More than 20,000 professionals in the open-air hospitality and outdoor tourism industries gathered together from 4 to 6 November for the 2025 edition of trade show Salon SETT.
This represented an 8.7 per cent increase in attendance for the show compared to the 2024 edition, reaffirming its importance to the European industry.
Around 13 per cent of the attendees were from overseas, which represents an impressive 41.3 per cent increase in international visitors.
Those visitors who came from France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Portugal witnessed more than 700 exhibitors covering 60,000 square metres of Les Parc des Expositions Montpellier in southern France.
“This growth reflects both the vitality of the sector and SETT’s ability to unite European stakeholders around shared priorities — ecological transition, attractiveness, and innovation,” said Philippe Robert, President of the Fédération de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air Occitanie, the organiser of the event.
Part of the reason behind the success of this year’s event, according to organisers, is the broadening of the audience of SETT, which has traditionally only been focused on outdoor hospitality. Now it attracts a wider audience from campsite, holiday cottage and guesthouse managers to café, hotel and restaurant operators, as well as those managing tourist facilities, swimming pools or sports areas, and all professionals involved in developing tourism services and community well-being.
The dates for the 2026 edition of the show have already been set: 3 to 5 November at the same venue in Montpellier.
Celebrating innovation in the sector
Five companies from the open-air hospitality industry have been recognised for their innovation at the annual Sett d’Or Innovation Awards.
The 2025 awards, which are a joint enterprise between the Fédération de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air Occitanie (FHPA-OC) and Decisions magazine, were handed out at a special ceremony during the 46th edition of European tourism and outdoor hospitality trade show Salon SETT.
The 2025 winners were as follows: Syclope Electronique, Alpilink, Carré Rouge, Acquaecologie/Biomicrobics, and Geek Tonic.
Syclope Electronique was recognised for its Lilian system, which can measure pH, free, total, combined, and active chlorine levels in swimming pools with speed and accuracy. It is accompanied by a smartphone app to help you keep a log of such measurements.
Alpilink’s award was given for its Alpi-AI solution, which automates accommodation check-in and check-out inspections via AI. It can automatically identify damages or missing items with ease.
Carré Rouge won a SETT d’Or for its Vijji Project, which is a device that secures electric sockets in campsites and holiday villages, to help monitor and control electric outlet use.
Acquaecologie/Biomicrobics was celebrated for its Eco-Guard product. This modular solution manages the treatment of rainwater, runoff, and pool water in campsites in an efficient and eco-friendly way.
Lastly, Geek Tonic won an award for its all-in-one AI platform called Elaia. This product is designed specifically for campsite managers and features an internal assistant, a customisable chatbot, and a marketing automation system.
Photos: David Guest
