PARIS (dpa-AFX) – France is concerned about the effects on tourism in the country after the recent riots. France is currently not experiencing a wave of cancellations or rebookings and no massive drop in visitor numbers, said Tourism Minister Olivia Grégoire on Thursday in Paris. French tourism is doing well and France’s image as a tourist destination is broadly intact in the main international markets. It is important to inform and reassure visitors.
“The riots have not dampened the enthusiasm of French and foreign tourists to travel to any of our many French destinations,” said the minister. However, the impact of the unrest on France’s image should not be downplayed. “Precisely for this reason, together with the players in the tourism sector, we must convey a reassuring and authoritative message in order to maintain our attractiveness and the image of the high quality of our services among tourists.”
The minister had consulted with representatives of the tourism industry to discuss with them the consequences of days of serious unrest across the country on France’s international image. Grégoire presented figures according to which there were only small, isolated decreases in bookings in a few large cities.
Since the death of 17-year-old Nahel in a traffic stop last week, France has been rocked by serious riots and protests against police violence. There were repeated looting, arson attacks and violent confrontations between police officers and rioters. The unrest has since abated. But the concern is that they will flare up again on the national holiday on July 14./evs/DP/he