Travel industry faces complex challenges in 2026

The year 2026 was marked by a complicated context for the travel industry, according to Tiphaine Heem-Fihey of Kit Soleil, a multidestination 100% B2B tool. The conflict in Iran did not make the task easier, though the company managed to recover a bit in July and August, which are normally calm months for order taking, but not completely. With the diversification of activities, the company is generally stable compared to last year.

Ticketing remains steady despite conflict

Ticketing remains stable, as customers who buy a ticket to return home will still return home despite the conflict. Groups have performed very well, as with other colleagues. For agencies, it really depends on the sales points. There are no more rules. Kit Soleil, a multidestination 100% B2B tool, has maintained its course, but the company depends on agencies that book with them.

Company pivots to multidestination packages

Kit Soleil was originally a specialist in Spain and its islands. The company pivoted from air chartering from the provinces, notably from Lille and Deauville to Majorca, and also to Ibiza. After the pandemic, air commitments were completely stopped for a matter of risk-taking. The company has pivoted towards a dynamic multidestination package tool, 100% B2B. Agencies connect to it and book for their customers, with the help of two highly qualified people.

Company acquires agencies and restructures

The company bought three Univairmer agencies in 2025. It is a restart, it is not simple, but the company believes it will achieve a very honorable pace next year. The agency in Creil will move to a local we have acquired, in a more commercial location. The agency will be redesigned in the company's image. With the works, everything should be ready by early 2027.

Company organizes seminar on cruise ship

The company has organized a seminar, which is an event the company organizes every year. The seminar was organized on a cruise ship. The goal was also to let them discover the product. It is a profitable product, which pleases customers we can convert. Once a person has been on a ship, they will do a cruise, maritime or river. It is a growing sector, with new ships arriving on all segments, and all companies.

Flight cancellations pose challenges

From the Hauts-de-France, for a departure from Marseille, for example, the company plans a night in a hotel the day before. Half of the company's agencies do departures from the provinces, from Lille, but also from Brussels or Charleroi. In Paris, the dynamic is not the same as in the provinces. In Paris, if you have to go to Majorca, there are four or five flights in the day and at worst you have to go from Roissy to Orly. In Lille, there is one or two per week: if the flight is canceled, you do not go.

Company adapts to social and economic changes

The social context is tightening in France, but the company does not necessarily feel a sense of unease in the activity. It is very difficult to anticipate. The company now knows that it is subject to risks. Next year, it knows it is an election year, and it is often said that it will be a bad year. The company does not really agree with that. There were elections a few years ago, and the company had a very good year.

Company introduces installment payments

The company offers installment payments, which were brought in by the three Univairmer agencies, which already offered them. The company did not have them before. It is actually a growing payment method for the company. Initially, the company offered them on ticketing, and it is now expanding them to packages for customers who want to make a nice trip and who do not want to pay all at once.

Company considers future expansion

The purchase of these three sales points was an opportunity, and the company is considering other purchases. It is not an absolute growth intention. The intention is to make the existing work, that the employees feel well in the company, and that the company is profitable, to pay the charges and the salaries. It is already a challenge. The company is redoing the brands, embellishing.

Company optimistic about 2027

The company sees 2027 as a year that could be a good vintage. Kerosene is a sword of Damocles, including in the minds of customers. They will fill up on fuel, they realize things. Travel has not increased as much as fuel and the company can still find affordable packages, some destinations remain very affordable. The company remains convinced that the customers it retains will come to buy their trips with it and it will work.