Sequoiasoft, a French company specialising in the creation of management software for the country’s accommodation industry, has published its “Online Reservations Barometer” for March 2023. An overview of the trend in Internet bookings through the eSeason Resa system reflects the situation of the French outdoor hotel industry. The analysis looked at bookings in March 2023 and is based on a selection of 700 French campsites. The first figure is an increase of 6.2 per cent in bookings and 4.1 per cent in turnover. Despite this, the trend remains 2 per cent lower than in March 2022, due to the uncertain economic situation and the various strikes in France. Indicators reported that 78% of bookings were made by French customers in March 2023 compared to 80% in March 2022 and that pitches accounted for 21% of bookings in March 2023 compared to 18% in March 2022.
The podium of the regions with the most bookings
Hérault is the French region in first place, followed by Vendée, but Var has risen to third place. Indre, Haute-Vienne, and Côte-d’Or remain the least popular departments. In the ranking of the 15 destinations favoured by tourists, it can be seen that the Pyrénées-Orientales has risen to the podium to the detriment of the Var. In general, the areas that have received more bookings than in 2022 are Vendée, Pyrénées-Orientales – Charente-Maritime, Finistère, Corsica, Morbihan, Dordogne. Those, on the other hand, in less demand: LeVar. Gard, Ardèche, Loir-et-Che. Parisians are more interested in campsites, especially those in the Vendée and the Mediterranean.
Index of internet bookings between October 1st and March 31
A second analysis looked at a longer period from October 1st to March 31 and showed an initial slowdown in Internet bookings in February, which then picked up in March. Overall, the trend in Internet bookings remains 20.5% up on 2022 and 22.4% up on 2022. But there is still the unknown factor of inflation and the problematic political period to make the 2023 season uncertain and therefore worthy of continued attention by operators. In terms of holiday type and duration, the average rental basket is still growing (+3.9%) compared to 2022, while that for pitches remains down by 4%. The average length of stay remains in decline. In general, stays continue to decline, and more markedly so for pitch stays.
Reservation trend from other European countries
Foreign bookings remain stable and accounted for 36% of bookings at the end of March, compared to 33% in 2022. Dutch tourists are ahead of 2022 (+2 points), as are Spanish and Irish customers. Thus, the slowdown in bookings observed since February is explained by the decline in Internet bookings by French customers. Despite this, French bookings are still up 14% compared to 2022. On the foreign front, the Dutch, British, Swiss, and Italian markets managed to maintain an increase of over 40% compared to 2022.
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