The 2026 edition of French outdoor hospitality show Salon Atlantica closed with a final attendance of 6,750 visitors over its three-day duration from 6 to 8 October. That figure is around 8 per cent down on the previous year.
The regions of Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charentes accounted for more than 60 per cent of attendance, while Aquitaine and Brittany each represented approximately 18 per cent of visitors.
Taking place at the Niort Exhibition Centre, with which organisers had just agreed a three-year hosting agreement, Salon Atlantica also hosted 485 exhibitors, and this year was defined by several key highlights including the outdoor hospitality (HPA) season review, discussions focused on small campsites, and AI Cafés.
These features, plus the first-ever edition of the Sustainable Innovation Workshops, helped Salon Atlantica become a platform for the outdoor hospitality and open-air tourism industries to come together and address the challenges and developments facing the sector.
The theme of water management was also central to the event, with the presentation of the Innov’ & Water Awards, which recognised Ozoneo, Ecoludik, and Apa Lagi International & Micro BE for their innovative solutions in sustainable water resource management.
As part of this commitment, FDHPA17, Eau17, and Charentes Tourisme formalised a partnership aimed at improving water conservation through the launch of the ACD’Eau17 project. Audits will be carried out in 90 campsites along the Charente-Maritime coastline during spring 2027 to identify potential savings and support better water consumption management.
During the show’s gala evening, organisers FDHPA17 presented a cheque for €2,500 to each of the outdoor hospitality federations of Landes and Gironde, in support of professionals affected by the wildfires that occurred during the summer.
Beyond the outdoor hospitality sector, Atlantica also seeks to build bridges with related industries by involving partners such as the UMIH federations of Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime.
Next year will be Salon Atlantica’s 30th edition and will take place in Niort from 12 to 14 October – FDHPA17 has already stated that it intends to celebrate this milestone in a significant way.
Photo: Salon Atlantica
