The spring break and extended weekends "were a success" for the tourism sector thanks to a calendar effect with four long weekends and favorable weather, according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism. "The exceptional presence of four possibilities of bridges or extended weekends, compared to two last year, had a beneficial effect on the departures of the French and as a consequence a staggering of departures and reservations of nights," according to the statement. "Tourism in France is doing great. It no longer resists, it excels and thus pulls the French economy in a difficult inflationary context for many French, "according to the Minister of Tourism, Olivia Grégoire, quoted in the press release.
Between April 8 and May 8, the Easter holiday period, including the weekends of May 1 and 8, there is an increase of nearly 15% compared to 2022 in overnight stays made in France by French residents to reach 103.6 million, according to the National Federation of Institutional Tourism Organizations, ADN Tourisme, quoted in the press release. The preferred destinations are mainly in Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal areas (Charente-Maritime, Var, Vendée, Hérault or Morbihan) as well as Paris.
The Ascension weekend recorded a 9% drop in the number of overnight stays (French and international tourists combined) which is partly explained by the fact that in 2022 there were two extended weekends compared to four in 2023, the Ascension weekend had then concentrated more departures. For the Whitsun weekend, French attendance was almost stable (+1%) and reached 14.3 million tourist nights. Foreign attendance is down sharply (-2%).
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The big winner of the month of May is the outdoor hotel (campsites) with a 20% increase in the number of overnight stays between 1 and 28 May. Domestic attendance is up 15%, the sector "has seen a very good international attendance driven in particular by Belgians and Germans," according to the statement. "The French confirm their expectations in terms of leisure while subscribing to the 3 Rs rule (break, reunion, rejuvenation), so many positive signs that augur a promising summer on all our destinations (...) The off-season should benefit this year from the arrival of international travelers on the occasion of the Rugby World Cup which will start on September 8, "according to Caroline Leboucher, CEO of Atout France quoted in the press release.