Transcript of the interview with Jérôme Canaux, our Commercial Director.
At Voyages C. Mathez, we develop three major complementary activities:
Business Travel, which today accounts for 60% of our activity. We support nearly 100 companies in managing their business travel.
Event management (or MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), which generates approximately 30% of our revenue.
Cruise receptive services, our historical activity, which today represents approximately 10% of our operations thanks to partnerships with four major American cruise lines.
In 2024, our overall business volume reached €30 million, a goal achieved despite a complicated context, between the Olympic Games and an unstable political situation.
Growth driven by customer satisfaction
Over the years, we have diversified by developing our expertise in MICE and business travel. Our growth is largely based on our network and the loyalty of our long-standing clients, some generating several million euros in business volume each year.
A journey focused on customer relations
Having joined two years ago as Commercial Director, Jérôme Canaux’s mission is to support this growth. After starting his career in Business Travel, he chose to join the family adventure at Voyages C. Mathez. His path, enriched by a foray into a completely different sector (directing a bakery laboratory during the Covid crisis), allowed him to take a step back on client expectations and needs.
“In the corporate travel sector, certain internal issues sometimes become disproportionate. The client simply expects a smooth service and clear solutions. This return to fundamentals guides our commercial approach.”
A revamped website for greater visibility
Recognized by industry professionals, we now aim to gain visibility with a wider audience. It was with this in mind that a complete website redesign was undertaken. This new tool showcases our expertise in event management and business travel, while eventually making room for a section dedicated to our cruise receptive activity.
"The site will soon evolve with the integration of our Cytric online booking tool Cytric (Amadeus) and a client chat, to facilitate communication with our teams."
A positioning tailored to mid-market needs
Our core target? Mid-market companies (ETI) and SMEs, with annual spending volumes ranging from €50,000 to several million. Thanks to an experienced team composed of profiles from major TMCs (Travel Management Companies), we are able to effectively support our clients, even on large accounts.
The technological challenge of European rail
For 2025, one of the major challenges of business travel concerns the development of technology solutions adapted to European rail. Demand from companies is strong, but supply remains limited, with few efficient and accessible solutions. A tool capable of easily covering routes between France, the UK, the Benelux, Germany, Italy, and Spain would address 70% of this demand.
“Today, booking a train ticket in Europe remains much more complex than booking a flight. Yet it is a strong expectation of our clients, which also aligns with their CSR objectives.”
CSR, a sustainable commitment
While Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) may not necessarily appear as an immediate priority for travel managers, it remains an important selection criterion. Certified Travelife since 2019, we integrate this commitment into our internal organization, our supplier relationships, and our commercial offering.
A stable and adapted economic model
Unlike some players in the sector, Voyages C. Mathez has invested in cutting-edge technology while maintaining impeccable customer service.
“We stand by this choice because it aligns with the service quality we want to offer. We prefer to decline certain public or private tenders rather than engage in a price war incompatible with our service standards.”
MICE in full transformation
In event management, 2024 was a contrasting year. After a good start to 2025, demand remains irregular, with a trend toward shorter booking lead times. However, we remain confident as the market continues to evolve.
We observe a consolidation of the sector and a rise of technology tools facilitating event organization. This evolution encourages us to rethink our processes to gain responsiveness and retain our clients.
Ambitious prospects for 2025
For 2025, our ambition is clear: to continue our development while remaining close to our clients.
We will strengthen our MICE activity with an active phase of acquiring new accounts.
We will reposition our cruise offering, highlighting our historical expertise, acquired over more than 60 years in this field.
With an experienced team, an agile family structure, and a constant desire to innovate while preserving our values, Voyages C. Mathez approaches the future with confidence and ambition.