Protest of “yellow vests” has negative impact on the whole of tourism in France and in particular the hotel industry in Paris. Images showing scenes of demonstrations across most beautiful landmarks in the world broadcasted worldwide. These are the biggest protests since the unrests of 1968. As a result, many tourists who planned to visit Paris in December canceled their trips.
The vast majority of hotels recorded cancellations over at least one day in December. According to professionals in the sector, this represents a loss of revenue of up to 20%, or an estimated €10 to 15 million.
At the same time, the performances recorded over the first 10 months of the year of activity have so far been remarkable, with attendance up by nearly 4 points throughout the Ile-de-France region.
Hoteliers had finally recovered or even slightly exceeded the levels of 2014 preceding the various negative events that hit the capital in 2015, an event that had led to a sharp decline in activity.
The events that took place last Saturday and continue until today boosted by the presence of young people, therefore put a serious brake on Ile-de-France tourism.
From November 23 to 27, it is estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 nights have already been cancelled over the entire month of December. Weekends, especially New Year's Eve, are the days with the highest number of cancellations.
Roland Héguy, President of Tourism Confederation, expressed concern that "the welcoming image of Paris and France was being massacred" in the aftermath of the violence and damage committed during the demonstrations of the "yellow vests", fearing that the Christmas holidays would be "ruined".
"I believe that the Christmas holidays are compromised, even ruined," said Mr. Héguy, who also chairs the main organization of the hotel sector, the Union des métiers et des industries de l'hôtellerie (Umih).
Burnt cars, broken windows, looted stores, devastated street furniture... The Yellow Vests demonstration in Paris causes a lot of damage in the capital. At least 133 people were injured and more than 400 arrested, which was widely reported by the media in all countries.
Turnover in the restaurant sector has dropped by 20 to 50% since the beginning of the protests.
World know tourist sites, such as for example Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, were closed this weekend.