Rise in summer tourist numbers

BRITTANY has seen the biggest increase in tourist numbers over the summer compared to the rest of the country, latest figures for the hotel sector show.

Tourist numbers over the summer of 2015 were 2.9% higher than the previous year across the whole country according to the statistics agency Insee, which also found that areas on the coast faired slightly better, with an average increase of 3.5%.

Good weather in July brought a boost to last minute reservations, with Brittany being the most improved area, recording a 6% rise in tourists.

It was followed by the south-west coast, Provence and Corsica, while Languedoc-Roussillon saw a slight drop in visitors.

Franche-Comté, Bourgogne and Alsace also saw increases, notably in their campsites.

The 2.9% year on year increase is also partly down to the fact that in 2014 hotels, hostels and other collective accommodation saw a 1.5% drop in visitors compared to 2013.

French visitors accounted for two thirds of the hotel guests.

Photo:Flickr/John Lord