A holiday to disconnect, while keeping an eye on the wallet. About 60% of French people intend to go on vacation this summer, selon a CSA study for Cofidis. A stable figure compared to 2019, the reference year before the health crisis. But as inflation exceeded in May the 5% mark over one yearthem vacationers go remain attentive to their expenses, and 64% of them even plan to restrict their budget. On average, they plan to spend 1,641 euros, which is 124 euros less than in 2019.
Transport, accommodation, leisure and outings… Franceinfo has scrutinized the rise in prices for the main goods and services related to holidays.
Transport, the first item of holiday spending, is the most affected by inflation
“Lhe first item of expenditure for the French in terms of holidays is that of transport”reminds franceinfo Sandra Hoibian, Director General of the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Crédoc). The specialist in tourism-related issues specifies that the majority of holiday trips are made by car.
Despite the discount of 18 cents at the pump set up by the government, the explosion in fuel prices will therefore weigh heavily on these households. According to the latest data from INSEE, in May, diesel had jumped 35.2% in one year, against 24.2% for gasoline. On July 8, diesel and unleaded 95 were both close to 2 euros per liter, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Costs that push holidaymakers to make trade-offs to limit their spending.
“We can assume that there will be departures closer to home and that the French will limit the number of places they go on vacation, in order to reduce their travel.”
Sandra Hoibian, general manager of Crédocat franceinfo
Travelers who opt for another mode of transport will also suffer the consequences of inflation. According to INSEE, the “rail transport of passengers by train” saw its prices inflate by 12.1% over one year. A figure, however, disputed by the SNCF, which claims that its prices have dropped by 7% since June 2021. The railway company relies on data and a methodology different from Insee.
Contrary to the statistical institute, the SNCF does not base itself on the prices offered, but on the “average basket” of its customers. However, a passenger who books his trip in advance will actually pay less, which does not mean that the price of train tickets in general is falling. Finally, if the SNCF denies any increase in its prices this year, it nevertheless recognizes that an increase in the price list in 2023 is on the table.
In the air, the price of flights took off by 19.3% in one year, with a more marked increase for international flights (+ 22.2%) than domestic flights (+ 11.9%), according to the ‘Insee. In question, the rise in energy prices which does not spare kerosene, fuel for aircraft. Now, this “post weighs a quarter” airline expenses, recalled in April on franceinfo Marc Rochet, general manager of Air Caraïbes. “We are therefore obliged to pass on part of this increase” on ticket prices, he conceded. After two years of pandemic and health restrictions, strong demand is also pushing prices up.
In accommodation, a more marked increase for hotels and all-inclusive stays
In terms of accommodation services, holidaymakers will also have to deal with higher hotel prices, which rose by more than 17% compared to May 2021, according to INSEE. “In May 2021, we were emerging from a crisis where there were no customers, our prices were at the level of the daisies”nuance however Laurent Duc, president of the hotel branch of Union of trades and hotel industries (Umih). The increase is indeed less marked compared to May 2019: +13.2%.
These increases are partly explained by the increase in hotel charges, which were also affected by soaring energy prices. In parallel, dSince April, branch agreements have established a average increase of 16.33% in the salary scale in the hotel and catering industry. In this context, and after two difficult years linked to the health crisis, the CEO of Accor, Sébastien Bazin recently called on the hoteliers of his group to “frankly raise their prices”.
“We are exhausted in the hotel industry, but we cannot increase our prices as much as we would like, because we are in competition with Airbnb, with tourist furnished rentals, tourist residences…”
Laurent Duc, president of the hotel branch of Umihat franceinfo
However, hotel stays are not very popular with holidaymakers. In 2019, only 8% of tourist nights were spent in hotels, according to INSEE. “High incomes are those who are most likely to book in a hotel or take a tourist package”, comments Sandra Hoibian. In May, the price of tourist packages, that is to say all-inclusive stays (travel, accommodation, food, etc.) such as cruises and organized trips, rose by more than 23% over one year.
Most French people who book holiday accommodation turn to house or apartment rentals, gîtes, bed and breakfasts or even campsites. According to INSEE data, these housing solutions represented two-thirds of tourist nights in commercial accommodation in 2019.
The price of holiday rentals has risen by 7.2% over the year, according to a study by the rental platform PAP Vacances (PDF link), made from the prices charged on its site. With a more marked increase for houses (7.3%) than apartments (+5.2%). The prices of campsites, rural lodges, and holiday villages and clubs have remained stable over the last twelve months (-1% in May compared to May 2021, according to INSEE). Camping prices have no “not really” increased, support with franceinfo Nicolas Dayot. The president of the National Outdoor Hotel Federation is expecting one of the best summer seasons in the“history of the campsite”.
“Compared to June 2021, we are at 21% more reservations in 2022. We should be heading towards a record summer.”
Nicolas Dayot, President of the National Outdoor Hotel Federationon franceinfo
Faced with rising prices, many French people have actually chosen less expensive solutions, such as camping. “It is also likely that a party is cutting corners on the duration of the trip”, adds Sandra Hoibian. Finally, staying with family or friends remains the preferred option for holidaymakers. In 2019, non-commercial accommodation, with relatives or in a second home, already accounted for nearly 60% of tourist overnight stays. “This is not a new phenomenon, but it has been reinforced during the health crisis”comments Sandra Hoibian.
Prices for leisure and outings remain stable overall
Finally, inflation is less marked for outings and leisure. The price of museums and zoos rose 1.8% between May 2021 and May 2022, and remained rather stable (-0.8%) for cinemas, theaters and concerts. On the other hand, the increase is a little greater in restaurants and cafés: +4.3% over the period.
Like the hotel industry, catering is also affected by the recent increase in the salary scale. In parallel, “costs of goods are exploding”, adds Hubert Jan, president of the catering branch of Umih. The prices of meat, cereals and vegetables have jumped in recent months, as a result of the war in Ukraine. A situation that forces some restaurateurs to revise the prices of their menus upwards.
“Rising prices is the only way to absorb these cost increases. Restaurant owners must be able to explain to customers why the menu is increasing.”
Hubert Jan, president of the catering branch of Umihat franceinfo
To preserve their wallet, holidaymakers could limit dining out and paid leisure activities. Thus, those who plan to reduce their vacation budget are 56% to want to reduce their catering and food costs, and 42% their expenses related to leisure activities, according to the CSA survey. “LVacationers will of course try to find ways to have a good time without spending too much”analyzes Sandra Hoibian. “But it is more likely that they first cut back on the duration of the trip or the distance to keep a form of letting go and not be frustrated during the holidays”nuance the tourism specialist.