Foreign tourists return to France
Weak euro lures overseas visitors back to the country, more than compensating for a decline in holidays by the French
FOREIGN tourists have come back to France this summer after a disappointing 2009, early figures have revealed.
According to tourism research body Protourisme, the weak euro has boosted the number of foreign visitors by between 5% and 10%.
Protourisme director Didier Arino said foreign visitors had “saved” the tourist season so far.
The top countries of origin outside the eurozone included Russia, the US, China and India. France is also proving popular with the Germans, Belgians and Dutch who do not want to travel far for a holiday.
However the French are choosing to either stay at home or spend time with friends or family instead of paying for accommodation, the report found.
Hotel occupancy in July was around the 70% mark, increasing to 90.5% for four-star accommodation.
Campsite use was stable on last year at about 80% but is forecast to rise to about 95% this month.
Protourisme said August was looking promising for all of France, especially the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Other boom areas this summer include the Auvergne, Hautes-Pyrénées and the Arcachon basin.
Photo: It's behind you. Credit: Lsantilli - Fotolia.com
