French Tourism Sees Holiday Boost Despite Industry Challenges

The 'double effect' of the Olympics and festive season drives tourism growth, but political instability and structural issues leave hospitality professionals concerned.

• Tourism in France has experienced a significant boost during the 2024 holiday season, with hotel reservations up 2.2% nationwide and 9% in Paris, driven by the Olympic Games' lingering impact and festive travel demand.
• Despite the recent uptick, the hospitality sector has faced an atypical year marked by declines in business during the summer Olympics and uncertainty caused by political instability following the dissolution of France's National Assembly.
• Thierry Marx, president of the Union of Hospitality Trades and Industries (Umih), highlights persistent recruitment challenges in the sector, emphasizing the importance of supporting apprenticeship programs to attract new talent.
• Marx has called for the creation of a French or European hotel booking platform to reduce reliance on global platforms like Booking.com, which take significant commissions from businesses.
• The Umih has also proposed a new 'title alimentation' initiative to address losses caused by misuse of meal vouchers and has mobilized aid efforts for cyclone-affected populations in Mayotte.

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