INTERVIEW
The summer holidays are fast approaching, and in this period of health crisis linked to Covid-19, the French summer projects have evolved. According to a survey of 2,000 people from the 13 metropolitan regions, 86% of them should stay in France to take advantage of their holidays, combining caution and the desire for natural spaces. In addition, half of the respondents indicate that this vacation will be "different" from the previous ones. Didier Arino, director of Protourisme, a consultancy in the tourism sector, stresses on Europe 1 the importance of the 7 million potential holidaymakers, who do not yet know if they will be able to leave and can still choose a three-color stay.
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Seven million French people still undecided
"There are still seven million of our fellow citizens who do not know whether they will be able to leave or not this summer," he said. "All those who have to catch up on the accumulated delay because they were unable to work during the months of confinement. This is particularly the case for all the liberal professions, craftsmen, all those who have doubts about the sustainability of their jobs and who are waiting until the last moment to book their vacation ... We could have good surprises with last minute bookings for those who have not yet chosen between leaving or staying at home. " A real hope of saving the tourist season for professionals in the sector.
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To convince the undecided, the French destinations have embarked on seduction operations. TER at one euro in Occitania, gift vouchers in the Manche, activities reimbursed in the Landes ... "This year there are great opportunities everywhere", notes Didier Arino. "You should take advantage !"
Local tourism
According to Didier Arino, reservations are accelerating in the mountains and in seaside resorts, despite a slight delay in paid accommodation establishments. "Reservations in furnished rentals are late for a simple reason, it is that 25% of the offer has been taken up by the owners, who no longer rent them out," analyzes the consultant. "The campsites were very late, but they are speeding up reservations. They are only 15% behind compared to last year."
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"We have a very good attendance, especially this weekend and the coming week for those involved in tourism, and especially in second homes," says Didier Arino. According to him, the confinement and forced removal of families has upset the summer projects of the French, who multiply the visits to grandparents or cousinades. "Last year, 40% of our fellow citizens went on vacation to their regions or to nearby regions. This year it is 52%, which means that it is tourism not only Franco-French but tourism of proximity which is acclaimed. "