In Bordeaux, the merchants of rue Saint-Rémi used, until two years ago, to see these cruise passengers pass in groups in front of their shops. “A whole herdrecalls Jocelyne, who runs a soap store. The caps, the sunglasses, the camera…” But since the Covid, these images had become memories. Well these tourists, Jocelyne will find them. This year, for the first time since 2019, cruise season resumes as normal. The first two boats are due to arrive this Tuesday, April 19 in Bordeaux-Centre: the Spirit of Adventure, and the Amera. There will be 34 throughout the season at Bordeaux-Centre. In total, 51 liners will dock at the port of Bordeaux, as a whole. Figures equivalent to before Covid.
Nearly 40,000 cruise passengers expected over the season
The cruise sector, including ocean liners and river ships, still represents nearly 40,000 visitors. “Of the four million tourists who come to us each year, this is not huge, but it is not negligible either., contrasts the president of the Bordeaux Métropole Tourist Office, Brigitte Bloch. Then the chosen one adds: “On these boats, it is often _CSP+, holidaymakers who spend_.”
– Lise Dussault
Thus, for traders, it is too early to know the fallout. But the return of these big boats creates an excitement, which does a lot of good for the whole tourist sector: “These are feelings that we had not felt for a while, admits Guillaume, manager of four shops rue Saint-Rémi. Joy, happiness…” Anna she will have to remember his English lessons. She runs L’Echoppe de la lune, a delicatessen on the quay where river cruise ships dock.
I’ve had time to go over my visits over the past two years
For them, the season has already resumed since March. “I see foreign customers in my shop againrejoices Anna. The other day, one of them said “Hello” to me. At the time, I did not know what to answer, I said to myself “There Anna, we will have to get back to it!”” So far, she has already seen Americans, Germans and Spaniards.
But the happiest of all is undoubtedly Yanecke Dufourquet, tourist guide in the territory of Bordeaux and its vineyards. It works 70% with cruise lines. For the first time in two years, his schedule is full again: “This morning I was with tourists from a river boat. A lot of Americans, but also Mexicans, South Africans, there were almost eight different nationalities. I showed them around Saint-Emilion.” Over the past two seasons, the guide has taken care of herself as best she could: “I studied, studied my visits a lot. It must be said that I had time!” She will be able to relate these enriched visits to the first cruise passengers of the season. Yannecke will take care of one of the two boats scheduled for April 19, with quite a few Germans in particular.