Despite the surge in Covid-19 cases and the restrictions, Corsica, which receives an average of 2.5 million tourists between July and August, acts as a "refuge" with overall better results than in 2019, even if the foreign customers are less present.
With its crystal-clear beaches and wild mountains suitable for hiking, this Mediterranean island of 340,000 inhabitants is however seeing tourist practices adapt, with visitors more tempted by lodges or boat rentals than by collective accommodation in hotels. or campsites, according to industry professionals interviewed by AFP.
The airline Air Corsica, the leading carrier to Corsica, has indicated that it has
"a normal flight program for summer 2021, equivalent to that of summer 2019 in terms of seats offered"
, ie up to 10,000 per day.
The weekend of July 31 / August 1
"was the busiest in the past two years"
, with an occupancy level of 87.6% and
"traffic forecasts remain good"
in August,
"despite the uncertainty of the evolution of the pandemic ”
, specified the company.
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The health pass is not a deterrent
Faced with the increase in Covid cases, especially in Haute-Corse where the incidence rate was four times higher than the national average this week, various measures ranging from the wearing of compulsory masks in frequented areas to the prohibition of village festivals, fireworks or other summer balls were taken by the authorities.
For shipping companies, Corsica Linea's red boats display
“fill rates equivalent to those of a non-Covid season”
and
“very satisfactory trends”
, according to Pasquine Albertini, director of communications for the company.
The "no shows", that is to say the passengers who do not show up for boarding, are
"very low, of the order of 2 to 3%"
.
"This means that the health constraints - compulsory health pass to go to the island - are not a deterrent and that travelers have integrated them well"
, she underlines.
Corsica, where tourism represents 33% of the gross domestic product (GDP),
"is confirmed as a refuge destination"
, she welcomed.
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Individual rentals acclaimed
Pierre Mattei, CEO of the Corsica Ferries shipping company, leader in passenger traffic to Corsica, is more mixed.
“If we compare with July 2020, we are better but it is not difficult because it is the worst year we have ever had in traffic. On the other hand, compared to 2019, we are down, especially on foreign trafficking because the border crossing remains quite complicated "
, he notes, specifying that August should be similar and that
" September will depend on the situation. sanitary "
knowing that
" everything is done more and more at the last moment "
.
As for accommodation, this summer, individual rentals (Gîtes de France, furnished tourist accommodation, bed and breakfast) are
"much more popular"
than collective accommodation (hotels, camping, tourist residence and holiday village), notes the Regional tourism agency.
"We find the attendance rates for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 which were very good with an occupancy rate of 77% in July (against 57% in 2020 and 73% in 2019) and for August, of 89% against 82 % in 2020 and 85% in 2019 ”
, affirms Dominique Chilotti, director for Corsica of Gîtes de France which has 1,500 accommodations on the island.
If the clientele usually counts 15% foreigners - Belgians, Germans and Swiss - this year they are
"less than 5%"
, she notes.
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"Historical" traffic
The Collectionist, which has more than 70 villas on the island, for its part
“doubled
” the number of rentals in July compared to 2020 and 2019, with a clientele
“clearly more French than foreign”
, specifies Hélène Rousset, communications director.
For the Click & Boat platform, which offers nearly a thousand boats for rent in Corsica, traffic is
“historic”
with reservations in July
“up 94% compared to 2019 and 90% compared to 2020”
.
"Boat rental embodies the biggest travel trend in 2021 by responding to the strong need of the French to get away from the crowds, in a safe health environment"
, assures the company.