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| Europe |
| French tourism under pressure |
| 2003-08-05 |
| Figures just released for July - an important month for the tourism sector - show that visitor rates are down by an average of 20% on 2002. "It’s true that July was a weak month," Tourism Minister Gilles de Robien said. Forest fires have hit business in the south-eastern Riviera region, while the oil of the sunken tanker Prestige has blighted the beaches of the south-west for months. I’m still hoping for locusts. "It is true that in the south-east and the south-west, there are fewer tourists, especially foreigners," Mr de Robien said, although he was hopeful August and September would make up for the shortfall. A strike over welfare payments by art performers led to the cancellation of the season’s top two arts festivals -in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence - damaging France’s image in the process. One central problem, reports say, is the drop in American visitors, who are staying away because of the Franco-US rift over the war on Iraq and a weak dollar. The sharp rise in the value of the euro has also meant American buying power in Europe has been drastically reduced. I still haven’t seen any reports on American tourists avoiding Europe totally, just France. Hotels, restaurants and museums in their main destinations - Paris, the Riviera and the World War II landing beaches in Normandy - have reported a big drop in US visitors, Liberation newspaper reported last week. According to the official figures, the Germans and visitors from Asia, especially Japan, have also been shunning trips to France compared to last year. And British visitors have been unusually scarce - especially from the Dordogne region they are fond of. Snicker |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #12 The tourist numbers being down is simply a result of ... their country stabbed in the back during a time of war Oh how I wish it were so. But somehow I don't think many Americans think in such terms, not in such big numbers that would make a difference anyway. I think the drop in tourism applies in general and not just France, because it is a shit time to travel. In difficult times people stay home. "france could be fined for fiscal irresponsibility." Classic example of what the EU is all about. I think you are refering to the EU rule that governments cannot run a deficit greater than 3% of their GDP. Well, since rules are made to be broken, the big 3 (FR,DE,IT) have no qualms about breaking them. Haven't checked the stats recently, but a few months ago they were on their way past the 3% mark. It's ok I guess since it's not really clear that France et al. would ever be fined for this anyway. Go Dutchman!! |
| Posted by: Raphael 2003-8-5 7:40:41 PM |
| #11 The tourist numbers being down is simply a result of people not liking being insulted, their country stabbed in the back during a time of war, and witnessing underhanded and misleading dealing in the political, economic, military, and well, all arenas. The French have a sick society and they think that they have a seller's market because they know everything. The absolutely amazing thing is that the government just does not have a clue as to what is going on. So they try to strongarm everyone in the EU so they can get their way. I saw an article recently about some Dutchman going after france in the EU because the French debt is too high and france could be fined for fiscal irresponsibility. It will be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out with france. Tourism decline is only the tip of the |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-8-5 3:35:29 PM |
| #10 Irony perhaps? If President Chirac had only followed his own advice to the newest members of the EU. (to paraphrase) "You missed a good opportunity to keep your trap shut." MUAH HAHAHAHAHA. Hey France, would you like a little cheese with that whine of yours? |
| Posted by: Paul 2003-8-5 3:08:41 PM |
| #9 A previous post on same topic stated American tourism down in France,up in Spain.If I remember right,French Premier opposed US in Iraq,Spanish Premier supported US.Hmmmmmmm... |
| Posted by: Stephen 2003-8-5 2:08:03 PM |
| #8 The fact that German numbers are down might have to do with the fact that we refuse to be charged 15 Euros for a beer in a café on the Champs Elysees. And no, that doesn't include tips or... horribile dictu... a smile. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-8-5 1:57:09 PM |
| #7 Why not a Dane or three? The Vikings did it once before, they can do it again! Woooo! GO, DENMARK! GO, NORWAY! Invade Phrance! Ed Becerra |
| Posted by: Ed Becerra 2003-8-5 1:10:08 PM |
| #6 Things are getting bad when the Germans are refusing to travel to France. Maybe the Bulgarians are interested in invading? The Moldavans? The odd Lett ot two? |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-8-5 11:46:33 AM |
| #5 France for a lovely vacation? I can find rude sh--heads right here at home, to take my money and treat me like dirt, The democratic party! |
| Posted by: wills 2003-8-5 11:14:13 AM |
| #4 I'm sure the Germans are turning out in low numbers because of the weak dollar as well. |
| Posted by: Yank 2003-8-5 10:47:54 AM |
| #3 A strike over welfare payments by art performers led to the cancellation of the season’s top two arts festivals -in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence - damaging France’s image in the process. Is there anybody over there who isn't on the government tit? We see these stories just about every day. I never cease to enjoy them. And they don't seem to have a clue why it's happening, which makes them even better. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-8-5 10:24:14 AM |
| #2 "There was an earthquake! A fire! A terrible flood! IT"S NOT MY FAULT!!" |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-8-5 10:07:06 AM |
| #1 I hope they're not watching the statistics closely in anticipation of an upturn. We're planning a trip for my son's high school class for next summer, and the trip to Spain this summer is being followed by a trip to England, Wales, and Ireland next summer. My son will NEVER see France on my tab. |
| Posted by: Tom 2003-8-5 9:35:31 AM |