While the weekend of August 15, essential for the French tourism sector, has just ended, Patrick Viceriat, president of the French Association of Tourism Experts, made a first assessment of the summer season on Monday morning.
“
The results are generally positive, even very positive in certain regions.
The French stayed in France very massively
”, he welcomed in the morning of Europe 1.
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A positive dynamic that affects all regions except the big cities and in particular Paris, according to him.
The regions that have done well are those near the sea. "
There is a high number of visitors on the coast, in PACA, Occitanie, Aquitaine but also in Brittany
".
Demand is also starting to develop for the mountains and the countryside.
“
The Gîtes de France and the rural inns have worked very well in particular.
"
No impact of the health pass on the hotel industry
Tourism is however mainly driven by the French because foreign tourists are not always there.
At the beginning of August, the Secretary of State for Tourism Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, still hoped to welcome 50 million foreign tourists: “
This year, we hope to welcome 50 million foreign tourists, against 35 million last year, and 90 million in 2019. Summer is therefore a bearer of hope
”.
A goal that will not be achieved according to Patrick Viceriat.
"
We will be far from the objective of 50 million foreign tourists despite the first return of certain Europeans such as Belgians and Germans
".
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Asked about the implementation of the health pass, extended since August 9 to many leisure places such as cinemas and museums, the president of the French Association of Tourism Experts was reassuring: "
he does not there was no impact on the hotel industry,
”he said.
As for the coming months, there is hope for a return to business tourism.
"
We hope for a rebound provided that the health situation allows it
", emphasizes Patrick Viceriat.