"
We were not even quoted (during
the presidential address
, Editor's note)
", exasperated Laurent Duc, head of the hotel branch of the Union of trades and hospitality industries (UMIH) and owner from a hotel in Villeurbanne (Lyon).
Emmanuel Macron indeed announced on Tuesday a relaxation "
in three stages
" of health measures, without a word for the hotel sector.
Laurent Duc despairs of seeing the occupancy rate of his establishment not exceed 10% since the start of the crisis and his handful of customers wandering the corridors, when they are not locked in their rooms.
Read also: Covid-19: do small businesses really represent a health risk?
The observation is the same for all the players in the sector.
The authorization to operate hotels, since the start of the pandemic, - unlike restaurants which are subject to administrative closure - deprives the sector of aid.
However, health measures have led to a disguised closure according to Laurent Duc, since "
50% of hotels in France have closed their doors on their own initiative
" for lack of customers.
“
There is an ambiguity.
We are administratively open but we are completely empty,
”approves Delphine Prigent, vice-president of hotels Paris 1 to 4 stars of the national group of independent hotels and restaurants (GNI).
And the reopening of shops - scheduled for November 28 - does not bode well for the sector.
“
As long as there are no bars, cafes and restaurants, it will be very difficult to attract customers.
The president did not speak of tourism or a reopening of borders,
”recalls Delphine Prigent.
And even within the establishments, it is difficult to attract customers.
“
Our spas are considered
sports halls
and are therefore closed.
At least let the hotels feed their customers
”, pleads Laurent Duc.
“
Without restaurants nearby, the situation will remain nightmarish.
What's the point of shopping in Paris and having, at best, a sandwich and a drink in your room?
», Approved Didier Chenet, president of the GNI.
He is not asking for "
a hasty reopening of restaurants
".
The government announcements are “
wise decisions based on the health crisis.
But since hotels are the collateral victims of the elimination of sporting and cultural events, teleworking and the closure of restaurants, we must now work on aid,
”continues the president.
“
We are in discussions with Bruno Le Maire and are working on compensation for hotels similar to those for restaurants, ie based on loss of turnover.
I am hopeful that this will be announced this Thursday by the Prime Minister,
”says Didier Chenet.
Contacted by
Le Figaro
, Bercy has not yet confirmed this information.
The uncertainty of the mountain
As the end-of-year holidays approach, the vagueness reigns even more over the hotels in the ski resorts.
"It seems to me impossible to envisage an opening of the ski resorts for the end of year celebrations
," Emmanuel Macron explained on Tuesday.
The Head of State considers it "
preferable
" to consider reopening them in January.
The announcement sounded like a “
chopper
” for François Gauthier, GNI hotel representative in charge of the “
mountain file
” and manager of a hotel in Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie).
At the start of the week, again, "
the time was up for preparations for the season,
" regrets the professional.
“
This announcement effect is disastrous.
We had an already sparse order book with a filling rate of our mountain establishments of 30% to 80%, depending on the level of range.
Since the speech, everyone has understood a total shutdown of ski resorts.
We have almost 100% cancellation for Christmas and New Year's Day,
”deplores François Gauthier.
He too pleads for a "
" real "administrative closure
" to allow financial support.
Outside the mountains, the luxury hospitality sector is not declining.
“
The palaces will wait a long time to reopen.
50% of the 5-star clientele are foreign
, ”explains Laurent Duc.
“
We have between 0 and 3% occupancy rate against 80% in other years,
” says Emmanuel Sauvage, co-president of the prestige branch of the GNI Paris Ile de France.
Read also: Winter sports: the resorts fear a catastrophic season
These figures have consequences for the French positioning on the luxury hotel market. “
We are falling behind. Wealthy clients especially go to Dubai for the holidays. And in addition, the hotel industry goes through all the aids. We are completely forgotten
”, deplores the latter.
