Price levels considered excessive by holidaymakers this summer: reality or impression ?

Inflation stability

Prices: that's the crux of the problem. However, inflation is slowly returning to the level it was at before the price spike following the Covid pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine, which caused energy bills (gas and electricity) to soar.

According to INSEE, “core inflation is increasing slightly over one year and stands at + 1.8% in June 2024, after + 1.7% in May". As for the consumer price index, “it increased by 0.2% over one month, after +0.1% in May”. Over one year, it “increased by 2.5% in June 2024, after +2.6% in May”.

“Prices have increased for a an"

The restaurateurs are pointed out, like Annie’s annoyance. "Inevitably, prices have increased over the past year", acknowledges Alexandre Sylvestre, president of the restaurateurs of Aude. He believes that they have increased due to the “increase in raw materials, gas, electricity, wages, which have impacted us, like every citizen”.

"You have to know what we're talking about, says Joël Ortiz, owner of La Voile Bleue, one of the oldest seaside huts, located in La Grande-Motte ( Hérault). We would be more expensive compared to what ? We have to compare what’is".

Private beaches singled out

The beach boss, who also chairs the regional association of private beaches, recalls that "in the increase in everything that accompanies our services, there are fixed unchanging fees each season". He takes the example of assembly, "which costs 150 000 euros" and dismantling, "which costs 70 000 euros".

Not forgetting the seasonal rent of the concession: “220,000 euros last year, around 160,000 euros this year, because we opened a month late”. Costs that are passed on to prices, particularly those of the restaurant.

“Inflation has disrupted budgets”

According to Pierre Lapray, Montpellier founder of the website epaillote.com, “you have to count between 22-23 euros for a starter and 25 to 45 euros on average for a main course. Price levels “increasing, depending on the beach”. One thing is clear: they are significantly higher on the eastern coast of Languedoc Roussillon than on the western part.

In restaurants, “the consumer may have the feeling of not getting value for money”

Director of Studies the Circana Institute, specializing in in observing prices in France, Emily Mayer confirms a high price level. "Between July 2021 and July 2024, they increased  20% on average, she notes. With variations: “prices are up by more than 20% in mass distribution and between 6% and 8% in catering& ;quot;. With pressure "higher in tourist areas & strong attractiveness, like the Languedoc coastline. She decrypts: “In the restaurant industry, there are strategies, such as putting fewer products on the plate, to reduce the cost and therefore the prices. Which gives the consumer the feeling that he is not getting value for his money”. However, there is inflation and… inflation. “In a restaurant, the price is not the same as when you buy a packet of pasta at the supermarket. There are certain costs, such as personnel costs, that are included in the calculation of restaurant prices".

"It is true that inflation has disrupted consumers' budgets, admits Alexandre Sylvestre. Purchasing power has not increased at the same time as prices, which creates a depression". As a result, vacationers are consuming less. According to our information, in the first half of July, the drop in consumption would be "between 20% and 30% in traditional and seasonal catering".

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