Other forms of accommodation were however less successful

The scenario that the European crisis requires, seek more change of scenery within their national boundaries, is true. With regard to the hexagon in any case where, since the start of the season, all of the major summer destinations tourism professionals note the presence of higher than in July 2008 domestique customer. A fairly positive judgement on this first part of the season which draws to an end and optimism for the month of August.

PACA, the satisfaction rate of these professionals on the level of attendance (77) exceeds that even (74) of the year last at the same time. One in three only considers that the crisis weighs on activity. Same trend in Aquitaine, Brittany and, to a lesser extent, in the Pays de la Loire. Outdoor hotel is is particularly well with campgrounds still better filled than a year ago. In Languedoc-Roussillon, "all display full", indicates a professional in this area.

Other forms of accommodation were, however, less successful. The Regional Committee of tourism of Aquitaine reported "a difficult season start" for hotels and apartments in La Baule and in Poitou-Charentes region. "This year, in July, we had available chambres, which is not the case usually", reflects on the Richelieu, a four star hotel on the island of Ré. The basque coast and the Côte d'Azur is in sortent better than expected. The palaces of Cannes and Nice benefit including the early arrival of Middle Eastern customer for cause of ramadan late August.

But elsewhere or presque, hotels and deposits suffer the reflux of the foreign customer, that the crisis holds more readily in it. The image of the phenomenon that affects the Spain (read page 21), the British are particularly expected in the Southwest (except in Dordogne), on the Côte d'Azur and Brittany, where they are often the more present. The Americans, too, begin to be counted and the Russians, whose holiday ignite the Côte d'Azur, have become a little less visible.

Preferred pure recreation

This defection, if it is confirmed in August, is likely to be detrimental. According to the Regional Committee of tourism of Paca, the Anglo-Saxon customer is not only the largest (a quarter of the 20 of foreign tourists), but also the largest: 70 euros per day, against 50 euros for the French. The foodservice sector could be felt, unless the VAT decrease the expected effects. In fact, tourists of hexagonal origin, but also the foreigners prefer pure leisure spending. A trend illustrated best by the Auvergne (read below), including the offer of tourist products presents a quality-price ratio that adjusts on the budgets and expectations of families. Some Alpine stations, relying on the "nature recreation" or populaires events, such as the world of bowls of Saint-François - Longchamp, also derive their PIN of the game. Prize giveaway (up to 50) charged by the residences of tourism Savoyard and top-Savoy also helped limit case-sensitive in July (-12 decrease).

Finally, another sign that visitors, French or not, are not ready to tighten the belt on all, attendance of the Futuro-scope is an increase of 10 compared to July 2008. The Eiffel Tower, with 25,000 to 30,000 entries a day, it only in July 2008, which was a record as well.