Many tourism professionals apprehended the summer season and the absence of foreign visitors to France. But ultimately, the results could be better than expected, according to Michel Durrieu, the director general of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional tourism committee. He was invited from Europe 1 Thursday morning. 

INTERVIEW

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, summer vacations and tourism are completely turned upside down. If foreign visitors are missing, the majority of French people have however stayed in France for the holidays. Consequence: the first record of the season promises to be better than what was feared. "We avoided the disaster scenario, which was still possible at least in June," said Michel Durrieu, the director general of the Regional Tourism Committee of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Thursday morning at the microphone of Europe 1. "The French clientele is there, on the coast as well as on inland destinations. New Aquitaine is the number one destination for the French and I think it will remain so once again this year, "he continues.

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Upscale hotels and urban tourism in difficulty

The situations of tourism professionals are nevertheless very disparate. "Some have growth rates of 10 to 20% because they are on a clientele that comes for a few days. But for those who are used to receiving foreign tourists, it is much more complicated. They suffer and do not compensate not with the French ", notes Michel Durrieu, referring in particular to palaces and five-star hotels.

Urban tourism is also in difficulty. "In Bordeaux, the results are almost divided by four, because tourists do not go there during this period and business tourism is not there either. At the end of the season, the results should be 30 40% below the usual figure, "predicts Michel Durrieu.

Reservations boosted by the hot weather

On the other hand, the weather forecast and the expected strong heat could give a boost to certain professionals in the sector, or even "save the season" according to Michel Durrieu. The Basque Country, the Landes, the Charentes or even the Gironde are full. "Reservations explode a week before stays. People wait until the last moment, for climatic and health information to reserve," explains Michel Durrieu. "The professionals will not make up for all their accumulated delay during confinement, but they will be able to achieve positive results despite everything," he concludes.