The essentials Trade fairs, congresses and business seminars boost business tourism in Toulouse. These days, on the occasion of a major congress on education, the hotels of the Pink City are fully booked.
“Sorry, we’re fully booked!” If you’re visiting Toulouse this week, you’ve probably experienced it: it’s hard to find a free room. With the start of the school year, business tourism is back. And it’s off to a flying start.
Starting this Tuesday and for three days, 6,500 participants will take part in the European Association for International Education (EAIE) congress organized at MEETT. This makes it “the largest European congress ever organized in Toulouse.”
A boon for Toulouse hoteliers. “We receive about fifty calls a day for reservations but we are fully booked,” says Mathieu Boulaige, head of reception at the Palladia. “We have customers from 90 different countries,” explains Diane Serres, director of the Matabi hotel, located a stone’s throw from the train station. Usually our clientele is mainly linked to business tourism but they are mostly French.”
Two-thirds are business trips
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In general, “business tourism has always been the driving force behind our activity,” emphasizes Frédéric Michel, president of the hotel branch within the Union des Métiers et des Industries Hôtelières de la Haute-Garonne (UMIH). The two years after Covid have been complicated, but we have resumed our cruising speed.” “The convention center and the MEET are very dynamic, which has a positive impact on our activity,” adds Simon Girard, director of the Hôtel de Brienne and president of the Club Hôtelier Toulouse Métropole.
According to the latest figures from the Occitanie Regional Tourism Committee, in 2022, “6.1 million hotel nights were generated by business tourism in Occitanie, or 4 out of 10 hotel nights.” In detail, according to the Toulouse Métropole Attractiveness Agency, in 2023, in Toulouse, of the 5.2 million nights recorded in 2023, two thirds correspond to business travelers and only one third to leisure travelers.
Congress delegates encouraged to return for vacation
To galvanize this leisure tourism, the Attractiveness Agency (now Toulouse Team) has just launched “an innovative system aimed at encouraging these business tourists to come back as leisure tourists”. This program, tested for two years, will be inaugurated at the EAIE on Tuesday, September 17. The system, called “Come as a pro, come back as a friend”, is based on a series of incentive measures: a tourist pass, offers of stays and free services.
– How is business tourism impacting the hotel industry in Toulouse?
Boosting Business Tourism: Trade Fairs, Congresses, and Seminars Fuel Growth in Toulouse
Toulouse, the vibrant capital of Occitanie, France, is experiencing a surge in business tourism, thanks to the steady influx of trade fairs, congresses, and business seminars. As the city plays host to a major education congress, hotels are fully booked, and the local economy is reaping the benefits.
A Fully Booked City
This week, visitors to Toulouse are met with a familiar refrain: “Sorry, we’re fully booked!” With the start of the school year, business tourism is back in full swing, and it’s off to a flying start. The European Association for International Education (EAIE) congress, taking place at MEETT, has brought together 6,500 participants from around the world, making it the largest European congress ever organized in Toulouse.
Hoteliers Reap the Rewards
For local hoteliers, this influx of visitors is a boon. ”We receive about fifty calls a day for reservations, but we are fully booked,” says Mathieu Boulaige, head of reception at the Palladia. Similarly, Diane Serres, director of the Matabi hotel, located near the train station, notes that they have customers from 90 different countries. While the hotel typically caters to business travelers, mostly from France, the congress has brought in a diverse crowd.
Business Tourism: The Driving Force
In general, business tourism has always been the driving force behind the hotel industry in Toulouse. According to Frédéric Michel, president of the hotel branch within the Union des Métiers et des Industries Hôtelières de la Haute-Garonne (UMIH), “the two years after Covid have been complicated, but we have resumed our cruising speed.” The convention center and MEET are dynamic, which has a positive impact on our activity,” adds Simon Girard, director of the Hôtel de Brienne and president of the Club Hôtelier Toulouse Métropole.
