If the clouds linked to the Covid-19 crisis have dissipated, others are piling up for the tourism sector. After a summer of 2022 marked by a strong recovery in traveldespite inflation and rising prices, particularly fuel, strikes in the airline industry, or even parity between the euro and the dollar, the summer of 2022 will remain “ a reference said René-Marc Chikli, president of SETO (Syndicat des Entreprises du Tour Operating), during a press conference in Paris on Monday.
Despite difficulties to manage for tour operatorssuch as flight delays or cancellations, “ this summer, demand remained strong and never faltered », stresses René-Marc Chikli. ” It feels like we’ve finally gotten out of the tunnel. We had a good summer, for some even better than 2019.»
The late season and the start of the winter season are also off to a good start. Over the September-December period, travel customers are still present and tour operators say to themselves ” confident » until the Christmas holidays. Over the September-October period, travel bookings in physical agencies or online are down slightly (-13%), but up in terms of turnover (+4%) compared to 2019, another year of reference. ” There are slightly fewer customers in number, but the volume of business is up “Summarizes Jean-Pierre Mas, president of Entreprises du Voyage (EDV), a professional association which brings together French travel agencies in particular.
Thailand opens its doors wide
Among the popular destinations on long-haul flights: the Dominican Republic (+31%), which taken very strong initiatives to maintain tourist activity during the peak of the pandemic, such as free antigen tests for tourists at the beginning and end of their stay. LMauritius (+85%), the West Indies, Mexico and Senegal are particularly attractive.
On medium-haul, Spain, Greece, Tunisia and Morocco are among the destinations in high demand in this late season. Compared to 2019, medium-haul destinations are preferred. ” They represent 66% of sales compared to 56% in 2019 “says Jean-Pierre Mas. While most countries have reopened their borders, tourists continue to favor relatively close travel.
Asian countries, long closed, are trying to reposition themselves on the market, like Thailand, which has only reopened its borders since the beginning of July. To attract tourists, the country offers to let visitors enter its territory, without a visa, for a period of 45 days, from October 1 to the end of March. Reservations to Asia are growing strongly, even if they are picking up slowly.
Uncertain horizon in 2023
On the other hand, the horizon is blocked concerning the end of the winter tourist season. Travel professionals are particularly cautious and are careful not to make forecasts. “ It’s quite complicated for 2023 if it continues like this. We have certainly reached a ceiling “says René-Marc Chikli. “ Uncertainty weighs on the second part of the winter and in particular on the summer of 2023. » « We lack anticipation, we have no long-term visibility”confirms Jean-Pierre Mas.
The causes are multiple: the fear of an eighth wave of Covid-19 and the resulting risks of travel restrictions; inflation, and in particular high energy costs, which is not regarding to slow down; the loss of consumer purchasing power, or even the climate crisis. Questions that will be at the center of the trade fair for tourism professionals (IFTM Top Resa) which opens Tuesday for two days at Porte de Versailles in Paris. 34,000 professionals – cruise passengers, travel agents, representatives of airlines and tourist offices – are expected for this 44th edition.
