Relief in overseas territories. On May 14, Edouard Philippe gave the green light to the summer season: "The French can go on vacation to France in July and August [...]. When I say in France , it is obviously in mainland France, in France, and in the overseas territories ” .
Something to cheer about Gilbert Cisneros, president of Exotismes, leading tour operator in the French Antilles (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin), which he founded 33 years ago. "For us who are specialists in tropical islands and who had no visibility, which is the worst thing for a company, finally we have received good news."
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Four hours later, its website, by which it is "more than 65% of sales" , displayed "traffic increasing by 44%" . "It is an indicator that the French on the one hand want to go on vacation, and on the other hand that they are not afraid to take the plane" , assures Gilbert Cisneros, whose activity was totally stopped since March 16.
Usually, nearly 100,000 individual travelers depart each year with Exotismes, including 36,000 to the French Antilles and 14,500 to Reunion. But since the start of the pandemic, this professional was only in crisis management: first the repatriation of 4,264 customers in less than a week, then the postponement of departures scheduled until June 30 in exchange for -to be worth.
The tropical overseas islands, by their hot and humid climate, are very active in terms of health security to protect themselves from viral diseases.
Gilbert Cisneros, Founding President of ExotismeGilbert Cisneros, Founding President of Exotisme Exotismes
The hour of recovery has struck. “The summer season is a high season in the low season. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people leave in July or August because their companies close at that time , " says Gilbert Cisneros. He regrets "an erroneous image" according to which it would rain in the islands in summer. "In reality it is a dry season," he says. If the French in mainland France prefer winter, it is mainly because it is cold at home and hot there. ”
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The islands reassure. "The overseas departments have been very little affected by the Covid-19 epidemic ," observes the specialist. And you know, the tropical islands, by their hot and humid climate, are very active in terms of health security to protect themselves from viral diseases. " So Gilbert Cisneros launches "this summer go to France, go to the islands!"
No quarantine on arrival in the islands?
From July 1st it will be possible to find the landscapes of Réunion Salazie
" On July 1, there should be no quarantine on arrival in the islands," he said, at least for the French in mainland France. A point which remains to be confirmed by the authorities at the various levels. But national airports will have a very strict sanitary corridor, on arrival and on return.
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With prices guaranteed for two years, sales are open until October 31, 2021, and from this summer until October 31, 2022. Gilbert Cisneros insists on "his historical and friendly ties with his hotel and airline partners" . It is banking on a “windfall effect” for consumers when airlines and hoteliers relaunch their services.
“But the reopening of Paris Orly airport is fundamental. Air Caraïbes and Corsair have their offices there. If he were to fly to Roissy, the consumer of the French overseas departments, including the affinity traveler, could find himself losing ” . According to Secretary of State for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, air traffic in Orly could resume on June 26.