>De très nombreux autres pays sont au moins aussi attirants ...
70 millions de chinois riches vont faire 1 voyage par an. S'ils ont environ 70 pays de destinations, chaque pays aura environ 1 million de touristes chinois riches chaque année. La Tunisie peut être une de ces destinations parmi 69 autres. Vaut-il mieux pour la Tunisie 1 million de touristes chinois riches, ou 1 million de touristes français dont 95 % veulent un voyage économique ?
Si les français veulent aller en Tunisie, il faudra sans doute qu'ils paient un peu plus que ce dont ils avaient l'habitude. S'ils allaient en Tunisie uniquement pour le prix, c'était méprisant pour la Tunisie et les tunisiens, c'était une forme d'exploitation. Ceux qui veulent vraiment aller en Tunisie pour la Tunisie iront quand-même, en payant un prix comparable à celui d'autres pays où ils auraient envie d'aller.
En plus, il faut penser aux tunisiens eux-mêmes : ceux qui n'ont pas les moyens de partir en vacances à l'étranger apprécieraient peut-être que certaines zones de loisirs de leur pays ne soient pas complètement envahies par un tourisme de masse de l'étranger. Accepter les touristes en leur souhaitant la bienvenue, c'est bien, mais le but du tourisme est quand-même aussi d'améliorer les conditions de vie des tunisiens.
Ceux qui veulent vraiment aller en Tunisie pour la Tunisie iront quand-même, en payant un prix comparable à celui d'autres pays où ils auraient envie d'aller.
Ben oui comme la Floride par exemple! Pour relancer le tourisme en Tunisie ils devraient construire un parc d'attraction qui serait leur parc Astérix ! ils pourraient l'appeler parc Hannibal par exemple..je sais pas moi! Mais j'suis sûr que ça marcherait bien!
>De très nombreux autres pays sont au moins aussi attirants ...
70 millions de chinois riches vont faire 1 voyage par an.
Plutôt 120 millions de chinois aisé (env. 30 000€/an/foyer) et 280 million en 2020 normalement. Mais ça, c'est pas des riches. Les classes aisé préfère dépenser leur argent dans des objets pour "l'image", le "paraitre". Ces cela que nous avons à Paris. Ils veulent dépenser le moins en logement/nourriture (ils dorment la plupart du temps en périphérie de Paris dans un "quartier chinois"pour manger chinois) pour garder le maximum d'argent pour faire les boutiques. Ce sont cela qui sont en car et qui font le tour de l'Europe en une semaine.
Il faut pas compter sur eux pour faire marcher les hôtel/restaurent.
C'est mal connaitre la mentalité chinoise pour penser qu'il aiment dépenser leur argent pour des "souvenirs". Le chinois est très matérialiste (d'où le succès des marques de luxe en Chine). Surement le plus matérialiste du monde. Pour eux, un voyage c'est avant tous un circuit de boutique de luxe. Les monument c'est secondaire.
Les riches sont 700 000 (riche => 180 000€/an/foyer). 100 fois moins que ton chiffre
Ceux là, sont aussi matérialiste mais ont les moyens de dépenser en parallèle dans les voyages. Sauf que cela demande du très haut de gamme que la Tunisie est pour l'instant incapable de leur fournir. Et ils sont aussi très dans le "paraitre" sur le choix des destinations. Cela pour l'image d'eux lors des discussions entre amis/collègue riches (mesurage de zizi). Pour l'instant, la Tunisie n'a pas vraiment une image "glamour" pour cette clientèle.
Sinon, j'aime bien cette article sur les chiffres du tourisme du gouvernement.
"Un bivouac c'est un peu comme le dépucelage et la première cuite, une espèce de rite qui fais de toi un homme" (MonsieurHenri du site randonner-léger.org).
Ben oui comme la Floride par exemple! Pour relancer le tourisme en Tunisie ils devraient construire un parc d'attraction qui serait leur parc Astérix ! ils pourraient l'appeler parc Hannibal par exemple..
Très bonne idée.
Il faut que le pays se démarque en proposant des activités que propose pas la concurrence.
En plus, un parc, c'est de la plus valu donc augmentation du prix du séjour => devise en plus.
Un parc, c'est aussi beaucoup d'emploi à faible formation.
Heureusement que l'Est de Paris à Disneyland qui offre pas mal d'emploi.
"Un bivouac c'est un peu comme le dépucelage et la première cuite, une espèce de rite qui fais de toi un homme" (MonsieurHenri du site randonner-léger.org).
Un parc, c'est aussi beaucoup d'emploi à faible formation.
Heureusement que l'Est de Paris à Disneyland qui offre pas mal d'emploi.
Un parc oui mais un peu original ; pas une simple imitation de Disney! Mais plutôt dans le style Tunisien comme notre parc Astérix est dans le style français! en y ajoutant comme thème la mer par exemple...
70 millions de chinois riches vont faire 1 voyage par an. S'ils ont environ 70 pays de destinations, chaque pays aura environ 1 million de touristes chinois riches chaque année. La Tunisie peut être une de ces destinations parmi 69 autres. Vaut-il mieux pour la Tunisie 1 million de touristes chinois riches, ou 1 million de touristes français dont 95 % veulent un voyage économique ?
Il est certainement plus rémunérateur d'accueillir un million de Chinois riches plutôt qu'un million de Français pauvres.
