A go slow for tourism trade in south west France

IT look as though the July tourist trade in south west France will be down on the same time last year.

The Sud Ouest newspaper reports on an initial study by the Comité Régional du Tourisme d'Aquitaine of the first half of July that found only a quarter of those involved in the tourism industry were satisfied with the trade they've had.

The popular tourist town of Monflanquin, in the Lot-et-Garonne, has seen fewer visitors to its tourism office than last year, but still up on 2010.

The economic crisis, as well as the poor weather, has been blamed for the general feeling of disappointment and that holiday makers have been leaving it late to book a break so that they can chase the sunshine.

Another reason for the decline is the rising price of petrol with tourists looking to go to events offering free admission, staying close to their holiday home and some looking for places to stay on the edge or in towns to reduce travel costs.

Download Early July Aquitaine Tourism report (.pdf)

What is the feeling about this summer's tourism trade where you live, do you think numbers are up or down on last year? Please feel free to comment below.

Comments

[Caroline Mills]

I'm based between Cahors and Figeac in the Lot, we are near to St Circ Lapopie which recently won a French TV competition as the favourite of all the Plus Beaux Villages en France. We are swamped and have been since before the TV show so it's not just that. Our numbers are certainly up. It's been busy since Easter; lots of walkers on the Chemin de Compostella, now the Parisiens have arrived. My gite has been fully booked for most of the year, as has that of my friends. Chambre d'hote is up too. The only change is gite bookings are all one week not two.

[P Martin]

This has been our worst summer since we started the business in 2007. Poor weather in April, May & June, fuel costs, lack of money in pockets and continually poor efforts by whoever is in charge of the French tourist industry, all contributing to this fact. Little information available in English at popular tourist sites, a dearth of places to eat on a Sunday eve and Monday and poor service in a lot of places. I am lucky to know very good restaurants and people here but not everyone is so fortunate.

[Steve]

We are in the Charente and in our third season with 3 gites of assorted sizes on one site with communal pool, games room and activities. We have had a good year so far (not great but up slightly on the last two) with four families/groups returning from last year and one of those on their third. We try to provide lots of info on activities, places to visit and where to eat and shop. We even take them out on our dog walks to show them the beauty of the area which costs nothing. Despite there being less sun and more rain this year all our guests have had a thoroughly good holiday because we have given them the option of other activities which is the key to keeping people happy. The work starts with the first enquiry and doesn't end until you say your last goodbyes hopefully with a deposit for next year's holiday in the offing. So if you don't put the effort in you can't expect to get people interested. We have heard of other gites whose bookings are well down on previous years and that may be due to the economic climate but it hasn't affected us unduly and there seems to be more for people to do than ever before as far as we can see.

[Craig McGinty]

Many thanks for the comments, is interesting to see the cross-section of views.