The number of overnight stays from January 1, 2022 until the end of August is 11.6 million. A figure up 9% compared to 2019, the reference year before the covid crisis.
The Return of the Strangers
Foreigners represent a third of the clientele in Ardèche. Their number is up by 23% compared to 2019. The trio is still the same: Dutch, Germans, Belgians.
Spring was very good with a few weekends (Easter, Ascension) when attendance was high. Accommodation occupancy was also very good in July and August.
On the other hand, the average basket of tourists, what they consume on site, fell sharply in July. Several restaurants have observed this, as have certain sites. Should we see the effects of the heat waves which followed one another in Ardèche as in the whole country? This is the hypothesis put forward by the president of the tourist development agency (ADT) Jean-Yves Meyer.
Do we want to make a terrace when it’s 40°? Nope ! Jean-Yves Meyer, president of the tourism development agency.
On the contrary, certain sites such as the caves benefited from these high temperatures.
The Ardèche mountains benefit from this good season
The strongest increase in the number of tourists is for the Ardèche mountains. Climate tourism analyzes the ADT. Customers preferred lower temperatures, especially at night, to spend their holidays. The north of the department is also experiencing good progress, even if the South Ardèche remains the main destination in terms of volume.