In the Sud, positive results for tourism in July

A contrasted but promising summer

From July 1st to 31st, visitor numbers for French tourists experienced a slight decrease of 1.8%. Several factors explain this phenomenon, including the July 14th weekend falling on a Sunday, unlike the previous year when it coincided with a Friday. The legislative elections, which ended on July 7th, and the long holiday weekends in May may also have influenced these figures.

On the other hand, international vacationers were more numerous, recording a 7% increase compared to 2023, which was already a benchmark year for regional tourism. The last ten days of the month particularly benefited from the passage of the Tour de France and the start of the Olympic Games. European clientele came mainly from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and the United Kingdom. For long-haul clienteles, we note the presence of the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and Brazil.

These excellent results confirm the strategy of President Muselier, who fought for the Sud to host major international events from which the entire economy benefits.

In outdoor accommodation, campsite attendance was up in July, and the outlook for August looks to be in the same dynamic. These results bear witness to the attractiveness of our territory, especially since national attendance fell by 4% in July and August bookings are down by 3%.

The impact of major events

Urban hotels showed an occupancy rate of 81% in July 2024, a slight increase compared to 79% in 2023. This good result was largely boosted by the Côte d'Azur, which experienced historic occupancy rates in July thanks to the passage of the Tour de France. All categories of establishments are concerned. In Nice, the occupancy rate reached 89% in July. In Marseille, despite a more contrasted situation, the occupancy rate rose to 77%, an average of +4%.

The Sud region seems to benefit more from major events than other French regions. This phenomenon had already been observed in 2023 with the Rugby World Cup. The economic benefits of these events are considerable, approaching 400 million euros. The arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille generated 20 million euros in benefits, and the passage of the Tour de France on the Côte d'Azur, as well as in the Hautes-Alpes, attracted 300,000 people, two-thirds of whom stayed on site, generating around 20 million euros in economic benefits.

A year-round tourism strategy

The Sud region will host the Winter Games in 2030, which will represent an exceptional showcase for its mountains. Overall, attendance is rising in the region, particularly outside the high season, with a 4% increase between January and July. This is the result of a tourism policy that no longer focuses solely on the summer season.

On the contrary, the Région Sud encourages visitors to discover its territory throughout the year. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, it is possible to practice cycling, hiking, to discover its gastronomy, culture, heritage, and art of living 365 days a year. That is the Sud!