The SETT trade show will present 58 innovations from 57 companies across seven countries at the 2026 Sett d’Or Innovation Awards, highlighting developments in technology, sustainability, accommodations, and guest experiences for the outdoor hospitality sector. The event will take place November 3-5 at the Montpellier Exhibition Center in Pérols, France.
The 2026 competition includes entries from France, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, China, and India. The international participation reflects the expanding reach of SETT, the European trade show for tourism trends, as it attracts more businesses and professionals from outside France.
At its previous edition, SETT welcomed 20,215 professional visitors, an increase of 8.7% from the preceding year. International attendees increased by 41.3% and accounted for 13% of total visitors, with delegations coming from countries including Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal.
Organized by the Outdoor Hospitality Federation of Occitanie and five partner French regional federations, SETT serves businesses in camping, holiday parks, catering, and community leisure spaces. The 2026 edition will also advance the show’s broader positioning under the new Sett Hospitality brand, reflecting its expanded focus on the convergence of outdoor accommodations and the hospitality and catering sectors.
The nominated innovations cover several areas relevant to campground, RV resort, holiday park, and glamping operators. Technology-focused entries include connected electronic locks using LoRaWAN networks, artificial intelligence-powered virtual receptionists available around the clock, automated revenue management systems, and high-speed catering equipment.
These technologies address operational priorities such as managing guest arrivals, staffing demands, booking channels, and pricing. For operators evaluating new systems, the potential business value will depend on factors including implementation costs, compatibility with existing property management software, reliability, and the extent to which automation can improve service without creating additional complexity.
Water management and environmental performance also feature prominently among the nominees. Solutions include compact on-site wastewater recycling systems, drone-assisted maintenance designed to reduce water and chemical use, self-sufficient utility modules, and solar-powered structures made from solid wood.
For outdoor hospitality businesses, these developments are relevant to properties seeking to manage resource consumption, maintain infrastructure, and limit environmental impacts. Their suitability will vary according to local regulations, site conditions, utility access, and the costs of installation and ongoing maintenance.
Accommodation innovations include safari lodges, elevated insulated canvas suites, and modular units designed to be dismantled without permanent foundations. These options may offer operators additional ways to diversify accommodation inventory while limiting changes to the underlying terrain. However, businesses considering such structures will still need to assess durability, seasonal operating requirements, accessibility, permitting, and the expected return on investment.
Guest amenities are another area represented in the competition. Nominees include interactive water-play systems, multisensory water slides, automated retail facilities, and kiosks offering personalized services. These products address opportunities to develop leisure facilities and generate additional revenue while responding to guest expectations for convenient, engaging experiences.
The 2026 Sett d’Or competition will also introduce a change to its voting process. A specialist jury comprising industry journalists and presidents of professional federations will first assess the entries according to operational usefulness, environmental sustainability, and technical ingenuity. The jury will select 10 finalists.
Managers and professional visitors will then be able to vote through an online platform, with their votes carrying equal weight in the final decision to determine the five award winners. The revised process gives industry professionals a direct role in recognizing products and services they consider relevant to their operations.
The five winning exhibitors will receive Sett d’Or trophies recognizing innovation in services, products, sustainable development, and related areas. The awards are presented in partnership with Décisions HPA magazine.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Room 1 of the Conference Center at the Montpellier Exhibition Center. The full list of nominees is available at https://www.salonsett.com/en/sett-d-or-trophies/sett-d-or-nominees.
For campground and resort owners, the competition provides an opportunity to compare emerging products and assess whether new technologies or accommodation formats could address specific business needs. Evaluating innovations against operating budgets, guest demand, maintenance requirements, and environmental objectives can help businesses distinguish between products that offer practical benefits and those that may not suit their properties.
SETT was founded in 1978 and has developed into a European meeting point for tourism industry professionals. Its 2026 edition will run November 3-5 at the Montpellier Exhibition Center, Route de la Foire, Pérols, France.
Featured image by SETT
