|
IN BRIEF
|
In a dense exchange with Arnaud Abitbol, Executive Vice President of Marietton Développement and head of the Havas Voyages network, a clear vision emerges: a group anchored in the reality of the field, driven by external growth, a culture of transparency with its franchisees, technological acceleration with Supertripper, and a stated ambition for international. We discuss his dual role, his management style, post-Covid consumption trends, the impact of AI on the advisory profession, the differentiating strengths of Havas Voyages, upcoming challenges, as well as some memorable travel memories and advice for young professionals.
A dual role in service of the group’s dynamics
As Vice President, Arnaud Abitbol has two complementary missions. On one side, he drives the external growth strategy and the acquisition of companies capable of consolidating Marietton Développement‘s position in its fields. On the other, he supports and animates the Havas Voyages franchised network, made up of 220 agencies and a business volume exceeding €400 M in 2024. This dual role allows him to remain closely connected to market realities, the needs of distribution networks, and the expectations of end consumers.
Supertripper, a strategic milestone for tech
The group’s 34th acquisition, Supertripper, illustrates Marietton’s ambition to embrace travel tech to transform its operations. This French gem, led by a young executive now on the Comex, marks a change of scale: integration of technologies, reasoned automation, and strengthening of management tools for the benefit of leisure clients and business travel. In the same vein, the French ecosystem is evolving: initiatives like those highlighted around Travel Planet and Jean-Baptiste Djebbari contribute to a modernization dynamic in business travel in France (see news about the French travel tech ecosystem).
Animating a franchised network based on trust
On a daily basis, the relationship with Havas Voyages franchisees relies on transparent contracts and a logic of shared performance. The goal is clear: to offer a readable, rewarding, and responsive framework, so that each business owner maximizes their results. This requirement translates into fast decisions, short validation circuits, and tangible support on all operational and commercial issues.
A management of clarity, opportunity filtering, and responsiveness
The Abitbol method is based on one principle: analyze without complacency, decide quickly, and explain clearly. Regarding acquisitions, files are identified, sorted, and assessed according to their alignment with the group’s strategy, in close collaboration with the finance & acquisition department. For the network, communication is direct: clear impulses, explicit objectives, and measurable results. This approach fosters team federation and builds partner trust.
Two structuring axes: technology and international
Marietton Développement has made tech a key lever to accelerate its transformation. The integration of solutions like those from Supertripper should evolve the group’s “morphology,” streamlining the customer experience and enhancing operational efficiency. At the same time, international is becoming a priority expansion area, with ongoing dossiers nearing completion. The combination of these two axes outlines an ambitious trajectory, supported by a corporate culture forged through resilience against successive crises (from 9/11 to the pandemic).
Post-Covid travel behaviors: rising average spending and quest for experiences
Beyond the episode of “revenge travel,” the underlying trend observed is an increase in the average basket and a sanctification of holiday budgets by the French, despite economic ups and downs. Two movements coexist: a demand for accessible offers and the rise of a clientele willing to invest more in customized and experiential travel. These aspirations can be expressed individually, as a couple, with family, but also among friends, a form of travel that particularly attracts thirty-somethings, as highlighted in this insight on friend trips in your thirties.
Tomorrow: avoiding overtourism and cultivating exclusivity
The next five years could confirm the desire to move away from destinations saturated by overtourism in favor of more authentic territories. Brittany illustrates this desire for nature, even at the cost of a few swims in a wetsuit. In contrast, there is the rise of exclusive, exploratory, and niche travel, sometimes supported by very selective national policies. In France, new poles of attractiveness are emerging, like the massive tourist project in the Vercors, which reflects the expectations of a more qualitative and evenly distributed tourism.
AI and the role of advisors: complementarity rather than substitution
Artificial intelligence is becoming integrated into travelers’ habits, who often arrive at the agency already well-informed. However, building a reliable itinerary, managing logistical subtleties, and securing sensitive points remain high-value expertise. Havas Voyages Travel Planners act as “travel editors”: they ensure reliability, refine details, and provide that extra touch of humanity that technology cannot replace. To stay ahead, continuous training, vigilance, and relational excellence remain key.
What distinguishes Havas Voyages
Havas Voyages relies on an iconic brand and a network of destination specialists capable of providing in-depth expertise. The internal ecosystem is a decisive asset: eight integrated tour operators (Voyamar, Héliades, Austral Lagons, Solea, La Française des Circuits, Australie Tour, Alma Latina, Jetset) offer direct access to products and teams, with responsiveness designed to resolve issues quickly and effectively. This operational proximity, combined with readable and rewarding franchise contracts, creates a tangible competitive advantage.
Upcoming challenges: international, tools, and clarity of offers
The group is solidly positioned in leisure distribution, business travel, tour operating, and group activity, strengthened by recent acquisitions. Priorities: continue international expansion, accelerate improvements in tools and customer experience, further clarify the range, and promote the Made in France signature. In a context where each country supports its champions, the challenge is also to persuade French companies to entrust their travel to performing French actors.
Unforgettable travel moments
On a personal note, some experiences mark a lifetime. Rwanda, for the power of its history and the emotion of a meeting with the gorillas. And, at the other end of the spectrum, an expedition to the North Pole with a quick plunge into icy waters: fifteen seconds that leave an indelible memory.
Advice for young people wanting to get started
Tourism is a demanding and exciting profession. It requires a genuine curiosity about the world, a strong sense of service, rigor, and a willingness to engage with people. The fundamentals remain crucial: mastering the basics, understanding products, listening attentively, and developing that sense of interpersonal skills that makes all the difference. To be effective on the ground, equipping oneself with essential travel accessories also makes a difference, whether it’s about organizing documents, optimizing luggage, or securing travel.
Practical: prepare better, travel better
As travelers increasingly plan online part of their journey, the ability to sort information and remain agile becomes crucial. Those who manage to organize their project outside of noisy discussion groups or threads gain serenity; this is even truer when relying on a list of essential travel accessories and advice validated by professionals. The balance between digital tools and human support allows for anticipating unexpected issues and enriching the experience.