Mais, à mon avis, c'est pas demain la veille que la Tunisie sera envahie par un million de Chinois ...
T'imagine un parc avec comme thème "les milles et une nuit".
Je suis pas parc mais j'adorerai avoir des attractions style "le tapis volant", "la caverne d'Ali baba", "la babouch géante", etc...
"Un bivouac c'est un peu comme le dépucelage et la première cuite, une espèce de rite qui fais de toi un homme" (MonsieurHenri du site randonner-léger.org).
En faite, vous avez aucun argument (économique et chiffré) où idée pour sortir le pays de la mouise.
Votre aveuglement sur "la Tunisie est parfaite, tous est beau" semble vous avoir supprimer votre sens critique sur ce pays.
"Un bivouac c'est un peu comme le dépucelage et la première cuite, une espèce de rite qui fais de toi un homme" (MonsieurHenri du site randonner-léger.org).
Pour le parc c'est déjà fait depuis le 01062014, c'est dans la banlieue nord de Tunis et il se nomme "Carthage Land Berges du Lac Tunis".
Pour les touristes riches :
Les riches Saoudiens, Lybiens, ou du Quatar ou autre... j'en ai vu beaucoup dans les hôtels 5* de qualité supérieur et oui ils dépensent leur argent sans compter, mais seulement dans l'hôtel et ils ne mettent même pas les pieds à l'extérieur donc pour les autres commerçants.....quel avenir
Les riches chinois ou plutôt les asiatiques j'en ai vu très peu, en excursion avec guide, photos à la pelle et au moment de rentrer dans les boutiques, ben ils font le gros sourire et se sauvent.
J'ai vu pal mal d'Hollandais dans les boutiques et ils achètent...
Après les français je les ai vu aussi en excursion des croisières et font la même choses que les asiatiques.
Si j'affirme tout cela c'est parce que j'ai séjourné à Sidi Bou Said pendant 10j en Aout, hotel 5* (180e/la chambre avec petit déjeuner) et midi et soir nous mangions dans les resto des alentours. Donc résultat = aucun touriste dans ces resto que se soit classe ou pas.
Mon amie d'enfance habite La Marsa et nous avons testé plusieurs hôtel 5* la journée pour les plages donc nous avons pu observer la clientèle.
Donc quel est le mieux les riches ou les autres, aucune idée ... pourquoi pas comme nous, nous avons fait marcher l'hotel, les restaurants, les taxis un maximum, et les boutiques pour se faire plaisir. Bien sûr cela fait plus cher qu'un all inclusive mais nous sommes très satisfait de ce séjour.
Donc quel est le mieux les riches ou les autres, aucune idée ... pourquoi pas comme nous, nous avons fait marcher l'hotel, les restaurants, les taxis un maximum, et les boutiques pour se faire plaisir. Bien sûr cela fait plus cher qu'un all inclusive mais nous sommes très satisfait de ce séjour.
La meilleur client reste la classe moyenne/aisé occidental. Elle ne prennent pas forcément du All Inclusive, elle a plus l'habitude de voyager sans TO (contrairement au asiatique) et a des revenus lui permettant de dépenser une somme rondelette à la fois dans le logement, la nourriture et les activités. Cela semble correspondre à ton profil.
Par contre, elle est curieuse du monde donc moins "fidèle" à un seul pays.
Un pays qui je trouve à bien mixé son tourisme c'est le Pérou.
Il y a beaucoup de voyageur "sac à dos" (jeune et pas forcément très riche), pas mal de groupe en TO (retraité) et de la classe moyenne qui dépense. Résultat, il y a des clients pour tout type de logement/restaurent.
Faut dire qu'il a pour lui un gros patrimoine historique et une géographie avantageuse.
"Un bivouac c'est un peu comme le dépucelage et la première cuite, une espèce de rite qui fais de toi un homme" (MonsieurHenri du site randonner-léger.org).
Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec vous, perso je n'aime pas les all inclusive (testé une fois à Djerba) on était un groupe de 50 amis (une association dont je faisais partie) à part le fait de s'éclater tous ensemble, j'ai eu l'impression d'être passé à côté de beaucoup de choses...dommage.
Exact aussi pour la diversité des destinations, par contre l'inconvénient est que certains pays (vu les prix et les distances) se font beaucoup plus facilement en circuit. Certes on voit beaucoup plus de choses mais à quelle vitesse ....l'horreur pour moi qui aime tant me mélanger à la population et vivre pour un court instant à son rythme.
Je ne savais pas pour le Pérou, c'est à voir....je suis plutôt Afrique l'année prochaine Sénégal (déjà 3fois mais j'adore)
Me voici sur place depuis quelques jours , effectivement c'est très très sale, les poubelles brulent un peu partout , bouteilles et plastique virevolte , même traversé une rue c'est au milieu d'encombres , c'est le dépotoir a ciel ouvert mais dès que l'on ce trouve a la plage c'est propre ça vas a peu près , mise a part sur la route qui nous mène a Midoum ou Houmt souk
Les hôtel ont décidés de ne pas payé leurs impôts a cause de cette saletés pour essayer de faire bouger le gouvernement ...mais ils vont mettre cette argent de coté et le donneront si ça bouge.
Beaucoup de Tunisiens sont déçue de voir leur ile comme cela .
