House swapping: a huge success, California ablaze, Eurostar lagging behind and other news from the travel world… take a trip around the world in 80 seconds.

découvrez les dernières tendances du voyage avec notre récapitulatif : les échanges de maisons, l'incendie en californie, les retards de l'eurostar et bien plus encore. faites le tour du monde en seulement 80 secondes et restez informé des actualités qui bouleversent vos prochaines aventures.

IN BRIEF

  • HomeExchange surpasses 200,000 members in 145 countries.
  • 40% increase in house exchanges, with one occurring every two minutes.
  • Malibu ravaged by the Franklin Fire, destroying over 1,000 hectares.
  • Evacuation of 20,000 people, with celebrities affected.
  • Decrease in tourist attendance in Brittany with 21.2 million overnight stays in 2024.
  • Eurostar and Ouigo among the last in rail performance in Europe.
  • Thailand expects a rise in attendance following the filming of The White Lotus.

House Exchanges: A Crazy Success

The home exchange platform HomeExchange is experiencing impressive growth. In 2024, it surpasses the threshold of 200,000 members worldwide, spread across 145 countries. This growth, reaching 45% of its revenue for a total of 33 million euros, indicates the increasing appeal of this alternative mode of travel. Every minute, a house exchange takes place, allowing travelers to discover new destinations at a lower cost.

California Under Fire

In California, the situation is alarming with the outbreak of the Franklin Fire, which is devastating the Malibu area. Triggered last Monday, this fire has already destroyed over 1,000 hectares, leading to the evacuation of more than 20,000 people. The fires, exacerbated by the strong Santa Ana winds, are spreading at an alarming rate, with over 1,200 hectares lost in less than 24 hours. Among those affected, celebrities have also had to evacuate their residences quickly.

Eurostar Lagging Behind

In the rail sector, Eurostar and its subsidiary Ouigo are ranked among the least performing in Europe. A recent report from the European organization Transport and Environment reveals that, although there are 27 railway companies on the continent, some do not guarantee the expected quality of service. Eurostar ranks 25th and Ouigo 27th, highlights an unflattering report based on criteria such as punctuality and value for money.

Other News from the Travel World

Despite the end of the health crisis, Brittany is observing a slight slowdown in tourism in 2024, with 21.2 million overnight stays recorded. The French clientele, representing the majority of bookings, seems less inclined to travel, primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions during the summer. In contrast, the number of foreign tourists remains stable, offering an interesting contrast.

Finally, on the filming side, Thailand is preparing to see an increase in visitors thanks to the successful series The White Lotus, which chose the island of Koh Samui as the backdrop for its third season. This promises a new influx of tourists eager to discover this dream location and its luxurious hotels.