Inflation hits French tourism
PARIS, 14 September 2011 – French consumer prices rose by 0.5% in August from the level in July when they fell by 0.4%, putting 12-month inflation at 2.2%, the INSEE statistics institute said on Tuesday.
The increase in August reflected mainly the end of the summer retail sales period, but also a rise in the prices of services in the tourism sector.
Paris is one of the most popular destinations for Asian tourists alongside Rome and London and inflation will impact on hotel and ground handling costs for travel agents. Read more
Plans to turn Paris icon into hotel
PARIS, 16 December 2010 – The Palace of Versailles is to transform one of its satellite buildings into a luxury hotel, paving the way for a series of French projects aimed at exploiting the economic potential of listed buildings while securing their renovation.
The Hotel du Grand Controle, the traditional home of the chateau’s treasurers, is to be converted into a “luxury hotel,” Jean-Jacques Aillagon, president of the Chateau de Versailles, said Tuesday.
Food for thought over heritage list
PARIS, 16 November 2010 – When it comes to meal time, the French do it differently. That is the argument being put to UNESCO as it decides this week whether French cuisine deserves a spot on its intangible heritage list.
“The gastronomic meal of the French” is seen as a strong contender as the UN agency meets in Nairobi from Monday to Friday to consider new submissions for the list, set up in 2003 to safeguard cultural traditions, rituals and crafts.
Paris landmark hotel sold
PARIS, 9 November 2010 – Paris’s world-famous luxury Crillon hotel has been sold to Saudi investors linked to the royal family for around US$355 million sources close to the sale told AFP late last week.
US-based Starwood Capital is in the final stages of the sale which does not include a reportedly 100-million-euro programme needed to modernise one of the world’s oldest luxury hotels, according to the daily Le Figaro.
First European flight in 20 years lands in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, 1 November 2010 – The first flight by a European carrier in 20 years landed in Baghdad on Sunday, marking an important step for a country looking to post-war reconstruction following the ravages of the 2003 US-led invasion.
The Airbus A319 operated by France’s Aigle Azur airline from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport touched down at 6:00 am (0300 GMT), carrying on board France’s Trade Minister Anne-Marie Idrac and 111 passengers, including 40 French businessmen, officials said.
Accor announces Indian expansion
NEW DELHI, 18 August 2010 – French hotel and services giant Accor plans to have 90 hotels in operation in India by 2015 compared with just eight presently, chief executive Gilles Pelisson said Wednesday.
“India today is one of the world’s most exciting growth markets with strong demand across all segments,” Pelisson told reporters in New Delhi.
“Together with our (Indian) partner InterGlobe, Accor is capitalising on this demand with the strategy that will see it have 90 hotels in India by 2015.”
France tops the price scale
July 19, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
LONDON, 19 July 2010 – Which are the most expensive countries to visit – and which are the cheapest?
UK-based Sky-scanner a meta search site for airline bookings believes it has the answer following a survey of 1,500 people who participated in the website’s latest survey.
The bombshell for the French tourism board is that the pristine stretch of vacation country known as South of France, will cost you a bomb and if the survey is right it is cheaper to holiday in Dubai, Switzerland and can we dare suggest even Norway?
Tongue tied over French visa
May 10, 2010 by Duangrudee Somboonruangsri
Filed under Blogs, News
Applying for Schengen Visa is costly for Thais and time consuming especially through the French embassy.
Apart from Bt2,727 visa fee, applicants have to pay Bt1,200 in visa service fees to the centre, which is outsourced to a private company. The service centre is about as luxurious as a Thailand Post office.
Back to Paris promotions
April 28, 2010 by Duangrudee Somboonruangsri
Filed under News
ATOUT France, France Tourism Development Agency will cooperate with four Thai travel agents to launch a consortium campaign called “Time for France” to promote shopping in style mainly in Paris.
Seatrade Med event
March 29, 2010 by Duangrudee Somboonruangsri
Filed under News
The French Riviera Cruise Club in Cote d’Azur in France has been selected to host Seatrade Med 2010 for the first time in France.
The event will be held in Cannes at the Palais des Festivals from 30 November to 2 December.
Seatrade Med is an international exhibition for the cruise industry, which takes place every two years in the Mediterranean. Previous exhibitions were held in Italy: Genoa from 1996 to 2004; Naples in 2006; and Venice in 2008. Read more