Mais il fait beau , la mer est très bonne et les Tunisiens toujours aussi chaleureux .
depuis la fermeture de Guellala, Houmt Souk est un véritable dépotaire et celà depuis 2 mois, nous sommes obligés de faire brûler les poubelles, il y a beaucoup de luttes (associations), pour faire une action d'éclat ce n'est pas la bonne période car touristique, mais je pense que nous devrons en passer par là ; il faudra aussi apprendre à trier, les bouteilles en plastiques ça commence remplacer les poubelles, avoir un minimum de structures ; il y a énormément de boulot,
en plus la population à presque doublée avec les touristes (même s'ils sont moins nombreux), mais surtout avec les Lybiens qui passent la frontière pour se réfugier, celà devient problématique.
bonjour oui cata sur Houmt Souk mais c'est le seul moyen de revendiquer des choses dommage pour les touristes. Les lybiens affluent en masse pas que de bonnes choses à venir pour les Tunisiens. Pour les problèmes des détritus çà fait plus de 2 mois largement au mois de mai déjà alors le tri sélectif pourtant mis en place à bien du mal à se faire toujours problème d'infrastructure et bien sur avec le nombre d'hôtel donc de touristes sur l'île çà bouchonne à un moment. Et pourtant çà construit toujours et toujours centre commercial en prévision. J'ose dire Allo c'est une île 517 km2 l'environnement c'est pas Dubaï Désolée mais un peu en colère ! là c'est Appel aux Tunisiens au secours faite quelque chose pour votre terre et votre avenir
Salut Micht et la Cie.
Sais tu si les Kerkenah sont aussi sales? En février c'était l'horreur, en avril Mai c'était un peu mieux.
Je vais faire ma cure d'arénothérapie en novembre dans le sud du sud et je compte bien au retour, pendant que ma bagnole sera aux soins intensifs à Tunis, passer quelques jours sur l’île.
Tant que tu es à Djerba regarde la marque des container poubelles "SNCM" ça ne s'invente pas!!!
encore un stroumpf grognon ? c'est bon, on a compris.
changez votre lieu de vacances.
Grognon comme tout le monde
Mais quand je voie à la télé M6 faire de la propagande pour ce pays , alors que des étudiants affichent des banderoles a la gloire de daech et d'Hitler plus l'attentat de ce matin .je me pose des questions et me dit que ce pays deviens de plus en plus taré
Le pb c'est que, hors Tunis, 80% des dj'euns passent leur vie devant une tasse de café vide en déblatérant sur l'occident en cherchant une combine pour ... le rejoindre.
Les conversations tournent sur: Les juifs, Sarkozy... et même Bush. Ils sont pas trop d'actualité mais pour répandre des calomnies ça suffit.
Personne ne travaille, seuls quelques quadras font vivre des familles nombreuses entières.
Pauvre pays, malgré tous mes espoirs tu es foutu. J'y séjourne deux mois par ans mais je sais pas si ça va être encore possible.
Bonjour, oui c'est bien çà des fous, des drogués, des délinquants manipulés. On oublie qu'en France c'est pas mieux, 3 attentats en même temps j'espère tout simplement que la Tunisie ne va pas rester seule dans son combat et qu'il serait temps d'intervenir mais ensemble en Libye mais ce n'est que mon point de vue.
Pour ma part je reste en Tunisie
Bonjour balanchyne
vous dites "3 attentats en même temps en France" ?????
Je pense que vous vouliez dire dans le monde (France, Tunisie, Koweït)...
Chacun fait comme il entend, vous, vous êtes francaise en tunisie et moi tunisienne en France. Je ne sais pas laquelle d'entre nous 2 est le plus en sécurité...
Quoi qu'il en soit il est vrai qu'il est urgent d'intervenir en Libye car le DAECH est a 600 kilomètres des frontières tunisienne.
Pour ma part, et encore cette année, après le Ramadan je ferais venir ma mère en France et nous passerons nos vacances sur la côtes espagnoles...
Je comprends valérie, moi aussi j'aime ma TUNISIE, ma PATRIE, elle coule dans mes veines...
Mais j'aime également ma famille et surtout mes enfants. Si je ne rentre pas au pays s'est justement pour ne pas avoir a me retrouver entourer d'hommes armés même si ils sont là pour la protection de la population et des touristes
Des agents de sécurité touristique armés seront déployés sur toutes les plages tunisiennes
Je ne pourrais pas me décontracté et être oisif comme on devrait l'être pendant ces congés annuels bien mérité après une année de travail bien chargé.
oui je le comprend très bien pas de soucis moi où je suis je ne vais pas dans les zones touristiques ne fréquente pas de français sur place le ressentis des touristes je ne l'ai pas sur le sujet je ne peux qu'imaginer . En tout cas bon séjour à votre famille où que vous alliez et que vous soyez sereine pour les vacances.
😊 Bon ! O.K ! j'ai compris ! je vais voir........ailleurs ! si le "ciel est plus bleu et l'herbe plus verte" !! sans la douce musique du sifflement des balles !!......Vous l'avez compris : "je ne suis point courageuse" !
