A little warning bell for the French outdoor hospitality industry. According to a survey conducted by Septeo Hospitality – a software publisher for the hotel, restaurant, spa, and outdoor hospitality sectors – bookings fell slightly in May. The survey covered a sample of 1,140 French establishments equipped with the eSeason Resa Internet booking system and was conducted from May 1st to May 31st, 2024.
The analysis results showed a 1% decrease in internet bookings: the recorded rate is 68% compared to 69% in 2023. This is the first decline after the slowdowns already seen in March and April. However, business volume is still growing (+5%) compared to May 2023. The average family spending also decreased due to shorter stays (€655 compared to €711 in March).
Divided by nationality, French clients dominate, representing 72% of the bookings, followed by German clients (7%), Dutch (6%), Belgian (4%), and Spanish (3%). The distribution of online bookings by type of accommodation sees rentals firmly in the lead with 68% compared to 32% for pitches, while the favorite destinations remain the departments of Hérault, Vandea, and Landes. Other interesting data concern the average online booking value, which, despite everything, remains up compared to the 2023 season: rentals show a +4.5% and pitches a +0.3%.
Now, we await the analysis of June’s data to understand the trend for summer 2024: it is certain, in fact, that recent political decisions leading to the dissolution of the National Assembly and the consequent elections have had repercussions on the tourism sector and the start of the summer season.
Image by Gerd Altmann
Outdoor tourism in Veneto: April data and reservations for the summer are very positive