in seaside campsites, an “almost generalized” increase in attendance thanks to good weather and last minute reservations

Considered by professionals to be the biggest weekend of spring, Ascension weekend kept its promises, particularly in coastal campsites.

After a long and sunny Ascension weekend, it is time to take stock for the tourism sector. “It’s always the biggest weekend of spring”says Nicolas Dayot, president of the Outdoor Hotel Federation (FNHPA), on franceinfo on Sunday May 12.

This year, reservations worked particularly well at the last minute thanks to the good weather. “There are regions which were not necessarily very far in advance in reservations compared to a normal Ascension weekend, but which managed to fill up thanks to the last minute”, according to him. He notices an increase in attendance “almost generalized”especially by the sea.

Attendance has increased even more for campsites directly on the seaside. “There, it was almost full in mobile homes” : the establishments were filled up to 70%, or even entirely according to Nicolas Dayot. He also says that attendance has been very good in the hinterland, “even if it’s a little less spectacular than on the coast”.

However, the president of the FNHPA underlines “two flats”. “Corsica, where attendance is good but nothing more, without really knowing why. Some sometimes talk about the cost of transport, but it’s difficult to say”, he explains first. He also mentions the center of the country, notably the Val-de-Loire: “As it has rained a lot in recent days, before the weekend, there are campsites which have limited attendance because the pitches were not really passable”.

Summer under good auspices with an Olympic effect

After this “first real departure”, the sector is already starting to make its estimates for the summer holidays. Nicolas Dayot explains that at the beginning of April, the outdoor hotel industry is doing well. “This trend is confirmed, notably with a good dynamic of bare locations, undoubtedly for reasons of purchasing power”developed. “And it would also be confirmed that the return of Europeans would indeed be there, which would undoubtedly allow us to return to the pre-Covid proportion of Europeans, that is to say a third of the nights generated by our local tourists outside the borders of France.” In order, the Dutch, Germans and Belgians are those who have booked the most in France for the moment.

The dynamic is also influenced by the Paris Olympic Games this year. “This clearly changes the situation for campsites in Île-de-France which are obviously already full for the heart of summer”, rejoices Nicolas Dayot. He nuances: “In other regions, it is not as marked as that, to the extent that we are a little far from the areas where there will be tests.”