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IN BRIEF |
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Three months after taking office, Bryce Arnaud-Battandier imposes a style that is both peaceful and conquering at the head of NG Travel. Between the rebirth of Jet Tours, the growth of Kappa Club, the broadening of the offer with Club Coralia, and the integration of an artificial intelligence at the service of the teams, he places the human experience at the heart of travel, with launches announced as early as this winter and a distribution resolutely oriented towards travel agents.
At the IFTM trade show, amidst the flow of meetings and the noise of the stands, the new Chief Executive Officer of NG Travel exudes a contagious tranquility. His arrival, recent but already noted, translates to a clear roadmap: reactivate the DNA of the historical brands of the group, enhance the appeal of the clubs that make a difference on the ground, and place innovation at the service of humanity. The whole fits into a pragmatic vision: make travel appealing to those who depart, and ease the work of those who advise.
A Start Marked by Serenity and Momentum
Barely settled in, Bryce Arnaud-Battandier has found his rhythm. He speaks of a “dynamic” group, of a winter rich in new offerings, of products designed to meet travelers in search of meaning and simplicity. His creed is encapsulated in a balance: an impeccable customer experience, a clear offer, and a deep attachment to the human dimension, from the conception of a stay to the return.
Jet Tours, the Return of an Iconic Signature
Symbolizing a certain art of traveling in the French way, Jet Tours is back in the spotlight. The brand reinvents itself with new clubs, rethought circuits, and a modernized signature. Positioned in the mid-high range, it capitalizes on an uncompromising quality demand: beautiful addresses, attentive service, dense discovery itineraries, and flawless support. For Bryce Arnaud-Battandier, the challenge is simple: remain true to a reputation built on trust and not disappoint travelers as well as travel agents.
Heritage and Culture as Guiding Threads
Reactivate Jet Tours means reaffirming the place of heritage and local culture in travel. The idea is not to collect “must-sees,” but to create encounters, stories, and gestures of sharing. This perspective aligns with the current challenges of a sector that increasingly values the transmission and knowledge of places, reflected in initiatives that showcase the celebration of heritage in tourism. It promises a respectful immersion and sincere curiosity, far from clichés.
Kappa Club, Immersion at the Core
Within the NG Travel ecosystem, Kappa Club embodies friendliness, authenticity, and connection. Clients return in numbers, with a loyalty rate exceeding 40%. It’s not just a beach vacation: the team creates experiences like a dinner with locals in Morocco, an evening to learn about Thai traditions, or a walk off the beaten path. This “human-faced club” delights because it tells the destination in a different way, through the people, gestures, and flavors.
Experiencing the Destination, Not Just Consuming It
This philosophy aligns with an underlying movement: traveling differently, closely with communities, avoiding reducing a country to a postcard. From Kyoto to Marrakech, the challenge is to understand the codes, adopt the right tempo, and respect customs. Insights about Kyoto and its geishas in the face of tourism remind us, for example, how local experiences require tact and sensitivity. It is this delicacy that makes the difference between a spectacular stay and a meaningful journey.
Coralia, Reasoned Accessibility
Aware of the pressure on purchasing power, the group enriches its portfolio with Club Coralia and circuits designed to be more affordable. The ambition: to offer accessible vacations without compromising on essentials—well-located hotels, quality dining, sports activities, kids’ clubs, and real contact with local culture. The positioning aims to be “fair,” with a clear quality/price ratio, and teams trained to support, explain, and personalize.
Clear Promises for a “Just Premium” Club
Travelers find welcoming beaches, well-thought-out spaces, and activities that prioritize relaxation as much as discovery. The attention to detail, choice of partners, and oversight enhance trust among clients and agencies. The same responsible adjustment logic inspires broader reflection on emerging forms of travel, such as a new era of “non-tourism” where one slows down to better understand the places visited.
An Artificial Intelligence at the Service of Humanity
At NG Travel, AI is not a gadget: it is an internally developed virtual assistant, learning over interactions and assisting travelers before and after their stay. It answers recurring questions, streamlines organization, and lightens the team’s workload. When the request becomes more subtle or emotional, the human takes over. This “AI + advisor” chain refocuses the profession on listening, relationships, and creating emotions—in other words, the very essence of travel.
Discreet Technology, Relationship in the Spotlight
The goal is not to automate the relationship, but to make it more available. By saving time on operations, advisors deepen personalization: recommending a table with locals, proposing a sunrise walk, adapting the circuit’s pace for a family. This approach aligns with the expectations of a more ethical tourism, which listens, explains, and supports, rather than imposing a single model.
A Winter of Launches and a 100% Agency Network
The upcoming season promises to be rich: new openings, product repositioning, refined itineraries. The distribution network remains fully backed by travel agents, whose expertise and proximity to clients are essential. The message is coherent: support from the first advice to the return, take care of expectations, and promise an experience that surprises with its quality as much as its simplicity.
Inspiring Horizons
This resurgence of ambition is inspired by destinations calling for contemplation and moderation: the vast islands and skies of South America—like the journey to the Argentine islands and skies—to the heritage cities where encounter prevails over performance. Underneath it all, a conviction: one can inspire dreams without succumbing to excess, celebrate the beauty of a place without damaging it, and offer attentive support rather than overwhelming. In this context, NG Travel‘s strategy reaffirms its guiding principle: clear brands, products designed for experience, and a profoundly human relationship, from the brief to the last postcard.
