After three years marked by a sharp slowdown linked to the health crisis, the tourism sector is confirming its return to form, with a prolonged summer season. 12.5 million overnight stays were recorded in September, or 12% more compared to 2022.
Something to delight professionals in the sector who benefited from particularly mild weather, reminiscent of an Indian summer. With the added bonus of the return of foreign tourists to France.
“International clienteles are present,” declared Olivia Grégoire during a press briefing. From January to the end of August, “international revenues stand at 44.3 billion euros compared to 39.6 billion euros” over the same period of 2022, detailed the minister.
Haro on the price increase
A renewed appeal which is not unrelated to the sporting events organized this year. “These very good figures can be linked to the 2023 Rugby World Cup which boosted attendance in France by international customers but also consumption,” confirms Olivia Grégoire, who nevertheless warns of the consequences in terms of rising prices. And to call on those in the tourism sector to be “vigilant” less than a year before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“This summer we observed an average increase of 20% in RevPar (average income per night) compared to 2019, with peaks of up to 30% in certain regions,” noted the minister. And although an increase in prices “after difficult years of Covid and inflation is understood”, Olivia Grégoire insists on the risk that prices “reach peaks and touch the unreasonable a few months before the Olympic and Paralympic Games” .
Airbnb rentals placed under surveillance
In addition to hotels and guest houses, short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, are also in the sights. By the end of the year, the executive plans to set up a price observatory which should concern “all categories of tourist rentals”, and which is intended to be “perpetuated” after the Games.
This, with the aim of “allowing consumers to be better informed about price variations over the last three to five years”. And to prevent too strong an increase in prices ultimately resulting in a drop in demand.