
After 14 years at the helm of European Camping Group, Alain Calmé is handing over the reins to Sébastien Manceau after a transitional phase. We talk to the two directors about the group's challenges and ambitions.
Sébastien Manceau « I joined the group about a year ago. To be precise, in June last year. Although it hasn't been quite a year yet, I'm well acquainted with the group, having worked closely with Alain since October 2020.»
Sébastien, what prompted you to take the plunge and join the customer?
« There were two determining factors: the sector of activity and the customer. I've been working in the tourism industry, more specifically in the open-air hotel sector, for over twelve years now. Back then, campsites were still modest structures with a turnover of between €20 and €30 million. For the record, in 2011 and 2012, I already worked on a project linked to Homair.
So I have a lot of experience in this sector. I also worked extensively with Vacanceselect, which, at the time, had a different name, Village Center.
After that, there were major developments, a lot of things happened. All in all, I have solid experience in this sector, which I have seen evolve over the last twelve years, and I fell in love with it right from the start. It's a sector that, in my opinion, is still at the very beginning of its development, offering many opportunities. Of course, I was doing well at Roland Berger, but there was this one area, camping, that had always fascinated me for the last six years, to be precise.
For my part, I was very familiar with Vacanceselect and ECG. At one point, Alain and I got together to discuss the situation, given our long professional relationship. We felt there was a real opportunity. So I came here because I deeply believe in the future of this sector and in ECG's potential for development. »
Alain, why did you choose Sébastien as an associate to train and support your...
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