In 2023, tourist numbers increased by 5% in Charente-Maritime compared to 2022, a year already marked by attractive records.
Nearly 33 million overnight stays were recorded last year in the department, underlines Stéphane Villain, president of Charentes Tourisme, the economic and tourist development agency of the two Charentes.
At the forefront of the French tourist clientele are the Ile-de-France residents (27%).
The British occupy first place on a European scale, followed by the Germans and Dutch.
Furthermore, Charentes Tourisme notes in 2023 the surge in American overnight stays with an increase of 15% in Charente-Maritime and even 60% for Irish reservations driven by the Cork-La Rochelle air link.
After blue tourism, green tourism!
Resolutely attractive, Charente-Maritime never ceases to panic the counters year after year.
However, this success comes up against other departmental issues such as the shortage of housing directly affected by tourist rentals.
There is also the question of access to drinking water in the summer – 45% of annual nights are reserved during this period.
In other words: can Charente-Maritime accommodate more and more vacationers?
“Yes,” replies Stéphane Villain without hesitation.
This elected official, mayor of the seaside resort of Châtelaillon, calls for more visits to the hinterland “so as not to densify the coastline”.
After “blue tourism”, it’s time for “green tourism”, he says, refuting the idea of “overtourism” in Charente-Maritime.
The lengthening of the seasons also makes it possible to welcome more tourists all year round without creating surges, notes Stéphane Villain, saying he is vigilant regarding the question of rental platforms.
To support his point, the elected official lists the figures: “Tourism is the leading economy in the department with 2 billion in economic benefits, 6,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect ones.
If tourism is poor, Charente-Maritime is sick.”