For the hoteliers of the Côte d’Azur, the assessment is not bright: while 2013 started well, the last two months did not follow this trend and are down compared to 2012, except in the Haut Pays which benefits from abundant snow and the renovation efforts made in recent years. The calendar was favorable but despite this, there was a decrease of about 10% compared to last year.
Several reasons for this: unfavorable weather, but especially the politico-economic context which slows down France and raises concerns among foreign clients. The seminar and conference market in France has collapsed. Foreign clients were worried about the protests, and above all, they are very solicited by competitors, where there is also sunshine, of course, but which are much less expensive, particularly concerning the cost of labor.
This accentuation of seasonality is worrisome and will increasingly lead to closures of establishments in the winter with consequences on employment and attractiveness.
The forecasts for the first months of 2014 are not good, worsened by the increase in VAT, continuous legislative and regulatory changes with absurdities such as the reduction of private beach areas, the ban on nighttime lighting, and mandatory investments in accessibility.
For Michel Tschann, president of the departmental category union, is not less optimistic: “We will turn this bad trend in the right direction this summer which is set positively unless other uncertainties spoil these prospects.
We are not resigned and will continue to work for our Côte d’Azur, our staff, our businesses, and especially our clients, despite the regulatory, fiscal, and legislative constraints.”