Statistics Reveal the Impact
The latest figures from the Occitanie Regional Tourism Committee reveal that in 2022, business tourism generated 6.1 million hotel nights in Occitanie, accounting for 4 out of 10 hotel nights. In Toulouse, specifically, the Toulouse Métropole Attractiveness Agency reports that in 2023, of the 5.2 million nights recorded, two-thirds correspond to business travelers, while one-third correspond to leisure travelers.
Encouraging Delegates to Return
To capitalize on the influx of business travelers, the city is encouraging congress delegates to return for vacation. By showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and world-class attractions, Toulouse aims to convert business travelers into leisure tourists. With its warm climate, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene, Toulouse has all the ingredients to become a top tourist destination.
A Winning Formula
The combination of trade fairs, congresses, and business seminars has proven to be a winning formula for Toulouse. By attracting business travelers from around the world, the city is experiencing a surge in economic activity, creating new opportunities for local businesses, and fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration. As the city looks to the future, it’s clear that business tourism will continue to play a vital role in shaping the local economy and cementing Toulouse’s reputation as a hub for international trade and commerce.
Optimized Keywords:
Business tourism
Trade fairs
Congresses
Business seminars
Toulouse
Occitanie
France
MEETT
EAIE congress
Hotel industry
Tourism
Economic growth
* Leisure tourism
– What impact do trade fairs and congresses have on business tourism in Toulouse?
The Power of Trade Fairs, Congresses, and Business Seminars: Boosting Business Tourism in Toulouse
Toulouse, the Pink City, is abuzz with activity as it hosts a major congress on education, drawing in over 6,500 participants from 90 different countries. This influx of visitors has led to a surge in demand for hotel rooms, with many establishments reporting full occupancy. This is a testament to the significant impact that trade fairs, congresses, and business seminars have on business tourism in Toulouse.
A Boon for Hoteliers
Hoteliers in Toulouse are thrilled with the sudden influx of guests, with many receiving upwards of 50 calls a day for reservations. Mathieu Boulaige, head of reception at the Palladia, notes that they are fully booked, while Diane Serres, director of the Matabia hotel, reports that their clientele is mainly comprised of business tourists from around the world.
Two-Thirds are Business Trips
According to the Occitanie Regional Tourism Committee, in 2022, business tourism generated 6.1 million hotel nights in Occitanie, accounting for 4 out of 10 hotel nights. In Toulouse specifically, two-thirds of the 5.2 million nights recorded in 2023 correspond to business travelers, with the remaining one-third being leisure travelers. This highlights the significant contribution that business tourism makes to the local economy.
Congress Delegates Encouraged to Return for Vacation
To capitalize on this trend, the Attractiveness Agency (now Toulouse Team) has launched an innovative program aimed at encouraging business tourists to return to Toulouse as leisure tourists. Dubbed “Come as a pro, come back as a friend,” this initiative offers a range of incentives, including a tourist pass, offers of stays, and free services. By enticing delegates to return to Toulouse for leisure, the city can further boost its tourism industry and solidify its reputation as a premier destination.
How is Business Tourism Impacting the Hotel Industry in Toulouse?
The hotel industry in Toulouse has long been driven by business tourism, with many establishments relying on conferences, trade fairs, and seminars to fill their rooms. Frédéric Michel, president of the hotel branch within the Union des Métiers et des Industries Hôtelières de la Haute-Garonne (UMIH), notes that business tourism has always been the driving force behind their activity. Simon Girard, director of the Hôtel de Brienne and president of the Club Hôtelier Toulouse Métropole, adds that the convention center and the MEETT are very dynamic, which has a positive impact on their activity.
Conclusion
Trade fairs, congresses, and business seminars are a vital component of Toulouse’s tourism industry, driving demand for hotel rooms and boosting business tourism in the city. As the city continues to host high-profile events, it is likely that business tourism will remain a key driver of the local economy. By incentivizing delegates to return to Toulouse as leisure tourists, the city can further capitalize on this trend and cement its reputation as a world-class destination.
Optimized Keywords:
Business tourism
Trade fairs
Congresses
Business seminars
Toulouse
MEETT
* Occitanie Regional Tourism Committee
