INTERVIEW
This is one of the striking announcements in Emmanuel Macron's speech on Monday evening: May 11 should begin the partial and progressive deconfinement of France. But cafes, restaurants and hotels will remain closed until an indefinite date. "We are very worried, we do not know how we are going to end the month", reacts for Europe 1 Didier Chenet, president of GNI, the National Group of Independent Hotel and Restaurant Industry.
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A moratorium on charges
After a month of total containment, the sector is in critical condition. "Today we have bloodless treasuries and we do not know how we will cope, advance wages while waiting for partial unemployment to be reimbursed, but also pay suppliers," said Didier Chenet. He claims that the plan put in place by the government for hotels and restaurants be improved. "We cannot just postpone charges. We will not be able to pay in six months, a year, two years ... charges for which we have no turnover. We absolutely need a moratorium on tax charges, social charges and rents. "
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On this point, Didier Chenet believes that there is "a ray of hope": "I think that the president left the door more than ajar." In fact, Emmanuel Macron asked the government to provide "a specific plan for the sectors which, like tourism, hotels, catering, culture and events, will be durably affected". "Cancellations of charges and specific aid will be put in place," said the President of the Republic. "A moratorium would restore hope to all hoteliers and restaurateurs," says Didier Chenet.
Appeal to banks, lessors and insurers
Beyond state aid, he asked that "the banks play the game". "Today, they do not play the game with the small independents who are in difficult cash situations and who have the worst difficulties in accessing loans guaranteed by the state," said the president of GNI, who also calls for leniency for rents. "Donors need to understand that we are in the same boat: if we sink, they will sink with us."
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Finally, Didier Chenet tackles the insurers he accuses of a "lack of solidarity". "They must invest in our businesses. I will propose to the Minister of the Economy the creation of an investment fund which comes to the aid of the hotel and restaurant sector. And we ask that insurers have the obligation to 'subscribe to it,' he explains. And the representatives of independent hotel and restaurant owners to look to the future, hardly optimistic: "If the reopening were to take place in mid-July, the season would be gone. It will be hard ..."