Deadly attacks could have lasting impact on Paris tourism

• Paris hotel occupancy rates down and still falling: MKG
• Drop accelerated with protests vs Charlie Hebdo cartoons
• Paris tourist industry on campaign to reassure visitors

Reuters: The deadly attacks in Paris earlier this month could have a lasting impact on tourism if anti-France protests that have swept the Muslim world lead wealthy Arabs to shun the city. Similar attacks in European cities such as London and Madrid in recent years have tended to be followed by a swift recovery in visitor numbers. But hospitality research firm MKG Group fears a longer-term impact in Paris after satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo – where 12 people were killed by Islamist militants on 7 January – published a picture of Prophet Mohammad weeping on its cover. That image, viewed as blasphemous by some Muslims, prompted anti-France demonstrations in several countries, with those in Algeria, Niger and Pakistan turning violent. “The political and security environment is a key factor for international tourism,” Georges Panayotis, president and CEO of MKG, told reporters this week. “The curve is heading downwards since the protests against France ... It’s a new phenomenon that may add to security fears weighing on bookings.” Paris hotels saw occupancy rates drop 3-5% year-on-year between 8 January and 12 January, according to MKG data. The drop accelerated to 10% between 15 January and 18 January, coinciding with the start of the anti-France protests, with upscale hotels showing the steepest falls. That could be a big problem for France, which has been struggling to kick-start economic growth and is normally the most visited country in the world. Almost 85 million foreigners a year support a 150 billion euro ($ 174 billion) tourist industry that delivers 7% of the nation’s gross domestic product, government figures show. Arab visitors traditionally make up 10-12% of the clients of Paris luxury hotels, Panayotis said. Security fears are also a concern in China, whose wealthier citizens are making travel plans for the Chinese New Year coming up in mid-February. Overall, foreign visitors account for more than 80% of customers at Paris luxury hotels. Tourist spending also drove 60% of revenue in the French luxury market in 2013, according to Bain & Company research. Julien Marchenoir, marketing director at luxury group Richemont’s Vacheron Constantin brand said the attacks in Paris risked spooking already wary tourists. “The attacks may strengthen Paris’ poor security image,” he told Reuters at the Geneva watch fair. Last year an initiative was launched to put Chinese police on Paris’ streets after reports muggers were targeting visitors from the country. Europe’s largest hotel group, Accor, which operates hotels ranging from luxury Sofitel to budget Ibis, said on Tuesday it remained cautious on the French market this year – also in view of the constrained economic climate. “We have not seen massive cancellations at Paris hotels ... but we remain watchful of any development,” Chief Financial Officer Sophie Stabile said. Hotel industry body Union des Metiers et des Industries de l’Hotellerie said it had also not seen a ‘large movement’ in cancellations, and was banking on trade fairs such as the ready-to-wear fashion shows starting this week, to boost demand. Francois Navarro, managing director of the Comite Regional du Tourisme Paris Ile-De France, said last week that representatives of the Paris tourist industry would set off on a world tour next month to reassure visitors and travel agents that the city is safe and open for business.