."Qui a l'habitude de voyager... sait qu'il arrive toujours un moment où il faut partir."(Paolo Coelho)
S'est tout a fait cela... vous avez tout compris.... je ne suis pas courageuse et je suis une grande peureuse.... Mais c'est surement que si j'avais moi aussi une arme sur moi pour me défendre je serais plus sereine si au cas ou je devais être confronté a ce genre d'agression mais comme on est pas au farwest..... et que j'ai pas envie de servir de cible et qu'en plus de ca je n'ai vraiment pas envie que mes enfants soient "peut-être" confrontés a des situations dans lesquels je serais moi ou mon mari dans l'impossibilité de les protéger je decide donc de voyager ailleurs en espèrant que le ciel soit plus bleu et l'herbe plus verte. j'ai 48 ans et 4 enfants a faire grandir mais peut-être qu'a 70 ans on voit la "vie" autrement...
😉 Tu as bien raison ! A 70 ans ..........on aspire à la sérénité et à la tranquillité !!.....et mon "fric" ira ailleurs qu'en ......Tunisie ! Pour l'instant !!........M'en vais voir du côté des "crops circles" !!😏
."Qui a l'habitude de voyager... sait qu'il arrive toujours un moment où il faut partir."(Paolo Coelho)
Malheureusement je crains que les infidèles ne soient prochainement chassés définitivement d'Afrique du Nord.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Le 30 octobre la Tunisie a connu deux tentatives d'attentat visant le secteur du tourisme, premier pourvoyeur de devises du pays. Avis et témoignages de la…
Sécurité, propreté des stations touristiques, qualité des services hôteliers et promotion sont les quatre priorités du nouveau ministre du tourisme tunisien.…
Ca y est, il y a un nouveau gouvernement et le ministre du Tourisme est une femme! Et quelle femme! Très belle, charmante et un bagage top! Avec plus de 300…
Selon le syndicat des agences de voyage en France, les réservations pour la Tunisie sont en baisse de 60% depuis l'attentat du Bardo."Le tourisme a été atteint…
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If you're planning your trips for 2026, Bruno Maltor's latest video should catch your interest. The travel tips YouTuber lists about ten destinations that could seriously complicate your stay this year.
What to expect in 2026
Without giving everything away, here are a few hints about what might ruin your trip:
- Major construction projects turning some cities into work zones (Olympics, infrastructure, etc.)
- Iconic sites under scaffolding – yes, even world-famous landmarks
- Major sporting events causing prices to skyrocket and accommodations to fill up
- Formerly affordable destinations now priced out of reach
- New tourist restrictions in cities that can’t handle any more visitors
- Concerning health or logistical situations in certain countries
10 destinations scrutinized
Bruno Maltor breaks down the cases of Los Angeles, Athens, Barcelona, Hallstatt, Vancouver, Cuba, Argentina, Kyoto, the Canary Islands, and Cairo in his video. For each, he explains exactly what the issues are and whether they’re temporary or structural.
Watch the full video.
Dear community members,
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VoyageForum celebrates its 1-year reopening with MyAtlas!
Thanks for this amazing year—you’ve come back with unforgettable travel stories shared on VoyageForum, swapped tips, and dreamed up new adventures... What if now’s the time to bring them to life in a different way?
To celebrate this first milestone, MyAtlas and VoyageForum, still united, are offering you a sweet discount on your photo book.
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The end of a golden age
For years, travel forums embodied the spirit of mutual aid on the web. Travelers generously shared their experiences, tips, and secret spots. This collective generosity seemed endless. But behind this altruistic facade lay a more complex reality.
The silent infiltration of forums
Free travel forums have gradually become marketing hunting grounds. Under the guise of "experienced travelers," professionals in tourism, affiliates seeking commissions, or aspiring influencers testing monetization strategies now lurk.
These fake profiles master the community’s codes. They build credibility by answering dozens of basic questions before subtly slipping in their paid recommendations. A "favorite" hotel mentioned insistently, an "essential" guidebook systematically cited, an "extraordinary" local agency that keeps coming up in conversations.
New travelers can no longer tell the difference between selfless advice and disguised promotion. This informational pollution has gradually eroded the trust that gave these platforms their value.
The rise of paid Travel Planners
Faced with this decline, a new profession has emerged: the independent Travel Planner. These professionals fully embrace their commercial status and charge for personalized advice.
The model is transparent: you pay for real expertise, tailor-made itineraries, and guaranteed availability. Some offer packages for 150-300 € to plan a two-week trip entirely. Others charge by the hour.
This professionalization marks a turning point. Travel advice is leaving the realm of volunteerism and entering the world of paid services. Paradoxically, this acknowledged monetization can restore a form of trust: you know what you’re paying for.
The irruption of artificial intelligence
But now, a third option is emerging: generative AI. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others can now generate travel itineraries in seconds, for free, with no commercial agenda.
AI promises neutral, synthetic, endlessly customizable information. It compiles thousands of sources in real time, suggests alternatives, and adapts recommendations to your budget and time constraints. It doesn’t sell anything, earns no commissions, and has no hotels to promote.
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The forgotten alternative: authentic local experts
In this landscape saturated with dubious information, imperfect AI, and monetized services, one often-overlooked option remains: consulting real local professionals.
Not the agencies at the top of Google’s first page—often the most expensive and generic. But small local businesses, independent guides established for years, still-free municipal tourism offices, and cultural associations organizing themed tours.
These players offer what neither AI nor forums can: embodied, up-to-date, contextualized knowledge of the area. They know the newly opened restaurant, the museum temporarily closed for renovations, the impromptu weekend festival, or the alternative route to avoid construction.
