In front of the Parisian Moulin-Rouge cabaret, October 10, 2023. DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP
A “speed dating” for investors, managers and elected officials at the helm of tourism in France: this is what the Château de Chantilly (Oise) was to transform into, Thursday January 11, on the occasion of the Destination France Summit, organized by the Elysée.
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Around two hundred French or foreign leaders were expected, representing the heavyweights of the sector: Compagnie des Alpes, Airbnb, Marriott, Expedia, Pierre & Vacances, Barrière group, Club Med, Europa-Park, Louvre Hotels, Accor… A way of promote a sector which represents nearly 8% of the gross domestic product, employs 1.7 million people, but suffers from a lack of consideration.
Emmanuel Macron had to set some major milestones there. Encourage investments that contribute to decarbonizing the sector, ensure that tourists have better quality experiences, spend more and stay longer… All on the cusp of a year 2024 rich in events: the Olympic and Paralympic Games , with their expected 15 million visitors, the reopening of Notre-Dame, the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Francophonie Summit in Villers-Cotterêts (Aisne).
National ski market in decline
So many highlights that the profession is delighted with, which has generally returned, in 2023, to attendance levels before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the report presented by the specialist firm MKG and the Alliance France Tourisme, Wednesday January 10. France remains the leading tourist destination in the world and revenue per room in the hotel sector, a key indicator in this area, records an increase of 15% compared to 2023. This growth is driven by prices (+ 10% in one year , and even + 26% compared to 2019) and by customers who are always there.
The results nevertheless reveal disparities: high-end establishments (four and five stars) outperform other categories. Some regions have benefited more from the post-Covid recovery (Paris, Provence-Côte-d’Azur), others less (the Channel coast, the North-East, the South-West).
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The major national players are doing well. Thus, Compagnie des Alpes shows a gross operating surplus up 3%, driven by its accommodation activities and increased attendance at its amusement parks. Revenues from its ski areas are holding up, despite everything in a declining national ski market. Another major player, the Pierre & Vacances group, saw its turnover increase by 13%, notably thanks to the attractiveness of Center Parcs.
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