Spring breaks and long weekends “have been a success” for the tourism sector, particularly thanks to a calendar effect with four long weekends and favorable weather, according to a press release from the Ministry of Tourism. “The exceptional presence of four possibilities for ‘bridges’ or long weekends, compared to two last year, had a beneficial effect on French departures and, consequently, a staggering of departures and reservations of overnight stays”, according to the release.
Decline on Ascension, Pentecost slightly higher
Between April 8 and May 8, that is, the Easter holiday period, including the weekends of May 1 and 8, there is an increase of almost 15% compared to 2022 in overnight stays in France of French residents to reach 103.6 million, according to the National Federation of Institutional Tourism Organizations, ADN Tourisme, quoted in a press release.
The preferred destinations are mainly in the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal areas (Charente-Maritime, Var, Vendée, Hérault or Morbihan) as well as Paris.
The Ascension weekend recorded a 9% drop in the number of overnight stays (French and international tourists combined) which is partly explained by the fact that in 2022 there were two long weekends compared to four in 2023, the weekend Ascension week had concentrated more departures. For the Pentecost weekend, French attendance remained almost stable (+1%) and reached 14.3 million tourist overnight stays. Foreign assistance is reduced (-2%).
Assistance to camping promoted by Belgians and Germans
The great winner of the month of May is the outdoor hospitality (campsites) with a 20% increase in the number of overnight stays between May 1 and 28. National attendance has increased by 15%, the sector “had a very good international attendance, driven in particular by Belgians and Germans”, according to the press release.
“The French confirm their expectations in terms of leisure by subscribing to the rule of the 3 Rs (rest, reunion, healing), so many positive signs that augur a promising summer for all our destinations (…) the low season should benefit remarkably this year of the arrival of international travelers on the occasion of the Rugby World Cup that will begin on September 8”, according to Caroline Leboucher, general director of Atout France, quoted in the press release.
Source: BFM TV
