On its ramparts and on the storefronts of its shops, it was draped in black this Wednesday.
The town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, renowned for being the stronghold of many artists, has thus chosen to denounce its absence in the classification as an International Tourist Zone (ZTI), where stores can open on Sundays and until midnight.
"The traders have suffered greatly from the Covid crisis and the absence of foreign tourists who represent more than 65% of our turnover, explained Aurélie Massena, president of the Association of traders and artists, also dressed. in black for the occasion.
Classification in ZTI would allow all businesses to benefit from the support plan for the tourism sector and to preserve economic, cultural and artistic activity.
»On the spot, 90% of the hundred or so shops in the village had lowered the curtain.
"No news" from the ministry
Created by the Macron law of August 2015, these ZTIs are officially defined as areas of "international influence", with an "exceptional influx of foreign tourists", the latter being the source of a "significant flow of purchases. ".
The cities of Nice, Cannes and Antibes benefit from this status in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Laurence Trastour-Isnart, deputy (LR) of the department, indicates to have "had in March a videoconference on this subject with the cabinet" of the Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises.
“Since then, we have had no news,” she added.
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Elections
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Tourism
Covid 19
Trade
Coronavirus
Nice