Carcassonne, June 2023. In the winding streets of the medieval city, the terraces are lively and the souvenir shops are full. Foreign visitors are back.
“There are many Americans who have returned, Canadians, English in abundance (…) and above all French who are looking for heritage destinations where they live well,” remarks Muriel Brunet, director of the city’s tourist office, on the BFMTV microphone. .
With an increase of 19.2% according to the Particulier à Particulier website, bookings for the month of June are booming. An increase that is explained, according to the president of TourCom, Richard Vainopoulos, by a change in social habits since the end of the covid. If the French save on restaurants and activities, traveling has become “a social fad”, he deciphers it.
Up to 44% cheaper
In addition, in the midst of a period of inflation, tourists out of season seem to be attracted above all by the attractive prices. “Despite inflation, it is much cheaper than in July/August”, analyzes Richard Vainopoulos. By way of comparison, in the South Atlantic area, renting a house in June will cost you an average of 32% less than in summer, 44% less if you decide to spend your holidays in an apartment.
It is still necessary to be able to take vacations in the off-season. If the months of July/August continue to seem like the prerogative of families, the low season attracts “self-employed, families without children, motorcyclists and the elderly and the elderly,” said the president of TourCom.
The tourists who fill the medieval city of Carcassonne in this month of June confirm it. “There are fewer people, there are no screaming children, what happiness!” says a French tourist. In June the weather is still pleasant and above all “there are fewer people than in July and August” as explained by another tourist, who even speaks of the “ideal period”.
Jean-Philippe Boublil, hotel manager in Carcassonne, has also seen his attendance increase. +10% compared to June last year. “We have increased our occupancy rate, we have also increased our median price,” he explains. For the tourism sector, which has been suffering since the Covid-19 crisis, this is a blessing that should last: still according to the Particulier à Particulier website, accommodation reservations for the month of September 2023 have already increased. by more than 32% compared to last year.
Source: BFM TV
