François de Canson: 'An exceptional start to the season'!

It is time to take stock in the region. 'Over the entire period (from December 21 to January 5), tourist attendance in the region is up by +4% for extra-regional French tourists and +9% concerning the international clientele. This increase in attendance is linked to a very good dynamic during the New Year's week,' welcomes François de Canson, vice-president of the Région Sud.

EXCEPTIONAL OCCUPANCY RATE

The president of the Comité Régional de Tourisme adds: 'Tourists from Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes represented more than half of French holidaymakers during the period. The 3 main international clienteles are Italie, Allemagne and Suisse. In the Alpes du Sud, the favorable weather allowed commercial accommodation to achieve an occupancy rate of over 80%, up by +3% compared to last year! A great dynamic was observed during the New Year's week with over 90% occupancy. In the Hautes-Alpes, the 27 resorts were almost fully booked during the Christmas holidays, with over 500,000 tourists welcomed. An exceptional start to the season! The vallée de l’Ubaye also records visitor records. These very good results are encouraging as the region prepares to host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games 2030, obtained thanks to the determination of president Renaud Muselier'. Furthermore, in regional hotels, the occupancy rate (from December 21 to 31) stands at 51%, stable compared to last year but with an increase of more than 6 points on December 31 with 75% occupancy (positioned on a Tuesday compared to a Sunday last year). In the second week, an increase of +7 points compared to last year was observed. Finally, a record occupancy was noted in Nice during the New Year with 93%. And, in rentals, overnight stays increased by +12% over the holiday period, including +10% on Saint-Sylvestre evening.

EXCELLENT SKI RESULTS

Over the entire holidays, attendance in the Alpes du Sud is up by +9% for international clientele and +1% for French tourists. Thus, we note an increase from Royaume-Uni, Pays-Bas, Allemagne and represent Espagne. In short-term rentals, an increase of +8% in overnight stays was recorded, particularly during the second week (+22%). 'In the Hautes-Alpes, the mild weather and good snow cover during these two weeks favored the attendance rate. 20% of the season's turnover was achieved during this period,' specifies Yvan Chaix, director of the ADT 05. According to merchants, the second week of school holidays is a record in terms of crowds and consumption. In Orcières, the resort recorded very good attendance, equivalent to last year's, which was already exceptional. The New Year's week bordered on records with an accommodation occupancy rate of 97%. Ski lifts saw results higher than last year, confirming the resort's appeal. 'In Risoul, the resort also benefited from a very strong increase, of around 18%, in the number of skier passages and days. This is a very encouraging assessment, which launches the season on very good bases,' confirms Christian André, director of the Office de tourisme de Risoul, whose ski lifts recorded an 8% increase in turnover. 'In Sauze, over the entire fifteen days of holidays, we noted a 47% increase in turnover compared to last year. This is the best start of the last three winters,' rejoices Yvan Chevalier, the director of the Ubaye Ski authority. In Pra-Loup, the second week experienced excellent attendance, confirming the resort's appeal during the holidays. The ski lift authority ended with a 3% increase in turnover compared to last year, a performance all the more notable since 2023 had already been a record year. In Sainte-Anne, the resort recorded a new record in 2024. 27% precisely, has already been achieved over this first school holiday period. A historic start to the season for the domain. In the Alpes Maritimes, in Isola 2000, Auron and Valberg, the occupancy rate was 70% during the first week of holidays and 95% during the second, although not all slopes were open.