INTERVIEW
For their first vacation following the coronavirus epidemic and containment, the French could vote for the mountains. Tourism professionals note in any case a sharp increase in reservations, while a large majority of French people intend to spend their holidays in France, according to a survey of 2,000 people by the 13 metropolitan regions . "We have already caught up, and we are going beyond 2019, which was an excellent year of attendance," rejoices Jean-Luc Boch, vice-president of ANMSM, the National Association of Mountain Resort Mayors.
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"Social distancing is natural in the mountains"
Is this renewed interest a surprise? "Yes and no", answers Jean-Luc Boch. "We did everything in terms of communication to prove to people that the good air, the altitude, the social distance, it was natural in altitude and in the mountains. And we hope that many French people will realize that you can live perfectly in areas of well-being and comfort with natural distancing, "he continues.
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"The development of the mountain means that 2% of the territory is occupied, so we have 98% of the mountain which is free from human occupation three quarters of the time", he still boasts. And the massifs can be the perfect place to do many and diverse activities. "If you really want to have a sporting holiday, go beyond yourself, you can do it by climbing, hiking, or simply walking," says Jean-Luc Boch. And to add: "We also have a lot of lakes, areas and activities around the theme of water".