Finding them takes extra effort. You have to search in the local language, look beyond the first page of results, check regional institutional websites, and join community Facebook groups. But this approach is often rewarded with free or low-cost advice of unmatched precision.
Toward an ecology of travel advice
The future of travel advice likely won’t be binary but hybrid. AI can rough out itineraries, propose logistical options, and compare alternatives. Travel Planners can refine, personalize, and reassure anxious travelers. Local experts can enrich, correct, and ground advice in on-the-ground reality.
But for this ecosystem to work, we’ll need to develop new discernment. Learn to spot fake profiles on forums. Systematically verify AI suggestions. Assess the real value of a Travel Planner before paying. And, above all, rediscover the habit of contacting those who live there directly.
Travel has always been a school of discernment. It teaches us to distinguish the authentic from the fake, sincere advice from commercial manipulation. In the digital age, this skill becomes more crucial than ever.
Because ultimately, the real question isn’t which information source to prioritize, but how to cultivate our own ability to evaluate, cross-check, and ultimately make informed choices. The best travel guide may still be our critical thinking.
Travel is, above all, a story of encounters.
Those that inspire us, guide us, and make us dream.
That’s why we’re happy to announce a partnership between Petit Futé and VoyageForum, two worlds that share the same passion: travel experienced and recounted by those who truly set off.
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Thanks to all of you who keep this wonderful community alive, day after day.
Because travel is even more beautiful when it’s shared
You’ve explored the world, captured landscapes, and lived unique moments…
What if now was the perfect time to bring them to life on paper?
With the discount offered by MyAtlas for 1 month, turn your best memories into a real printed travel journal—something to flip through, share, and cherish.
Holding a real photo book in your hands is so different from scrolling through files on a hard drive. It’s something to treasure and share with loved ones over a nice slice of cake. A tangible way to keep your travel memories alive.
PROMO CODE: PROMOVF15
Discount: 15%
Valid until: November 13, 2025!
One use per person
Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer—if you’ve got travel photos waiting to be printed, now’s the time to go for it!
I’ve kept quiet about them... to preserve them.
Those are the words of a passionate traveler who recently wrote to us.
For years, he’s been discovering rare, authentic places... and chooses to say nothing.
Out of respect. Out of fear of destruction. Out of love for secrecy.
What would you do?
You stumble upon a magical spot, still untouched by mass tourism.
Do you keep it to yourself... or do you open the door, gently, to other travelers?
At DIRECTRAVEL, we’re asking ourselves these questions.
Can sharing be an act of passing something on?
Or is it always the beginning of the end for these preserved places?
Read the article here.
We’ve got a little game for you (okay, it’s not a walk in the park—you’ll have to do some digging!) with DirecTravel: the prize is 5 nights for one person at the Nilaya Experience guesthouse, right in the heart of Kerala, India.
The stay is worth 700 €. It’s set in a magical spot among the rice fields, offering a relaxing and 100% authentic getaway, far from the noise, hosted by Raghu and Véronique.
How to enter is simple:
1- Head over to directravel.org.
2- Browse the site to find the answers to the 10 contest questions. Click here for the questions.
Each question includes a clue to guide you to the right page.
3- Answer all 10 questions correctly to validate your entry.
Contest Rules
The game is free and with no purchase necessary.
A random draw will be held on September 19, 2025, among all correct entries.
The winner will be contacted directly by DIRECTRAVEL.
The prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and valid based on the accommodation’s availability.
What if your travel memories had a place in a real journal? 🌍
Back-to-school season is when we get back into our routines, but it’s also when we look back on the great memories from summer. We often promise ourselves we’ll organize our photos, jot down our stories… and then life gets busy. Those memories slowly fade, stuck in our phones...
Travel journals from MyAtlas are here to change that. They let you gather your stories, your images, and your emotions in a beautiful keepsake you can hold onto and share. It’s like a personal diary, but illustrated by your travels.
Creating your journal also extends the travel experience: reliving your photos, rediscovering details you’d forgotten, and bringing those moments back to life.
Use the code BIENVENUE10 for 10% off your first album ;)
A new step for visitors starting September 2025
Laos is modernizing its border entry procedures. From September 1, 2025, the Laos Immigration Police Department will pilot a new online arrival registration system for foreign passport holders.
This new procedure is similar to Thailand’s recent switch to a digital arrival card system (introduced in May 2025). Just like in Thailand, travelers heading to Laos will still need a valid visa—either an e-visa obtained online in advance or a visa on arrival (VOA) at eligible checkpoints—but they can now skip the paper immigration forms at the border.
TikTok is currently experimenting with a hotel booking feature directly integrated into its app, in partnership with a well-known specialized platform. American users can now search for and book accommodations without leaving TikTok. Meanwhile, content creators with over 1,000 followers can promote hotels and restaurants in the U.S. and earn commissions or vouchers for bookings. This test, limited to the U.S. market for now, aligns with the trend of social commerce. There’s no doubt this initiative will be closely watched by major players in the online travel industry.
Originally planned for an official opening on July 3, 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which has already been partially open since autumn 2024, has had its official inauguration pushed back to the end of the year. This decision, made due to growing tensions in the Middle East, was motivated by the desire to give the event the international dimension it deserves.
