In linguistics, the word seven comes from the Latin septem , its root of which is found in all Indo-European languages. From Tintin to the Bible, and through our calendar rhythm, the number 7 is very present in our daily lives and in our collective imagination. The number 7 represents: the 7 colors of the rainbow spectrum: 6 colors + white, synthesis of the 6 others; the 7 orifices of the head: 2 ears, 2 nostrils, 2 eyes, the mouth; the 7 metals associated with the seal of Solomon: tin, iron, gold, copper, mercury, silver, lead; the 7 hills of Jerusalem and the 7 hills of Rome; the 7 deadly sins: pride, envy, lust, laziness, anger, gluttony; 7 days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I could still continue this list but you would have the impression that I am going astray!

In our news broadcasts and in our ecosystem, the number 7 also corresponds to these years: 2001; 2008: 2015; 2021… Do you see it? Yes, these are the years where the crises that we have lived through for the past 20 years took place. This is not a divinatory theory, in any case, I do not wish to announce here a crisis for 2028! It is nevertheless surprising to note that since the end of the glorious 30s, a serious economic and financial crisis has taken place every 7 years. Expansion, boom, recession, depression, is this the inevitable cycle of the economy? Is our industry condemned to undergo this every seven years?

Personally, I cannot bring myself to do it and prefer to see what has come out of these troubled times.

The crisis has always affected an aspect of the professional travel journey, and every time, our ecosystem has shown all its agility and all its ability to innovate and emerge stronger from the difficulties.

In 2008, the subprime crisis in the United States, shook the world and Europe was not spared. On our scale, it is the means of payment that have made a leap forward. Remember! In 2015, the attacks hit us hard, in the heart of our capital. Companies then developed the fledgling concept of risk management to make it a real policy at the service of employees on the move, with the help of specialized players in the sector. In 2021, the Covid crisis shook up – to put it lightly – our communication habits and forced us to go 100% digital. We have been able to reintroduce face-to-face meetings over the months and they have become extremely valuable as we now know their true value today, but the good fact in digital also brings great richness to our subjects. At CDS as elsewhere, 2022 will be headed towards innovation, “humerical”: human & digital at the same time!

On January 20, 2022, we will start the year with the second edition of the “Grand Live du Voyage d’Affaires”, that brought together the entire profession last year around key subjects of business travel. During this day, we will unveil the barometer of the business hotel industry in partnership with EPSA, we will come back to the issues of teleworking, distribution, TMC, the role of associations as well as the trends dictated by consultants. A great journey ahead! In 2022, we will once again work in close partnership with associations and professionals to analyze current trends and prepare for the rebound of our industry, together.

Spend great end-of-year holidays with your loved ones and log in on January 20, 2022!

Ziad Minkara