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Renting a gite - or running a B&B? A recent report claims that visitor numbers to and spending in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France are so far strong for the 2006 season...
For the first time, the le Comité Régional du Tourisme Languedoc-Roussillon (Regional Tourism Committee of Languedoc-Roussillon) has conducted a survey of 2200 local tourism businesses. This telephone survey, which was conducted on May 30th and 31st, included the Pascal weekend and the Spring Bank holidays, and shows a clear improvement in tourism-related business when compared to the same period in 2005. 41 % of the businesses questioned declared a rise of their activity with 34% stating a stabilisation, while only 25% of the companies declared a fall in their activity over this period.
Accommodation sector
In general, all types of accommodation in Languedoc noted a rise of their activity for the period (41%). Among the most satisfied were the ‘chambres d’hôtes’ (64%) ‘résidences de tourisme’ (60%) and the ‘villages de vacances’ (resorts) (56%). Camp-sites and the traditional hotels also recorded good results. Only Clévacances (the holiday rentals and Bed & Breakfast organisation) reported a fall in their activity with 56% of those questioned stating that their activity was down when compared to the same time last year.
Trade and Services
According to businesses questioned in this sector, a sector strongly effected by the fall in 2005, results for the start to the 2006 season have been strong in Languedoc-Roussillon. 54% of the tourist bureaux stated a rise in their activity. 45% of Restaurants announced no change when compared to 2005, however. Only the caveaux de dégustation (wine tasting outlets) (50%) recorded a fall in their activity.
Activities
The upward trend observed in 2005 is confirmed for the beginning of the 2006 season. All types of activity-based businesses (51%) recorded good results. Among them, 55% of leisure businesses, 54% of ‘sporting tourism’ and 48% of ‘cultural tourism’ reported improved results. River tourism, which showed a fall in 2005, also posted an improvement. Overall, 47% of the businesses indicated a rise of activities for this period.
Results by geographical area
When the results are split by geographical area, the rural sectors of Languedoc posted the best results, but all areas (coastal, rural, mountainous and urban) also showed an increase in activity.
French visits
The number of visits by French nationals to the region is relatively stable - with a very slight increase. The numbers have risen when compared to 2005, (for the same period), with rises in French visitor numbers posted by 69% of ‘chambres d’hôtes’ and 50% of ‘villages de vacances’ or resorts. Again, furnished holiday homes under the Clévacances umbrella show a fall in French visitor numbers. However the passion of French tourists for Languedoc Roussillon-based activities was confirmed at the beginning of the season: 43% of these businesses declared an increase in visitor numbers.
Foreign Visitors
36% of the businesses in this part of southern France questioned declared a rise in the number of foreign customers. The majority of which are British, Spanish and North Americans. Among those that noted the biggest rises were businesses offering accommodation (62%) and those involved in water based activities (56%). The wine tasting caves and Clévacances reported a fall in foreign visitor numbers.
June Reservations
Reservations for June were reported to be stable with a possible increase in some sectors. However, this feeling was not confirmed by 70% of the Clévacances members, 57% of the rural lodgings 54% of the resorts which all note poor reservations to date for June when compared to 2005.
Summary
There is an overall increase in tourist numbers - giving a confident start to the 2006 season with 41% of businesses estimating an increase in activity. The reservations for June (to date) also give rise to continued optimism. It’s possible that this rise in activity is a result of several factors – the Easter Holidays and the long weekends (due to the May bank holidays). Also, according to INSEE, the first quarter of 2006 showed an improvement in consumer spending, thanks to a slight reduction in unemployment and the stability of Bank rates.
Source: These are the results from the survey of tourist numbers in Languedoc-Roussillon, led by the Regional Committee of Tourism.
Montpellier, June 1, 2006
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