Despite rising inflation, the French have no intention of giving up their summer holidays. However, they are willing to take some measures to reduce expenses and shorten the length of stay. For many, the holidays are a sacred time to spend with family and friends.
One of the solutions to reduce the budget is to go on vacation with friends or relatives. According to a Europe Assistance barometer, 75% of French people will travel this summer, but on a limited budget. Furthermore, 26% of them want to spend their holidays with friends or relatives, a higher percentage than other Europeans (21%).
Travel trends show that many people are looking to save money by choosing destinations that are closer and cheaper. Peer-to-peer accommodation rental site Abritel saw a 25% increase in searches on the Northwest coast, from the Pas-de-Calais region to the Loire Atlantique, compared to the previous year.
HomeAway spokesperson Xavier Rousselou noted that homestays along the Channel coast offer cheaper and more easily accessible accommodation for those living in the north of the country, thereby reducing transport costs. These coastal destinations were also less affected by the heat last year.
Jérôme Mercier, CEO of Campings.com, noted that this year there has been a greater focus on budget among his booking site’s customers. Many customers don’t want to lower their standards, but are willing to reduce their length of stay. Bookings for stays longer than a week have fallen by 15%, while the French have reduced the distance of their trips by an average of 50km. Travel industry professionals have also noticed an increase in bookings for early July and the last week of August when prices are generally lower.
Didier Arino, CEO of Protourisme, believes that the French adopt a “Carpe Diem” attitude. They try to enjoy the present without worrying about the uncertain future, making the most of the opportunities available to them.
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