Dordogne tourism trade rescued by French visitors

THE French have come to the rescue of the Dordogne tourism trade this summer, with initial figures showing that the advertising promotions after the de-confinement in May helped the region.

The Comité Départemental du Tourisme de la Dordogne (CDTT) has said that despite foreign visitors being greatly reduced due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, many French people took their place.

Normally the split is 70% French and 30% foreign visitors, but this year the split is 90% French and 10% from outside France.

Gites and hotels have done well, with outdoor past-times such as cycling and canoeing proving popular, although camp sites and Bergerac airport has found summer 2020 a struggle.

Many visitors to the Dordogne are from the département, or neighbouring areas, and many have been willing to spend their euros in local shops and restaurants.

It is hoped that September will see an extension of the season and enable some businesses to make up some of the loses they experienced earlier in the year.