THE FRENCH TAKE LESS AND LESS VACATION SINCE 15 YEARS

Last year, 2.5 million French decided to not take costly vacation and short vacation, and only 41% of French took vacation. This shows a 4% decrease in a year, and according to the counseling agency Protourisme, this is the lowest rate in 15 years.

Only 29.5 millions of French (adults and children) spent at least one night in a paid accommodation last year, which is 2.5 million less than in 2012 according to this study published recently and conducted in January on the basis of representative samples of the French population.

Since 2010, it has been 3.5 million French who refused to go to paid accommodations, even for only one night, according to Protourisme. “The economic crisis hit the French customers much later than other European customers, but today we feel it,” said Protourisme president Didier Arino to the AFP. More than one million French gave up in January 2013 to take vacation during the year 2013, points out Mr. Arino. One-third of the French did not take vacation in 2012 and in 2013. Historically low levels were reached among middle classes and lower classes. Only 38% of households earning between 1.500 euros and 2.500 euros (after taxes) were able to go to paid accommodations for at least one night in 2013, which is a decrease of 4% compared to 2012. And, only 23% of households earn less than 1.500 euros (-2%). However, this decline is also present to the other categories of revenues. Among households earning more than 3.500 euros, the rate decreases of two points at 75%, against 56% in the households earning between 2.500 euros and 3.500 euros (-1%). Unemployment or unemployment fear as long as the increase of taxes and the decrease of the purchasing power of retirees “who were a significant source of revenue for the tourism industry” affected the tourism industry explained Didier Arino. “The security of employment had a direct impact,” he said by pointing out the fact that 58% of public servants were able to go to paid accommodations for at least one night, while only 41% employees of the private sector were able to go to paid accommodations for at least one night.