The summer was ultimately a source of hope for the Ile-de-France tourism sector.
Despite a first semester still strongly marked by the health crisis with 78% fewer tourists compared to 2019, "
the summer lived in Paris shows signs of a gradual recovery in activity
", according to the regional tourism committee. .
Between January and June 2021, 5.2 million tourists traveled to Paris and Ile-de-France, i.e. 39% less than in 2020 and 78% less than in 2019, according to figures presented Thursday by the Paris Ile-de-France regional tourism committee.
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In 2020, the destination Paris Ile-de-France lost 33 million tourists compared to 2019, implying a shortfall of 16 billion euros for the players in the sector, recalled Eric Jeunemaître, president of the regional tourism committee. Paris-Ile-de-France, during the presentation of these figures.
“
The first half of 2021 is in the same vein,
” he lamented.
Hotel reservations on the rise
The 5.2 million tourists between January and June, mainly French and local Europeans, generated 2 billion euros in economic benefits (-46% compared to 2020 and -82% compared to 2019). Hotel attendance is down 79% compared to 2019. However, a few distant customers have made a comeback, such as Americans, almost four times more numerous than in 2020.
"
The summer experienced in Paris is showing signs of a gradual recovery in activity,
" said Eric Jeunemaître.
"
From June, with the reopening of tourist sites, tourists returned,
" he said.
Hotel attendance has increased even though this only represents 30% of attendance in June 2019. The implementation of the health pass from August ending the gauges has accelerated the attendance of museums and monuments, emphasizes the regional tourism committee.
Summer attendance from June to August increased by 47% compared to 2020.
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Prospects by the end of the year "
are encouraging,
" according to the regional tourism committee. Hotel reservations recorded at the end of August for the months of September and October are thus twice those of comparable months last year. "
Due to our extreme dependence on international customers, the recovery will take place but will be very gradual
", according to Eric Jeunemaître.