Early career in finance and tourism

Alexiane Eymard began her career in finance at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for one year before moving to the tourism industry. She later joined Genairgy, a family investment company, where she focused on the tourism sector, particularly vertical integration in scuba diving. This involved acquiring and managing clubs in several countries, including Egypt, the Maldives, Mexico, China, and Bali.

Transition to cruise industry and product development

In 2016, Eymard joined Ponant, a French cruise company, in the area of revenue management. Her role involved developing ancillary activities such as air travel, excursions, and onboard services. Over time, she moved from finance to sales and product development, playing a key role in the launch of the luxury cruise ship Commandant Charcot. She was responsible for defining its market positioning and onboard experience.

Co-founding a travel brand with a unique approach

In 2022, Eymard co-founded Collection Pointue with Flora Duyck, a travel brand focused on creating experiences around brands and communities. They organized trips to Japan and the American parks with content creators and ambassadors of Canon. While the initiative was commercially successful, it faced challenges in developing a scalable business model, which provided Eymard with valuable insights into the travel agency industry.

Joining Hello Travel and redefining the brand

In 2025, Eymard joined Hello Travel, taking over the tour operating activity for Copines de Voyage and Les Aventureurs. She aimed to position these brands as differentiated travel agencies with unique offerings tailored to specific groups. She renewed about 40% of the catalog, focusing on products designed for women, with options like "Girly Bali" for social media-savvy travelers and "Bali for the adventurers" for those seeking more active experiences.

Redefining brand collections and lifestyle focus

Eymard introduced several travel collections based on customer aspirations, including Éclaireuses for cultural trips, Solaires for relaxation-focused stays, Côtières for sea adventures, and Urbaines for city breaks. She also developed lifestyle-inspired "capsules," aiming to make Copines de Voyage a lifestyle brand. The first capsule, 10, featured high-end travel experiences, while the second, The Cool Mom’s Club, targeted mothers traveling with children.

2026 performance and future outlook

2026 saw a strong start for Copines de Voyage, with reservation growth of more than 20% in January and February and over 25% in June. However, the situation became more challenging by October, with weak end-of-year reservations and uncertainty about the economic and social environment. Eymard emphasized the need for investment in technology and marketing to prepare for a recovery in 2027.

Strategic partnerships and evolving travel trends

The entry of Intrepid Travel into the capital of Hello Travel does not affect the autonomy of Copines de Voyage, which maintains control over its brand identity, customer base, and universe. Eymard noted a shift in tourism from focusing on destinations to emphasizing experiences, with an emphasis on quality, meaning, and social connections.

Social media and direct distribution

Copines de Voyage originated through social media, with its Instagram account growing from 10,000 to 200,000 followers. The brand distributes its products directly through its website and sales teams, avoiding traditional travel agencies or tour operators. Eymard sees artificial intelligence as both an opportunity and a challenge, capable of improving productivity and inspiring new ideas for the team.