Tourism in Paris in downturn, months after attacks

Record ID: 103242

  • Title: Tourism in Paris in downturn, months after attacks
  • Date: 17th May 2016
  • Summary: SAINT DENIS, FRANCE (FILE - FEBRUARY 6, 2016) (REUTERS) FANS WALKING UP TO STADE DE FRANCE, WHERE ONE OF THE NOVEMBER 13 ATTACKS TOOK PLACE, BEFORE RUGBY GAME FANS WALKING UP TO STADIUM POLICEMEN OUTSIDE
  • Embargoed: 1st June 2016 14:52
  • Keywords: security Bataclan tourists hotels Eiffel Tower Euro soccer tournament 2016
  • Location: PARIS AND SAINT DENIS, FRANCE
  • City: PARIS AND SAINT DENIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,International/National Security
  • Reuters ID: LVA0024I74VNR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: When Islamist militants launched coordinated attacks across Paris six months ago, it sent shudders through the tourism sector.
    130 people were killed in locations popular among foreigners. 89 of those fatalities were at the Bataclan, a music venue that was hosting an American band.
    The French capital is one of the most visited cities in the world, hosting 32.2 million visitors in 2014. But hospitality research group MKG said hotel activity is down in the French capital by 12 percent.
    Some tourists, however, said they were too mesmerised by sights like the Eiffel Tower to worry about security.
    "When it happened, it was scary at first. But I'd still want to go to Paris, it's one of the nicest cities in the world. So even if something happens here, it's not gonna stop me from travelling to the city to see the Eiffel Tower there. Nothing's more beautiful than that," Canadian tourist Danny Appleby said.
    "I'm still a bit scared the whole time, but I'm still enjoying every minute," German tourist Lara Rimparis said.
    France has been on high alert since the January 2015 attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a kosher supermarket, where Islamist gunmen killed 17 people.
    Police presence has intensified in sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum and around many of Paris' main metro stations.
    "It seems to be very secure, and you seem to be taking measures into hand," another Canadian tourist, Ken West Dorp, said.
    The research firm MKG said that the November attacks have cost Paris hoteliers an estimated 200 million euros ($226 million) in lost revenue from January to April 2016.
    Georges Panayotis, president of MKG, said that while Paris hotel activity is in decline, occupancy is up by 10 percent in the countryside, putting the overall decline across France at 1 percent.
    In fact, hotel revenues outside the Paris region are up by 100 million euros ($113 million).
    "It is true that despite all these events, the tourism and hotel sector are in a rather good state. We must understand as well that during the same months, you have a sensitive situation in all of Europe, and in the capitals. In France, this is true, it is suffering from the events but it is not just that," Panayotis said.
    He added that the decline in Paris hotel revenues is affected more by a slowdown in long-haul tourism.
    "It's true that we can criticise the government, the local authority, but there are positive points too. I think in terms of security and defence, France showed that it is in control, and I think today, the whole world knows that," Panayotis said.
    The Euro 2016 soccer tournament, which will kick off in June, trade fairs, and improving economic conditions in parts of Europe should also help hotel room demand this year, MKG said.
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