The inflow of tourists from abroad has been sharply increasing since 2010, and the trend was even stronger this summer. In July-August, foreign overnight stays in hotels and residences increased by 13% compared to 2010 and by 22% compared to 2009.
Except for three foreign markets that declined this summer (Italy, Belgium, and Greece) and three others that remained stable in volume (Germany, Austria, and the Middle East), all other markets are on the rise.
Growth has been particularly strong for the Chinese (+120%), far ahead of the Australians (+80%), South Americans, and Turks (+60%).
The increase also exceeds 30% for Africans, Russians, Canadians, and other Asians excluding Japan.
Evidently, the growth momentum has indeed shifted outside European borders, even though there is also a very positive trend from Switzerland, Scandinavia, and Spain, as well as a return of the British.
The Asian continent (including Russia) shows the highest potential for growth in the coming years. This summer, Japanese overnight stays increased for the first time since 2005 (+13%). As for the Chinese market, it will soon become indispensable. Certainly, in 2011, it only represented less than 2% of foreign attendance, but its growth is accelerating: overnight stays doubled between 1999 and 2006, and again between 2008 and 2011. Air travel also doubled in the first half of 2011.
In 2012, the “Year of the Dragon,” China will already issue 70,000 stays on the Côte d’Azur (all accommodations combined), almost as many as the Middle East or Canada. And by 2015, China is expected to already represent 5% of foreign hotel stays.
