The metropolitan tourism office presented the trends for the summer season of 2023 on May 12 at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in front of many industry professionals. The “emotion-filled” season is organized around three major sporting events while emphasizing sustainable development.
All signals are positive. “It’s always more pleasant to come when the numbers are good,” starts Jacques Richier, deputy to Christian Estrosi, in charge of Economy and Tourism. It’s official, tourism in the Azure region is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, there were over 5.6 million overnight stays in hotels in the Metropolis with an overall occupancy rate of 65.5%.
“These numbers show that this territory had great resilience, and it’s not just about having beautiful landscapes; it’s also about having a welcoming capacity and the ability to bounce back after difficult events,” says the Vice-President of the Metropolis, in front of hotel professionals, merchants, restaurateurs, beach managers, and tourism office employees.
A very positive first semester of 2023
And the first semester of 2023 continues this positive trend. The average spending per stay has increased by 64% compared to the same period last year. Hotel occupancy reached 77% in April with a peak of 93% during the Easter weekend. International customers are returning, notably North Americans who represented 15% of foreign visitors last year. A crucial figure to bear in mind knowing that foreigners account for 70% of the customer base in the territory. A unique situation in France.
These major tourist flows are partly due to the connectivity of ‘Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which had 12.2 million passengers in 2022. Since early 2023, there has been a significant increase of 31% in transit passengers. For the upcoming summer season, connections with Canada and Dubai are resuming. A direct flight with Atlanta and another with Doha are being launched, bringing the total to four daily connections with the United States. A total of 114 destinations in 43 countries are served, including 24 new ones.
The desire for sustainable tourism offerings
The mayor of Nice places great importance on sustainable tourism offerings. To meet the new expectations of tourists, environmental concerns must be addressed in the tourism sector. The deputy announces that a dedicated team will be set up within the Tourism Office to tackle this issue. “It’s also a way to showcase the Metropolis’s treasures, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Mercantour Park.” To encourage exploration of the hinterland, tourist shuttles exist and two new ones are being introduced. A major new feature: a line will link Saint-Paul de Vence with Vence. The Tourism Office also announces the opening of the line On the Bellet Vineyards Route.
But can transport and sustainability align? “The president of the Metropolis, Christian Estrosi’s goal is to never oppose sustainable development with economic and tourism development,” asserts Franck Goldnadel, head of Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. He wants to highlight that his airport leads France in sustainable development commitments. “We’re working to ensure that more customers do not necessarily mean more planes, and in any case, that it means fewer CO2 emissions as much as possible,” he assures.
Three major sporting events
The Hopman Cup, an international tennis competition, kicks off the summer’s major sporting events in Nice. After thirty years in Perth, the competition changes continents for the first time, and Nice was chosen as the host destination among twenty countries for the next five editions. From July 19 to 23, 2023, the competition will take place at the Nice Lawn Tennis Club, featuring men’s singles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles. “It’s a kind of mixed Davis Cup,” summarizes Franck Balabanian, president of Nice LTC. The territory will have significant exposure with 31 million expected viewers and 10 million fans on social media.
On September 10, the territory hosts the men’s world championship final IRONMAN. “It’s one of the most challenging endurance races in the world,” explains Victor Alvarez, France marketing manager. Triathletes will swim 3.8 kilometers in two loops, in the Mediterranean off Centenaire Beach. Then, they will complete 180 kilometers by bike in the backcountry, like a Tour de France stage. Finally, they’ll run a marathon on the renowned Promenade des Anglais. “This territory is the perfect playground for these three disciplines,” he says, adding: “On average, athletes spend fourteen days around the world championship.”
“For a month, the Earth will become oval, and it will pass through Nice,” states Jeff Tordo, a former Nice player for the French rugby team. The 2023 Rugby World Cup sets up in the azure capital from September 16 to 24 for four matches. The city has the honor of hosting the Thistle XV, the iconic Scottish team. Together with Marseille, the region can boast having the option for 20% of the matches. Organizers expect 140,000 people for economic benefits estimated at 80 million euros. A fan village will be set up in the Albert 1er Gardens.
A glimpse of a culturally rich summer
A wide variety of festivals are taking place on the Riviera this summer. The Tourism Office aims this year to promote and fund various local events and activities. This spans the whole territory with the intent to also highlight the smaller communities and the entire hinterland. Starting in June, the Nice Book Festival from June 2 to 4, and the Open Air Festival with theater, music, and dance at the Château de Bellet from June 7 to 10 are not to be missed. From June 23 to July 1, the theatrical season of the National Theater of Nice (TNN) will settle in the Cimiez Arenas.
July marks the start of the Southern Region exhibition with Paris Match on Place Garibaldi. From July 18 to 21, the famous Nice Jazz Festival will rock Place Masséna and the Théâtre de Verdure. Canadian star The Weeknd will take over the Allianz Riviera Stadium on July 22 and 23, followed by a concert by Mylène Farmer on July 29. At the same time, electronic music will take over the Théâtre de Verdure with the Neon Festival on July 28, 29, and 30. The month ends with the Laughing Beaches from July 31 to August 2.
La Castellada, a performance-tour through Nice’s history, will take place at the Castle from August 7 to 18. The hill will also host theater performances from August 19 to 21, 2022, with free outdoor performances of Marivaux’s L’épreuve. The Crossover Festival will wrap up the month with three festive nights showcasing rap and electronic music on August 29, 30, and 31 at the Théâtre de Verdure.
