In a tense climate, doubts set in for France’s tourist season

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While the capital had just caught up with its pre-pandemic levels, many questions remain unanswered about the tourist season that has just begun. In the wake of the urban violence in France, several countries are urging their citizens to be vigilant when traveling to France.

 

At a time when Paris is usually teeming with tourists, warm summer breezes and crowded terraces, the situation is somewhat different today. The riots that have been raging for the past week could well disrupt the tourist season.

 

Since the beginning of July, hoteliers have recorded 20-25% cancellations from international guests, according to the Paris Tourist Office. On the other hand, major monuments such as the Eiffel Tower have not seen a drop in visitor numbers.

 

In addition to hotels, many restaurateurs are complaining of cancellations, or even worse, damage to their establishments, which could tarnish the capital’s image. As one restaurateur confided to Le Parisien: “The night before last, I had 180 covers, Thursday night I lost 50, tonight I’m down to 40 and for this Saturday I’ve already had 38 cancellations and only… four covers for lunch“.

 

An effect that seems more immediate than during the yellow vest crisis during which protests against pension reform didn’t deter tourists from coming to the City of Light.

 

Hotels, restaurants, but also luxury goods. Indeed, the riots could have an impact on the third-quarter sales of major European luxury groups.

 

The extent of this impact will depend on the duration of the events” warned Bernstein’s luxury analysts, who claim that France has become the number one luxury shopping destination for American and Chinese tourists.

 

In addition to luxury department stores, a number of fashion events had to be cancelled or postponed in the middle of Haute Couture Fashion Week.

 

A dynamism that’s leaving as quickly as it arrived

 

From January to April 2023, almost 12 million tourists visited Greater Paris, up 27% on 2022 and down 2.5% on 2019. The proportion of French and foreign tourists returns to a similar split to the pre-covid period, while average spending is almost higher than in the pre-covid period.

 

The most numerous tourists visiting Greater Paris are, unsurprisingly, Americans, followed by the English, Germans, Italians and, last but not least, Brazilians.

 

By way of comparison, last June, the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau forecast that air traffic for the summer vacation period (June to August) would increase by +28% compared to 2022. This would represent over 1,238,000 foreign arrivals.

 

Barely a month later, these forecasts have unfortunately been called into question by the recent events in Paris. Let’s hope that tensions subside, as large-scale events are being prepared in the capital, starting with the Rugby World Cup from September to October 2023, not to mention the Olympic Games.

 

Read also >Tensions in Paris overshadow start of Haute Couture Fashion Week

 

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While the capital had just caught up with its pre-pandemic levels, many questions remain unanswered about the tourist season that has just begun. In the wake of the urban violence in France, several countries are urging their citizens to be vigilant when traveling to France.

 

At a time when Paris is usually teeming with tourists, warm summer breezes and crowded terraces, the situation is somewhat different today. The riots that have been raging for the past week could well disrupt the tourist season.

 

Since the beginning of July, hoteliers have recorded 20-25% cancellations from international guests, according to the Paris Tourist Office. On the other hand, major monuments such as the Eiffel Tower have not seen a drop in visitor numbers.

 

In addition to hotels, many restaurateurs are complaining of cancellations, or even worse, damage to their establishments, which could tarnish the capital’s image. As one restaurateur confided to Le Parisien: “The night before last, I had 180 covers, Thursday night I lost 50, tonight I’m down to 40 and for this Saturday I’ve already had 38 cancellations and only… four covers for lunch“.

 

An effect that seems more immediate than during the yellow vest crisis during which protests against pension reform didn’t deter tourists from coming to the City of Light.

 

Hotels, restaurants, but also luxury goods. Indeed, the riots could have an impact on the third-quarter sales of major European luxury groups.

 

The extent of this impact will depend on the duration of the events” warned Bernstein’s luxury analysts, who claim that France has become the number one luxury shopping destination for American and Chinese tourists.

 

In addition to luxury department stores, a number of fashion events had to be cancelled or postponed in the middle of Haute Couture Fashion Week.

 

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While the capital had just caught up with its pre-pandemic levels, many questions remain unanswered about the tourist season that has just begun. In the wake of the urban violence in France, several countries are urging their citizens to be vigilant when traveling to France.

 

At a time when Paris is usually teeming with tourists, warm summer breezes and crowded terraces, the situation is somewhat different today. The riots that have been raging for the past week could well disrupt the tourist season.

 

Since the beginning of July, hoteliers have recorded 20-25% cancellations from international guests, according to the Paris Tourist Office. On the other hand, major monuments such as the Eiffel Tower have not seen a drop in visitor numbers.

 

In addition to hotels, many restaurateurs are complaining of cancellations, or even worse, damage to their establishments, which could tarnish the capital’s image. As one restaurateur confided to Le Parisien: “The night before last, I had 180 covers, Thursday night I lost 50, tonight I’m down to 40 and for this Saturday I’ve already had 38 cancellations and only… four covers for lunch“.

 

An effect that seems more immediate than during the yellow vest crisis during which protests against pension reform didn’t deter tourists from coming to the City of Light.

 

Hotels, restaurants, but also luxury goods. Indeed, the riots could have an impact on the third-quarter sales of major European luxury groups.

 

The extent of this impact will depend on the duration of the events” warned Bernstein’s luxury analysts, who claim that France has become the number one luxury shopping destination for American and Chinese tourists.

 

In addition to luxury department stores, a number of fashion events had to be cancelled or postponed in the middle of Haute Couture Fashion Week.

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Thanks to its extensive knowledge of these sectors, the Luxus + editorial team deciphers for its readers the main economic and technological stakes in fashion, watchmaking, jewelry, gastronomy, perfumes and cosmetics, hotels, and prestigious real estate.

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