France: Coronavirus epidemic weighs on the tourism sector

Text by: RFI Follow

The coronavirus epidemic and the precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease have already caused many disruptions for tourists and businesses.

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On the forecourt of the Louvre in Paris this morning, the square is almost empty, reports our reporter Léa Jacquet . Koreans and Japanese form small groups near the queue. Kane sells Eiffel towers in front of the museum. He has noticed the decrease in the number of Chinese tourists for several days. “ Before, when they came, there were dozens of groups. But now they don't come anymore. It's only the Koreans who come, the Japanese, all that. But the Chinese don't come much now. "

If the coronavirus prevents many Chinese tourists from going to Paris , Chaimaa, an Argentina, did not want to cancel his flight from Buenos Aires, despite the presence of six patients on French soil. " If you tell me to go to China, maybe I will ask myself the question. But for three or four sick people, no need to stress, she said.

Claire gave herself a few days of vacation in the French capital, far from Australia. What worries him is above all the stigmatization of which Asians are victims . “ These global viruses can trigger racism in people. And I think it's important to keep calm and think about whether this virus will affect you. And I don't think it is. "

Tourists and businesses will not necessarily be compensated

Difficult for now to assess the economic impact, but the compensation will not necessarily be there for tourists and businesses. The reimbursement will depend on the case and the cancellation condition of the trip. Tourists whose stay has been canceled by the agency will not be harmed, says Jean-Pierre Mas, president of Entreprises du voyage, at the microphone of Pauline Gleize. “ Very clearly, travelers whose trip cannot be made to China can either postpone their trip to another period, or postpone it to another destination, or be reimbursed. This attitude does not depend on insurance, but on the will of travel organizers not to penalize customers because of the coronavirus in China. "

But for those who have themselves decided not to leave as a precaution, this is complicated, explains Xavier-Philippe Gruwez, lawyer in a firm specializing in transport and insurance. " This is a case of force majeure which is not provided for in insurance contracts, in general. It will be considered as a personal decision of the insured not to embark for the country in question, that is to say China. "

As for companies, travel agencies, in France in any case, will not be compensated. But costs are expected to remain marginal as airlines limit their flights. According to an official of the London broker Marsh, quoted by AFP, for these airlines which reduced or stopped their service from China, there could be no recourse. Contagious diseases are indeed covered by specific insurance for companies. Their cost may have discouraged subscriptions.

► Read also: France: Coronavirus, the rush on masks

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• China
• France
• Tourism

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