Low number of holidaymakers in the region: the start of the tourist season remains sluggish

La fréquentation touristique ne satisfait guère pour l'heure les professionnels du secteur, alors que l'on arrive à la mi-saison. Midi Libre - JEAN-MICHEL MART

Après un printemps performant, grâce notamment à un mois de mai "exceptionnel", pour les professionnels du tourisme, c’est "la soupe à la grimace" depuis le mois de juin.

By the admission of a Hérault tourism professional, it’s “the soup of grimaces”. As we approach the mid-summer season, the level of attendance does not meet the expectations of tourism professionals in the region.

"We had very good attendance in May, thanks to bridges and public holidays, observes Sébastien Champault, in charge of the engineering and development pole at the Tourist Development Agency of Aude (ADT 11). Then, we observed a month of June with declining attendance, a sort of soft underbelly of the season. But since the weekend of July 14, we have felt a recovery.

Stagnation of reservations in July

An excellent start to the season confirmed by Bernard Sauvaire, owner of the La Petite Camargue campsite in Aigues-Mortes and 12 others in Languedoc Roussillon. “We had very big May bank holidays, the biggest we have ever had”, he says. According to Gard Tourisme, the total number of nights booked in the department between 1 and 24 July (date of the last count) is up 6%, to just over 171,860.

Is the current political context in France penalising? ?

There is no shortage of arguments against a vacation in France. More than a rational explanation à the state of attendance at regional tourist sites, these are elements which are taken into account by professionals. "The political context undoubtedly plays a penalizing role, regrets Sébastien Champault, of the Aude Tourist Development Agency. There are uncertainties and signals that could have caused fear. "It’s a broth", adds Bernard Sauvaire, in reference to the level of attendance. Even if on its 13 campsites based in Languedoc Roussillon, the number of nights is up by 2.4% for this summer, it knows how sensitive her clientele, very European, can be to the local context. Certainly, the region is not "affected" by the inconveniences linked to hosting Olympic events. However, the image of a country in full political turmoil hardly encourages envy. At the same time, the rebalancing between the coast and the hinterland seems to have begun. "Since the Covid pandemic, we have observed an attraction among vacationers for quieter places, far from the beaten track", explains Sébastien Champault. The coastline becomes less attractive. To the point of "suffering" somewhat from a certain disaffection.

However, this seems insufficient. But, above all, far from the expectations of professionals. In a note published in mid-July by the Occitanie Regional Tourism and Leisure Committee CRTL, the level of reservations recorded on the platforms at the regional level showed a “status quo for July 2024 compared to July&nbsp ;2023". A stagnation which comes after a drop of 7% recorded in June. "But it’s not good for the moment", insists our professional from Hérault.

The numbers "s’fly" in August

For a little over two decades, we have noted an evolution in reservations. The summer season is no longer limited to just the two months of July and August. The season starts much earlier and ends much later. The level of attendance recorded in the spring is once again proof of this. And the prospects for the rest of the season confirm it.

Like every year, the month of August is looked forward to with impatience. “For a long time, the season has been July 14-August 15," recalls Sébastien Champault. According to the CRTL, reservation figures are soaring for the month of August, with an expected increase of 13% compared to August. 2023. And even September has a promising announcement with an increase of 14%. According to Gard Tourisme, the level of reservations showed, as of July 24, an increase of 11% over the month of August.

The Americans in force

"We have fewer people on July 1 than on September 1, says Bernard Sauvaire. Late August and early September have become the heart of the season. It must be said that with almost one in two customers coming from European countries, the limits of attendance of French customers."In France, there is no, the’ rsquo;summer, areas. Everyone leaves at the same time. Whereas they exist in other European countries, with split departures.

Purchasing power at half mast

Director of the H’Hérault Tourist Development Agency (ADT 34), Jean-François Pouget notes this. "We don't yet have all the figures for July, but we see it almost everywhere: there are no crowds". The fault in particular à decreasing purchasing power. "On our 13 campsites in Languedoc Roussillon, the turnover of restaurants, bars and convenience stores is down 15 % compared to the previous year. 20%, notes Bernard Sauvaire, boss of Yelloh! Village. "We are experiencing the context of a general decline in spending, adds Sébastien Champault, from ADT 11. Tourists are ready to move forward. “feel but choose free activities.” To face à the situation and attract vacationers, the Yelloh ! Village reduced its prices by more than 5% at the beginning of July and increased them by ;around 2%, at the same level as inflation for August.

According to CRTL estimates, the month of October would extend the summer season. The level of reservations would be up by … 76%. A real "flight", again. And if the German clientele is less present this year (-11%), the Americans are coming back in force (+15%). AN observation already observed for two years, particularly in Gard.

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