Spanning 500,000 m²—larger than the Louvre (which has 360,000 m² of total space, including 73,000 m² of exhibition areas)—the museum will house up to 100,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of Tutankhamun and a monumental statue of Ramses II.
It can already welcome 4,000 visitors per day with limited access, with a future capacity estimated at 13,000 per day once fully open.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of François Boucher, the founder of VoyageForum.
We will remember his passion for travel, but most of all, the pride he took in this forum, which has become indispensable among travelers. While there may have been heated debates, we ask that you show respect for him.
François was still very active on the forum, especially in the technical development section. VoyageForum was his life’s work. He worked passionately to update the site and make up for the 4 years of closure due to the pandemic.
Today, VoyageForum has also lost its developer.
That’s why we’re reaching out to this community to continue François’s legacy. If there are any former or current developers among you who know PERL and would be willing to help, your support would be greatly appreciated.
According to a recent study, Bangkok ranks first among the top 100 global destinations for remote workers in 2025. The Thai capital stands out for its excellent value for money, solid infrastructure, and high satisfaction levels among digital nomads.
Dubai, London, Tokyo, and Nakhon Ratchasima (in Thailand) complete the top 5, each catering to different priorities (safety, connectivity, cultural vibrancy). The study also highlights the cost-of-living gaps between cities: from Weligama (Sri Lanka), very affordable, to New York, the most expensive.
Social media engagement and visitor return rates are also becoming key indicators for assessing a destination’s appeal to nomads.
We’re thrilled to share an exclusive offer from our partner Subocea for August:
80 € per person per day to board a private luxury boat in Egypt with friends, family, or colleagues!
The offer includes everything on-site (accommodation, meals, activities, etc.), except for the flight.
Onboard, snorkel with turtles!
A unique opportunity to experience an unforgettable adventure in an exceptional setting while meeting other community members.
Hurry: only 26 spots available! 😉
Departure is imminent—a great chance to escape and reconnect.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to pack your bags, here it is!
Interested? Contact us quickly to book or get more info!
You’ve probably noticed it: the real travel gems no longer show up in search results. In today’s all-digital age, those local operators, small authentic accommodations, passionate guides, and committed local initiatives remain invisible. No flashy website, no ads, often not even an online presence.
Yet they exist—people who take care of their land, their culture, their community. Hidden in valleys, villages, forests. These are the ones who truly give meaning to travel, the kind you only discover through word of mouth... or among savvy travelers.
A collaborative project is starting to patiently catalog them, one by one. It’s called DirecTravel. Not very well-known yet—it’s just getting started—but already shared among independent travel enthusiasts. Here, no standardization or flashy interface: every address has been discovered on the ground, the old-fashioned way. Some have even been recognized by the Sustainable Travel Awards.
Their approach? Taking the time to listen, build connections, and support local initiatives that will never appear on Google’s first page.
If you’re looking for something beyond the usual recommendations, and if the idea of sharing genuine tips speaks to you, then this project might interest you. And maybe you, too, have a gem to share with them.
Travel bookings to the United States are seeing a significant drop in France for summer 2025, with over a 30% decrease in the spring and around -11% for summer departures.
Several reasons explain this disengagement:
an unfavorable exchange rate at the start of the year,
very high prices on the ground (accommodation, dining),
negative experiences with immigration,
as well as a political and social context perceived as off-putting (civil rights, safety, tense social climate).
Tourism professionals also note difficulties for Florida and some Southern states, while destinations like New York and Orlando are faring better.
The recent drop in the dollar and airfares could, however, encourage last-minute departures, and tourism stakeholders are betting on a gradual recovery starting this autumn, with major events planned for 2026 like the World Cup or the 250th anniversary of the United States.
This summer, your memories deserve more than just a corner of film!
For the summer season, our partner MyAtlas is offering you an exclusive deal: 10% off all travel journals to print with the code ETEVF25 😛
Perfect for preserving your photos, anecdotes, itineraries, and highlights, the MyAtlas journal turns every trip into a real keepsake book—personalized and ready to flip through anytime.
Whether you're off on an adventure or exploring just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to capture the essence of your getaways and relive them again and again.
Don’t let your best stories gather dust in your phone: print them, share them, and above all, treasure them 😉
This forum was closed for a long time after COVID, then due to its sale by the previous owner. Since 2022, there have been notable changes for Russia. It became possible to travel to Russia as a tourist again after COVID restrictions ended in summer 2022. But before that, in March 2022, the EU and member countries cut air links with Russia, as well as train lines. They also cut Russian banks off from the Euro-American banking network—meaning cards and wire transfers.
EU-based insurers stopped offering policies for Russia.
The Green Card for cars in Russia was also discontinued.
Then the EU abolished the simplified visa regime agreement with Russia.
All in all, a summary of the current practical aspects would be helpful.
I’ve been traveling to Russia regularly for about twenty years, and after the long COVID break, I resumed in autumn 2022.
Visa
The usual paper visa is much more expensive. On one hand, because the previous regime was scrapped, and on the other, because invitations for multi-entry visas are pricier. A single-entry 30-day visa costs 80 €. The multi-entry one is 240 €. To be sure you’ll get a 12-month multi-entry, it’s best to buy a telex invitation from the MID (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), though there are few resellers. Prices vary depending on the seller.
