Travel Services: Facilitating Journeys

Travel Agencies: Reinvention Imperative

Traditional agencies transform or perish: - Specialization: Adventure, luxury, cultural niches - Service fees: Replacing commission models - Experience curation: Beyond booking - Corporate travel: Remaining stronghold

Sylvie Moreau (agency owner, Toulouse): "We can't compete with Booking.com on price. We sell expertise, connections, problem-solving. When volcanic ash strands you, apps won't get you home—we will."

Tour Operators: Package Evolution

Package holidays decline but specialized products grow: - River cruises: 450,000 passengers annually - Cycling tours: 10% annual growth - Wine tours: Premium pricing accepted - Educational travel: Student groups vital

Digital Platforms: New Intermediaries

French platforms struggle against global giants: - Voyage-sncf.com: Successful niche player - Regional booking systems: Fragmented efforts - Startup ecosystem: Innovation but scaling challenges - Data sovereignty: Growing concern