Coronavirus: measures taken for tourism professionals in France

Text by: Agnieszka Kumor

The recession in the French economy could worsen to -3.1%, says credit insurer Euler Hermes. The slowdown would be all the more marked if the containment provisions which penalize expenditure are extended. This is particularly the case with regard to tourist frequentation. Tourism professionals are particularly concerned.

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Faced with numerous cancellations of flights, trips or stays, the tourism sector is hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. In France, losses could go up to 40 billion euros for a sector that supports almost two million people throughout the country. Aware of the importance of this sector, which generates 170 billion euros in revenue each year, the government is proposing several support measures, with the assistance notably of the Public Investment Bank, the BPI, declared to the press on Tuesday Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Bpifrance, contact with banks

The economic support measures already taken by the government have been " unanimously welcomed by the entire industry ", rejoiced Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. He had met representatives of the tourism sector earlier in the morning. Were present at this telephone meeting, among others: ATOUT France, Alliance France Tourisme, but also representatives of banks (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, Bpifrance, CCI France), local authorities, union organizations or the various stakeholders in the sector starting with the hotel and catering industry, passing by cultural and sports animation companies, representatives of trade and transport.

These measures were and voted urgently by the Parliament. These include 45 billion euros in aid through the postponement or cancellation of tax and social deadlines. The solidarity fund was also set up to help SMEs or the self-employed . The state will also guarantee 300 billion loans to businesses. On this last point, the Secretary of State recalled that companies are applying for a loan from their bank, which will examine the file and send it to Bpifrance . The latter plays a pivotal role with banks for businesses whether small, medium or large groups. The situation is very dramatic. Bpifrance receives 6,000 requests per week. And 12% of its requests relate to hotels and restaurants.

Freelancers at a standstill

The representatives of the tourism sector stressed the importance of supporting the self-employed and the self-employed. The health crisis is for them synonymous with dead loss. These freelancers risk bankruptcy. Cultural speakers, owners of guesthouses can count on this solidarity fund which is being set up. Aid of up to 20 billion euros per month to which they can claim will allow them to face cash flow problems during this period of inactivity suffered, said Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

All this aims to prepare a rebound in tourism once the containment is lifted, assured the Secretary of State. But “ tourism will evolve and now the French who goes on vacation will really want to have guarantees on their ability to have access to care, to verify that the place where they are going is well preserved […] and that there will be a a revival for national tourism, for the discovery of all this heritage and these soils which make up France's wealth , "he added. For trips canceled during the pandemic, the assets that will be handed over by tourism companies will be valid for 18 months and cannot be reimbursed until after this period.

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