Newsletter: March 2026
Editor’s Note
This month, our thoughts are with the many colleagues across the hospitality and tourism industry affected by ongoing geopolitical conflicts. Hospitality is built on openness, exchange, and connection, and moments like these remind us how interconnected our global community truly is.
That same spirit of international exchange was evident earlier this month at ITB Berlin (March 3–5), one of the world’s leading travel and tourism trade shows, attended by our Communications Manager, Chirag Patel [linkedin]. We look forward to incorporating the insights gathered during the event into our current work and upcoming projects.
Thank you, as always, for being part of the Junior IMHI community.
March in Paris - Hospitality x Fashion, Sport, and Travel
March places Paris at the intersection of three influential ecosystems: fashion, luxury sport, and global tourism. Paris Fashion Week draws the international creative industry, the Saut Hermès gathers ultra-high-net-worth equestrian clients, and the Salon Mondial du Tourisme convenes travel professionals and destinations shaping future demand.
For hospitality operators, the month offers a clear snapshot of how visibility, clientele segmentation, and experiential travel trends are evolving.
Fashion Week: Restaurants and Hotels as Social Infrastructure
During Paris Fashion Week, hospitality venues function less as traditional service spaces and more as social infrastructure for the global fashion industry.
Hotels such as Hôtel National des Arts & Métiers, Soho House Paris, and Madame Rêve become informal headquarters for editors, stylists, and buyers moving between shows. The value for these properties lies not only in occupancy but in visibility, cultural positioning, and network proximity.
Restaurants play a similar role. Fashion Week dining prioritizes atmosphere and social signaling as much as cuisine. Venues such as Le Pompon, Sant Ambroeus, Lafayette’s, and Kubaba attract fashion insiders looking for spaces where professional and social interactions merge.
For hospitality brands, the takeaway is clear: during cultural moments like Fashion Week, venues that function as gathering points outperform those positioned purely around dining or accommodation.
The Saut Hermès: Hosting the UHNW Client
In parallel, the Saut Hermès international show-jumping competition brings a different luxury clientele to Paris: ultra-high-net-worth individuals, collectors, and long-standing Hermès clients.
Unlike Fashion Week’s highly visible social ecosystem, equestrian events operate in a more discreet hospitality environment. Demand focuses on:
privacy and discretion
highly personalized concierge services
private dining and curated experiences
For hotels and restaurants, events like the Saut Hermès highlight the continued importance of relationship-driven luxury hospitality, where repeat guests and tailored service outweigh scale.
Salon Mondial du Tourisme: Where Travel Trends Are Debated
From 12–15 March, the Salon Mondial du Tourisme at Porte de Versailles gathers hundreds of destinations, travel agencies, and tourism professionals, offering a snapshot of how travel demand is evolving.
The conference program highlights a clear industry shift: travel decisions increasingly begin online but are validated through experiences.
Five Key Conferences at the Salon Mondial du Tourisme:
Voyage & Inspiration: The New Travel Pathways on Pinterest
How visual platforms are reshaping the travel inspiration funnel and influencing destination discovery.
Thurs 12/3, 10:30 - 11:30, More information →
How Influencers Help Tourism Professionals Grow
A discussion on the role of creators and social storytelling in shaping travel demand.
Thurs 12/3, 15:30 - 16:30, More information →
The New Hidden Gems of Travel: When Experience Becomes the Destination
Why travelers increasingly prioritize immersive experiences over traditional sightseeing.
Thurs 12/3, 12:00 - 13:00, More information →
Tailor-Made Travel: Gastronomy and Human Encounters
Exploring how culinary experiences and local encounters drive demand for bespoke travel.
Fri 13/3, 14:15 - 14:45, More information →
Escaping in France: Is Dépaysement Possible Without Leaving the Country?
A look at how domestic destinations create emotional “escape” through culture, nature, and gastronomy.
Sun 15/3, 10:30 - 11:00, More information →
Key Takeaways for Hospitality
Three dynamics stand out across these events:
Hospitality as cultural infrastructure
Relationship-driven luxury
Experience-led travel demand
Together, these signals reinforce a broader shift: hospitality success in global cities like Paris increasingly depends on curating experiences, communities, and cultural relevance, not just providing service.
IN ONE IMAGE
Audi x Burnt Ends Bakery and GT Bar
Audi Singapore’s Managing Director, Markus Schuster, echoes the strategy of other consumer-facing luxury brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabbana— who have recently expanded into hospitality— when describing the mission behind the newly opened Audi bakery and speakeasy bar in Chinatown: “We wanted something very immersive for people, something that appeals to all the senses.”
— Eléonore des Rotours [LinkedIn], Consultant
IN ONE NUMBER
25,000
25,000 square feet.
That’s the footprint of the new Six Senses Spa, breathing new life into The Whiteley, a landmark of West London. Spanning an entire floor, it features the city’s first magnesium pool, a dedicated longevity clinic and an "Alchemy Bar" for plant-based medicine.
— Mélodie Karabassian [LinkedIn], Senior Consultant
We Breathe Hospitality
On March 29, ten members of the Junior IMHI team will be participating in the 10km des Étoiles, a race that brings together professionals from the tourism and hospitality industries in the heart of Paris. Beyond the sporting challenge, the event supports several important causes, including medical research and organizations assisting patients and families affected by serious illness. We hope to see some familiar faces in the crowd and along the route.
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Weekly exchanges with industry leaders, insights from hospitality experts, private hotel visits, cross-sector project work, and a growing international alumni network—at ESSEC IMHI, hospitality isn’t just what we study. It’s how we think, analyze, and operate.
We are always eager to engage in new projects and conversations. If you’re looking for thoughtful, fast, and grounded recommendations—rooted in methodical data analysis and on-the-ground industry exposure—don’t hesitate to reach out or follow us on LinkedIn.
They Trust Us