Holidays 2021 : What Trends for The French ?

The behavior of both French and international visitors is expected to alter significantly in 2021, as it was the previous year. The location and kind of lodging are both influenced, as are cautious reservations. The news is always changing, and some nations are loosening their regulations while others are tightening them. France, on the other hand, seems to be accomplishing both at the same time: the removal of constraints frees desires, but a demand for extreme care moderates their fulfillment. Everyone must adjust their vacations to the circumstances: let’s have a look at the attitudes we can anticipate from our French neighbors this summer.

The always privileged France destination

This was the case in 2020, and the trend is continuing, even though it is being hampered by the reopening of certain borders, particularly those in Europe. 7 out of 10 French citizens say they do not wish to leave the country this year, compared to 50% in normal times.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is therefore at the top of the top three areas filling up with bookings for the summer of 2021, followed by Brittany and the South-West. The Ecrins massif appears next, demonstrating that the mountain has not been ignored. According to a study released by Atout France, the mountainous areas attracted the most visitors in the summer of 2020, particularly the Massif Central, Pyrenees, Jura, and Southern Alps. As a result, the year 2021 represents a return to a more traditional equilibrium.

When the French decide to go overseas, they go a shorter distance than is customary. According to a survey performed by Les Entreprises du Voyage, Greece, Spain, and Italy account for more than half of all reservations. Foreign visitors are anticipated to be half as many as they were in summer 2019: 50 million people are expected, compared to 91 million before the health issue.

Accommodation influenced by social distancing

This is not a law, but rather a trend that began in 2020 and is expected to be reaffirmed to a lesser degree this year. Two specific consequences may be detected, both related to Covid-19’s anxiety and showing an adaptation to the government’s required social distance.

To begin with, there is a significant rise in demand for lodging in the countryside, which has resulted in a decrease in tourist reservations in the major towns. Holidaymakers choose modest, quiet lodging facilities in order to avoid mass tourism. So much so that, sensing a shift in the wind, Airbnb stated in the spring that it planned to expand its rural lodging offering by 15,000 ads and even provided a bonus of 100 € for each new rural property registered on the site.

Autonomous tourism, whether in a van or a camper, is also on the rise. Sales of these vehicles, which were formerly driven by the need for flexibility and the outbursts of freedom of young people or retirees, now seem to be driven by a need for protection in the face of the pandemic: the vehicle serves as a health bubble, avoiding contact with other visitors.

In May, BFM predicted a 12% rise in recreational vehicle sales in 2020, which seems to be verified this year. The customer is also expanding, with families or couples in their thirties and forties making more purchases.

More careful reservations

The third noticeable trend is in the way you plan your holidays, with the booking time considerably shorter since 2020, mainly to the dread of having to cancel everything due to a reorganization. Despite the fact that reservations will begin to increase in the spring of 2021 as a result of official statements declaring the removal of limitations on June 30, last-minute bookings are on the rise.

Concerns about the hygienic regulations in effect over the holidays are still strong, and the expansion of the delta variation, as well as the implementation of the enlarged sanitary pass, has heightened the present apprehension. A significant portion of the population would rather wait a few days and make do with the remaining availability.

To combat this phenomenon and guarantee a successful season, many tourism experts cleverly adjust to visitor expectations, allowing for simpler and later cancellation of stays, provided that this is prompted by a medical emergency. Something to reassure tourists and allow for an acceptable rate of tourist accommodation filling.

The two guidelines that appear to be gaining traction among vacationers are going less far and avoiding big gatherings. However, tourists wanting to traverse borders, mostly to Europe, will have additional options in 2021. With the option of taking extra measures, such as departing by RV rather than aircraft. Everyone should be able to have a relaxing holiday without too much effort!