The Arab Spring still weighs on tourism
The Arab Spring still weighs on tourism
A little over a year after the start of the Arab Spring, the activity of French tour operators is difficult in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, which are historically the three preferred destinations of French travel. From November through February, package tour sales (flight + accommodation) in North Africa accuse a decline of 26.6%, according to Ceto, the association of French tour operators, announced Thursday at the World Tourism Fair . "Egypt is - 32%, Morocco to - 29% and Tunisia - 1%, says René-Marc Chikli, president of Ceto. These three countries are penalized by the Arab Spring. Fortunately, some long-haul destinations such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Asia, are used to limit the damage. " According to him, all destinations winter will end at best stable sales but traffic expected to fall by 5 to 8%. This is the tendency to end of February (stable volumes, down 5.3% in the number of passengers, but 5.6% increase in average spending to 1253 euros). "Then it is the total uncertainty for the summer, except for the club package, which are the only progress," says René-Marc Chikli.
"Last year, we lost 500,000 French customers over 2010, a record year, with 1.4 million tourists, laments Hachani Amel, director of the Office of Tunisian tourism in France. The decline in revenue was similar, about 40%. "
Competition from Spain
This decline has sealed the French tourism professionals because Tunisia was a popular destination for families attracted packages often at very competitive prices. Cautious for 2012 presidential election year and economic crisis in France, Amel Hachani notes, however, a marked improvement after the record low of early 2011. "In February, the number of French visitors increased by 65% compared to February 2011, provides this specialist. This figure is still down compared to the same period of 2010, but we are starting to catch up. Our goal is to recover by 2013 the level of 2010, while increasing revenue by developing more high-end products. "
The situation is different in Morocco, a market that escapes more tour operators, the French tend to fend for themselves for a few days in the country, especially in Marrakech. "We had 3.3 million French tourists in 2011, 1% less than in 2010, says Saad Bezzate, director of the Moroccan National Tourist Office in France. This resilience is due to the growth of individual customers, which now represents 70% of visitors. The activity of tour operators, she dropped 10 to 15% in 2011. "
Considering that Spain is the destination that makes the most of competition in Morocco, Saad Bezzate expects 2012 "difficult". "Our clientele is more upper class, he says. We do not casserons prices, it's not a winning policy over the long term "According Ceto, if Morocco topped the best-selling destinations in February, the destination is still far from the levels of 2011 (. - 35.4% for package tour sales). Tunisia (+ 155.5%) and Egypt (+ 260%) taking off, but after an unprecedented slump in early 2011. "We have a positive base effect on Tunisia and Egypt, but not on Morocco, "says a spokesman for the Club Med.
"Summer bookings have started well in Tunisia, particularly in Djerba, says Rachel Picard for his part, Executive Director of Thomas Cook France. But you will not find 2010 levels this year. To Morocco, it also remains below normal activity. But the most difficult situation in Egypt in terms of sales and it will take at least two years for the destination finds its stride. "These three countries had accounted for 40% of customers of Thomas Cook France in 2010.
A little over a year after the start of the Arab Spring, the activity of French tour operators is difficult in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, which are historically the three preferred destinations of French travel. From November through February, package tour sales (flight + accommodation) in North Africa accuse a decline of 26.6%, according to Ceto, the association of French tour operators, announced Thursday at the World Tourism Fair . "Egypt is - 32%, Morocco to - 29% and Tunisia - 1%, says René-Marc Chikli, president of Ceto. These three countries are penalized by the Arab Spring. Fortunately, some long-haul destinations such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Asia, are used to limit the damage. " According to him, all destinations winter will end at best stable sales but traffic expected to fall by 5 to 8%. This is the tendency to end of February (stable volumes, down 5.3% in the number of passengers, but 5.6% increase in average spending to 1253 euros). "Then it is the total uncertainty for the summer, except for the club package, which are the only progress," says René-Marc Chikli.
"Last year, we lost 500,000 French customers over 2010, a record year, with 1.4 million tourists, laments Hachani Amel, director of the Office of Tunisian tourism in France. The decline in revenue was similar, about 40%. "
Competition from Spain
This decline has sealed the French tourism professionals because Tunisia was a popular destination for families attracted packages often at very competitive prices. Cautious for 2012 presidential election year and economic crisis in France, Amel Hachani notes, however, a marked improvement after the record low of early 2011. "In February, the number of French visitors increased by 65% compared to February 2011, provides this specialist. This figure is still down compared to the same period of 2010, but we are starting to catch up. Our goal is to recover by 2013 the level of 2010, while increasing revenue by developing more high-end products. "
The situation is different in Morocco, a market that escapes more tour operators, the French tend to fend for themselves for a few days in the country, especially in Marrakech. "We had 3.3 million French tourists in 2011, 1% less than in 2010, says Saad Bezzate, director of the Moroccan National Tourist Office in France. This resilience is due to the growth of individual customers, which now represents 70% of visitors. The activity of tour operators, she dropped 10 to 15% in 2011. "
Considering that Spain is the destination that makes the most of competition in Morocco, Saad Bezzate expects 2012 "difficult". "Our clientele is more upper class, he says. We do not casserons prices, it's not a winning policy over the long term "According Ceto, if Morocco topped the best-selling destinations in February, the destination is still far from the levels of 2011 (. - 35.4% for package tour sales). Tunisia (+ 155.5%) and Egypt (+ 260%) taking off, but after an unprecedented slump in early 2011. "We have a positive base effect on Tunisia and Egypt, but not on Morocco, "says a spokesman for the Club Med.
"Summer bookings have started well in Tunisia, particularly in Djerba, says Rachel Picard for his part, Executive Director of Thomas Cook France. But you will not find 2010 levels this year. To Morocco, it also remains below normal activity. But the most difficult situation in Egypt in terms of sales and it will take at least two years for the destination finds its stride. "These three countries had accounted for 40% of customers of Thomas Cook France in 2010.
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