The sanctuary of Lourdes in times of coronavirus.

Drawing.

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Bob Edme - AP - Sipa

  • For lack of pilgrims who feed its economy, Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, is hard hit by the coronavirus epidemic.

  • Group pilgrimages should not resume before July, putting hoteliers, shopkeepers and seasonal workers in difficulty.

  • Visiting this Thursday in the Cité Mariale, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne announced a strengthening of the plan intended to support and revive its economy.

He was expected as the Messiah in Lourdes, hard hit economically by the health crisis.

The Secretary of State for Tourism, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, announced Thursday, during a visit to the Marian City, a strengthening of the plan intended to support and revive the economy of this city deprived of its pilgrims.

This Friday, during a meeting with local stakeholders, this territorial roadmap, including 46 measures, was validated.

The envelope for this plan has been revised upwards by 20 million, devoted in particular to the creation of a territorial intervention and support fund.

Bring individuals back to Lourdes

“It's about making it possible both to face the emergency and at the same time to prepare the conditions for a rebound.

We still have a few difficult months ahead and that is why we are providing additional funds to support the actors of Lourdes, ”explained Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

In addition to the creation of the territorial fund, most of the 77 million euros relate to measures for deferring social contributions, loans guaranteed by the State or financing of partial activity.

"Substantial efforts are being made," said Thierry Lavit, the mayor of Lourdes.

What is to be noted is the sacred union around this plane.

Instead of suffering, we are going to put in place several actions to help bring individuals back to Lourdes ”.

Aid for seasonal workers

Most group pilgrimages are canceled until July.

"The season is already dead for the first quarter," said Christian Gelis, president of Umih 65. In 2021, we should have a decline of 70% in turnover compared to a normal season.

The big unknown is whether companies will be able to hold out despite the aid.

We are going to work on the return of the French and individual pilgrims, but we will not change the model in three months.

Lourdes is 80% groups and 60% foreigners ”.

A #Lourdes to validate the territorial roadmap drawn up by elected officials and tourism professionals, in conjunction with the State and the Region.


➡️ we are stepping up specific emergency and recovery measures, in particular with a territorial intervention and support fund.

pic.twitter.com/0bSZt8lVte

- Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne (@JBLemoyne) December 18, 2020

Regarding seasonal workers, some of whom had gone on hunger strike at the end of November, the Secretary of State for Tourism said they could "benefit from the safety net of 900 euros which is planned until the end of the month of February ”.

Second hotel town in France after Paris, the Marian City has based its economy on religious tourism and organized pilgrimages.

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  • Economy

  • Coronavirus

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  • Lourdes

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