Olivier Dufit has been appointed Deputy Managing Director, working in tandem with Philippe Marguet, Managing Director, and Frédéric Puythorac, Chairman of the Board and a hotelier in Dax.

Previously Director of Marketing, Communications, E-Commerce and CSR for four years, Olivier Dufit's role has been expanded:

• Development: The cooperative has set itself ambitious recruitment targets to develop its network. Alexandre Naud has joined the cooperative as Development Director, bringing extensive experience of the hotel market and a vast network of investors.
• Network engagement: Jacques Létang and his team will focus on improving interactions within the network and strengthening relationships with the cooperative's hoteliers. They will provide ongoing support to improve business performance and meet hoteliers' expectations.
• Quality assurance: Ensuring high quality standards is a key strategic objective. Quality policies will be closely monitored and continuously improved under the leadership of Bettina Tegeder. She will also head up The Originals Academy, the cooperative's training institution.
• Olivier Dufit will continue to oversee the CSR initiatives led by Jérôme Andriot and the Marketing & E-commerce team, now under the direction of Blandine Schraen, who joined the organization nine months ago.

These changes are designed to strengthen the position of The Originals Hotels cooperative in the French hotel market, positioning it as a compelling alternative to franchise networks. The cooperative aspires to be a unifying brand deeply rooted in contemporary values, offering strong multi-channel distribution and a comprehensive range of services for hoteliers.

Olivier Dufit, 58, holds two master's degrees in history and political science. He brings a wealth of experience, having worked both as an employee for 15 years in marketing agencies and as an entrepreneur for around ten years, notably in consultancy firms and in setting up and running an agency. In 2020, he carried out several consultancy assignments for The Originals Hotels before officially joining the cooperative in January 2021 as an employee in the Marketing and E-Commerce department.