Trade Alliance, the Tourism Plan for local actors

The Tourism Plan is one of many measures proposed by the Government to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. For tourism professionals, the plan is evolving throughout the country. It is now turning to an expanded form, for the International Tourist Zones. Indeed, the Tourism Plan is now aimed at non-food businesses in these well-defined areas throughout the country. These are shops that can open on Sundays, and in the evenings throughout the year. These businesses are also affected by the absence of foreign tourists, which play an important role for the French economy.

An Expanded Tourism Plan for Dynamic Businesses

The Tourism Plan is driven by various national players, such as BPI France, the Bank of Territories or the regions. The Ministries of Economy and Finance, as well as Public Accounts and Stocks, are also involved. France is a country where tourism is an economic pillar: it accounts for 9% of GDP and generates 2 million direct and indirect jobs. The country is a preferred destination for foreign tourists, attracted by Shopping and Gastronomy. Thus, Paris, or even metropolises like Bordeaux are preferred holiday destinations. Indeed, the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris attract 50 million visitors each year. In 2019, in Bordeaux, the airport received 7.7 million passengers, 60% of whom came from foreign countries. 6.35 million overnight stays were recorded, with 25% of foreigners. An increase of 3.6% over the previous year.

On the other hand, the share of national visitors is also increasing. In Bordeaux, an increase of 6.3% represents the nights booked by French people. Results showing that the appeal of metropolises and the capital is not only for foreign tourists. The International Tourist Zones rely on places of high attendance. They therefore concern Paris (12 ZTI and 6 stations) and some regional cities, notably in the South East of France (9 ZTI in the rest of the territory and 6 stations). For all non-food businesses in these areas, the Tourism Plan helps to boost the economy. 100% support for partial activity until 31 December 2020, for example, helps to maintain employment in this time of crisis. The solidarity fund also applies to companies with less than 50 employees with no turnover conditions.

Foreign travel departure
Tourism is one of the pillars of the French economy.

Uncertain economic and tourism situation in the region

The year 2020 will not have been the year of tourism. Studies suggest that future returns of foreign tourists will not be expected until the end of the first half of 2021. At issue is the closure of borders between certain countries or the desire to postpone his departure. Airlines such as Ryanair offer a free postponement of its trip, in order to leave in better conditions. This is a difficult situation for the tourist regions, but they console themselves with national tourism. Indeed, in Bordeaux, some establishments welcoming a rather foreign public feared a collapse of their activity. Among them, the Cité du Vin, a cultural emblem of Bordeaux’s heritage. This museum, whose foreign visitors are an engine, has been able to count on the support and visit of French visitors. This complements the Tourism Plan. (Bordeaux is not one of the ZTIs)

Offers to promote the arrival of local visitors allows cities to compensate in part for the lack of foreign visitors. In dynamic regions such as Bordeaux, tourism contributes to the development of the local economy. In order to promote local businesses of all kinds, the Tourism Plan provides an essential solution for the continuation of the activity. The recovery of the economy will not take six months, but the measures announced provide momentum. A dynamic always conditional, following the evolution of COVID-19 in the different territories…

Sources:

Press release – Trade Alliance – 9 October 2020

“The Trade Alliance welcomes the extension of tourism plan measures to non-food businesses located in the International Tourist Zone”

Official website – Tourism Relaunch Plan

Bordeaux Tourism – Tourism Activity Report – Year 2019 Bordeaux Tourism and Congress

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