E-visas are now available for Schengen passport holders. A big simplification for trips up to 16 days within a 60-day validity period. You can apply from 40 days up to 5 days before your desired date. Issued in up to four days. The site is https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ Cost: 50 €. Processed through an Emirati bank (United Arab Emirates).
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance with repatriation is required to get a visa. So you’ll need to buy a policy. This brings up payment methods. If you’re already familiar with Russia and have a Russian bank account, you can pay with your Russian card. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy from a site that accepts payments via a Belarusian bank—which means your bank must work with Belarus—or go through https://goingrus.com/fr/insurance
Transport from the EU
Minibus (marshrutka) from Kirkenes (Norway) to Murmansk. Schedules are coordinated with flights from Oslo, which arrive between 11:00 and 12:00. They wait on the right as you exit the airport. Some are chartered by groups and leave directly, but may have space—ask the driver. Otherwise, two companies run the route, with a stop in town at the corner of the Scandic, where they depart around 14:00 or 15:00. Payment in cash (NOK or RUB) to the driver. Main operator: https://borodinbus.com
Bus from Tallinn (Estonia) to St. Petersburg. The border crossing is on the Narva River. The Russian road checkpoint has been closed since January 2024 for construction expected to last 2.5 years, so reopening is possible in summer 2026. In the meantime, it’s a two-bus journey: Tallinn-Narva, then walk across the bridge between the Estonian and Russian checkpoints at Ivangorod, followed by another bus. Several companies: Luxexpress, Ecolines, Baltic Shuttle, Anniston, СКСавто.
Bus from Riga to Pskov or St. Petersburg (final destination). Departs from Riga’s bus station (behind the train station) daily between 18:00 and 19:00. Arrives in Pskov between 01:00 and 02:00 (Russian time). Company: СКСавто. There’s another bus around 21:00 with Ecolines, but it’s longer, with a long stop at the border.
Bus from Gdańsk to Kaliningrad. Several buses per day. From the PKS bus station, behind Gdańsk’s central station, on the other side of the boulevard. From Kaliningrad, a 1-hour flight to St. Petersburg costs around 5000 RUB.
Basically, unless you’re planning to go to Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula—and possibly from Murmansk, flights to Arkhangelsk, then Nenetsia (Naryan-Mar), etc.—the three main crossing points with airports are Tallinn, Riga, and Gdańsk.
The Gdańsk-Kaliningrad bus is the fastest, and the ticket to St. Petersburg is very reasonable.
The Narva-Ivangorod route is the riskiest in terms of potential queues and crossing time. Holiday periods are especially risky. Last mid-June, I took a 14:00 bus from Tallinn. I’d bought a single-berth compartment on the Grand Express St. Petersburg-Moscow train, leaving at 23:00, with the idea of a good night’s rest before a Moscow-Magadan flight. A 7-hour queue at the border meant I arrived at St. Petersburg’s bus station at 23:00—missed the train, had to book a room, and spent time finding a reasonably priced flight to Moscow the next day for the same airport as my Magadan flight.
The Riga-Pskov route is a bit long but relaxed. If you get off in Pskov, you can still get decent sleep between 02:00 and 12:00. The Oktyabrskaya Hotel is cheap. I’ve also stopped in Izborsk. You ask the driver when boarding in Riga. The stop is on the federal highway—cross the road, and the main inn is 200m away. You can explore the medieval site the next morning before taking a bus to Pskov (30 km).
From Pskov, there are fast regional Lastochka trains—three or four per day—to St. Petersburg, taking 3.5 hours. Very comfortable and affordable.
Also, two daily flights with Azimuth to Moscow-Vnukovo from 5000 RUB. A one-hour flight. It’s a section of Pskov’s military airfield, just a few kilometers from the city center.
Money
Cash. The EU issued a nonsensical decree: a ban on importing EU currency (euros, zloty, kroner, forints, etc.) except for personal travel use. This doesn’t make sense because as a citizen of a eurozone country, you *have* to have euros—cash or electronic (card). You can’t travel without them. The stipulation about a limit for personal use is absurd because personal use can mean anything from a hostel bed to a luxury hotel room, plus transport (flight tickets, train tickets in Russia), restaurants, etc. Estonian customs officers ask about this at the border when leaving. They ask in Estonian, then Russian, then English, depending. Since I cross with a French passport, I just say, "Sorry, I don’t understand," no matter what. Then they ask with a questioning look, "Euro?" and I shake my head. I haven’t been searched, but they do ask to glance in your bag. Russians with large suitcases often get checked.
Cards and phone apps: if you have a Russian bank account.
Telephony and Internet
Roaming works but is pricey. Okay for calls and SMS, but very expensive for data. In that case, use an e-SIM with your home carrier if your phone supports it. Otherwise, look into prepaid rechargeable SIMs in Russia for data only—like SIM cards for mobile modems.
Russian SIM: Since this year (2025), as of March, it’s mandatory to be registered in the EBS (Unified Biometric System) to buy a SIM card. For a non-resident foreigner, this means first registering for a SNILS at an MFC (Multifunctional Center)—also called "My Documents." The SNILS is the pension center, which doesn’t require residency. After getting your SNILS number and certificate, you register on the public services portal, Gosuslugi. Finally, you register in the EBS system (voice sample—you read numbers—and a biometric facial photo).
