properties and 3,300 rooms.
🇺🇸 🧘 MICE Strategy | Hilton incorporates wellbeing into its meetings offering
Hilton has launched High Performance Meetings, a new initiative developed in partnership with consultancy TIGNUM.
The approach focuses on four dimensions: mental preparation, nutrition, physical activity and recovery.
It aims to integrate wellbeing more closely into the organisation of professional meetings and events, as participant expectations increasingly favour formats that combine effectiveness with personal wellbeing.
🇩🇪 🏗️ Development | Althoff Hotels announces new AMERON property on Sylt
Althoff Hotels plans to open AMERON Sylt Hotel Windrose in spring 2028 in Wenningstedt, Germany.
The former Hotel Windrose, whose origins date back to 1910, will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment.
The project will include 82 rooms, 18 residences, a new food and beverage offering and a spa.
It will become the third resort in the AMERON collection, following Davos and Neuschwanstein.
🇮🇪 ✈️ Aviation | Ryanair reports 15% decline in half-year profit
Ryanair has reported net profit of €2.15 billion for the first half of its 2027 financial year, down 15%.
Despite a 6% increase in passenger traffic to 125.8 million, the airline has been affected by rising unhedged fuel costs and a 4% decline in average fares.
This development warrants attention from European tourism destinations heavily dependent on low-cost air travel.
🇦🇹 ✨ Appointment | Meltem Elghamri appointed to lead Hotel Steffisalp and Radisson Hotel Lustenau
1912 Hotels has announced the appointment of Meltem Elghamri as General Manager of Hotel Steffisalp in Warth am Arlberg, Austria.
With more than ten years of international experience, including roles with Hilton, GCH Hotel Group and PRISM, she will also oversee Radisson Hotel Lustenau.
Her appointment comes ahead of the reopening of Steffisalp, scheduled for 4 December following an extensive refurbishment.
LTH Analysis | Three developments to watch
Hotel asset financing is increasingly linked to consolidation strategies. The Pickalbatros transaction illustrates the role of financial institutions in supporting acquisitions, portfolio modernisation and balance sheet restructuring.
Major hotel brands are expanding their reach without necessarily acquiring properties. The Wyndham–HotelREZ agreement and greet’s conversion model demonstrate hotel groups’ growing interest in relatively asset-light development strategies.
The guest experience is expanding into new areas. With High Performance Meetings, Hilton is seeking to differentiate its MICE offering, while the projects in Sylt and Aix-les-Bains highlight the importance placed on property identity and positioning.
At a Glance
Morocco: Pickalbatros secures a $250 million financing package to support acquisitions, renovations and refinancing.
Global distribution: Wyndham partners with HotelREZ to bring more than 40 independent hotels into Registry Collection.
New Zealand: Accor introduces its greet brand with an 82-room Auckland hotel.
Germany: Althoff Hotels plans an 82-room AMERON resort with 18 residences on Sylt for 2028.
France: Hospitality employers face potential implications from ANCV funding proposals and new pension-employment rules.
Leadership: Meltem Elghamri takes responsibility for two Austrian properties operated by 1912 Hotels.
