While the summer season will soon start, France is putting all the chances on its side to attract foreign tourists.
"
Foreign tourists who come to France will be able to take a free PCR test before returning home
," Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs announced this Sunday at the Great Europe 1-CNews-Les Échos meeting.
We want, in good sanitary conditions, to remain the leading European and world tourist destination.
It is an economic issue.
"
Read also: Covid-19: in which European countries are the tests the most expensive?
In comparison, the PCR test can cost up to 120 euros in Spain, explains Clément Beaune.
The price can even go up to 300 euros in Sweden and 200 euros in Finland.
The European Parliament demands that the tests become free everywhere in Europe.
"
I cannot tell you whether Italy, Spain or Germany, which charge for the tests, will accept it and will do so in the coming weeks
", deplores the Secretary of State for European Affairs.
Harmonized or reconciled European tariffs are still being studied.
The reimbursement by French social security of the PCR test for a French person traveling abroad is not, however, envisaged.
"
It would be an effort for social security which would not be justified
", highlights Clément Beaune.
61 billion euros in tourism revenue lost in 2020
Tourism is a crucial economic stake for France.
According to INSEE, over the period July-August 2020, the number of hotel nights in mainland France stood at 33.8 million, down 30% compared to the same months of the previous year.
The drop in attendance by non-residents from July to September (-71%) concerned all countries.
Attendance from countries such as the United States or China was almost zero.
According to the Atout France agency dedicated to French tourism, France lost 61 billion euros in tourism revenue in 2020.
To read also: Gaspard Koenig: "The sanitary pass is voluntary servitude"
In order to facilitate international travel, the Twenty-Seven are currently discussing the implementation of a common health pass at European level. Anyone with this document can travel to the various countries of the European Union, without having to present a negative PCR test at airports. Upstream, France intends to release its own national health pass, which will be used from June 9.