Personal Car
The Green Card no longer covers Russia, and neither do EU-based insurers. But third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) is mandatory. Since the closure of the Russian checkpoint at Ivangorod for construction and the Finnish border closure, the routes are from Kirkenes in Norway, the Estonia-Pskov route, and—since the Belarus-Russia joint visa this year—the Belarus route, e.g., Poland-Terespol-Brest or Lithuania-Belarus.
No OSAGO sales if you cross via Kirkenes. I didn’t see any at Shumilkino, the Russian checkpoint after Estonia toward Pskov. If you have a Russian card, you can buy online, of course. Otherwise, pay in cash on-site at certain company offices (specific forms aren’t available at all agencies) or online by paying to a third-party account outside Russia—with added fees.
Spotlight on the "What A Trip Festival" in Montpellier
From September 22 to 28, 2025, head to Montpellier for the What A Trip Festival, the must-attend event for travel and adventure in images 😉
This event draws around 40,000 passionate visitors who come to (re)discover the world through documentary film screenings, followed by meet-ups, conferences, and workshops.
The "travel village" hosts a dedicated fair: exhibitor booths, a travel bookstore, photo exhibitions, food trucks, and free concerts set the pace.
The "Les rencontres voyageurs" booth will be there to offer you: a friendly atmosphere, conferences, masterclasses, fun games, and even interviews!
From December 9th to 12th, experience a winter getaway in the heart of the Czech capital, under the magical lights of the Christmas markets.
Enjoy an all-inclusive stay, blending cultural discoveries and festive holiday vibes with Hasamélis & MyAtlas.
Explore Prague’s treasures: Old Town Square, the castle, and the Town Hall Tower for breathtaking views…
This guided tour also takes you to exclusive, privately booked venues: Strahov Monastery, Estates Theatre, Municipal House… A rich cultural program in a cozy, festive atmosphere.
Calling all adventure and off-road enthusiasts: the must-attend event of the year is just around the corner!
From August 26 to 30 in Valloire, don’t miss THE OFF-ROAD SHOW, the premier event dedicated to expeditions, overlanding, and motorized exploration.
4x4s, trucks, motorcycles, SSVs, gear, travel, test drives, meet-ups... Over 180 exhibitors and the 4th edition of the Rencontres Voyageurs, a 1,000 m² space hosted by Campers Lab and MyAtlas.
On the program: Activities, talks, interviews, masterclasses...
One motto: get inspired, connect, explore... in the heart of the Alps.
At the Seto forum (Association of Travel Agents), it was highlighted that, despite an uncertain geopolitical context, summer bookings are showing a slight increase (+1.4% overall as of the end of April), with +1.6% on medium-haul and +0.6% on long-haul flights. This growth is supported by an expected revenue increase of +2.9% and an average basket rise of +3.2%.
In terms of destinations, the Greek islands remain at the top despite a slight decline of -1%, the Balearic Islands are gaining ground (+2%), and Tunisia stands out with strong growth (+13%) thanks to its excellent value for money. For long-haul, Mauritius continues to dominate (+9%), while the United States is experiencing a downturn (-14%), behind Indonesia (-6%) and ahead of the Dominican Republic (+4%). Finally, French Polynesia (+16%) and Vietnam (+41%) are emerging as booming destinations.
"Les rencontres voyageurs" is a must-attend event for all travel enthusiasts, at the heart of France’s most beautiful gatherings.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a beginner looking for your first adventures, these meet-ups aim to bring people together, inspire, and share knowledge.
They offer a unique opportunity to chat with inspiring travelers, discover their authentic stories, their favorite spots around the world, and their practical tips for traveling peacefully and enrichingly 😉
"Les rencontres voyageurs" also feature conferences and masterclasses led by industry experts, covering a variety of topics such as responsible travel, content creation, and optimizing itineraries.
These sessions, both practical and inspiring, are designed to expand your knowledge and fuel your projects. On top of that, there are fun and educational activities, including the famous traveler quiz, encouraging exchanges and conviviality. Finally, visitors can explore an exhibition of travel vehicles, vans, 4x4s, nomadic equipment, and chat with professionals about van conversions, mobility, and innovations dedicated to vanlife.
A complete, immersive experience that’s all about discovery.
VoyageForum needs you more than ever! To continue making it the biggest space for exchange, inspiration, and sharing, we want to better understand your desires and expectations.
Take a few moments to answer our survey and let’s build the future of VoyageForum together!
Big traveler survey! We want to know everything! 🌍
Dreaming of your next trip already? So are we, but to better understand the desires and habits of French travelers, we need your help to later offer the best tips, good deals, trips, and more.
It’s a short form (promise, it only takes a few minutes).
And... there might just be a 50 € gift voucher up for grabs for one of the participants. Just like that, to thank you for taking part✨
Just click on this link: https://tally.so/r/mRrj6J and check the box based on your travel preferences 🧳✈️
Thanks in advance for lending a hand!
The cruise sector has seen a remarkable rebound since the pandemic, with 2024 attendance 20% higher than in 2019—outpacing air traffic growth, which was limited to 10%.
This performance is driven by an early recovery in the U.S. starting in 2021, competitive pricing, and enhanced onboard offerings. Cruise companies have invested in innovation, with a notable increase in patents related to passenger health (14%) and onboard services (50%).
These efforts have attracted a younger clientele, with millennials now making up 34% of passengers. This recovery model could inspire the airline industry to accelerate its own rebound.