Too expensive, negative feeling … Will Corsica become fashionable this summer?

An index among others. Already last year, the price of a car rental by the week in Corsica was starting to reflect. Confirmation this summer: Ajaccio and Bastia are again in the list of cheapest cities. A symbol as this service that is dependent on vacationers who arrived by plane is crucial, and fueled dissatisfaction in recent years. One reason among others that explained the relative disaffection from which the island of beauty suffered in July and August … The wind seems to turn.

Does Corsica become a fashionable destination again? On a quantitative level, the answer seems positive with a marked increase in reservations in the air and the sea: “Cwhich goes back to us is reassuring. The programming of airlines is better than last year with 134 lines 18 companies 11 countries and 190,000 seats in addition, Exhibits Jean Dominici, the president of the Corsican Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). In the Maritime it is more difficult to provide since programming adapts to demand. But reservations are good. “

Decrease in the average basket

If he remains cautious, he still wants to be optimistic for the tourist season which is announced on the island: “Corsica remains a first -row destination for visitorsadds the president of the CCI. It is an attractive region. Just see the figures in April. Bastia airport has increased 20% of passengers. ”

It remains to be seen whether these millions of passengers will be able to consume, moreover, local products as the average basket is dropping regularly. On this subject, professionals in the sector are worried. Despite encouraging forecasts, Corsica is an expensive destination: “The number of passengers is stableBenoît Cauldron analysis, vice-president of the UMIH Corsica (Union of Trades and the Hotel Industry). If in hotels, residences and merchant sector in general, reservations remain stable, the average price does not increase and expenses slow down. The length of stay drops, the average basket too and the prices of the rooms. ”

Rental platforms between individuals

A fall in purchasing power that pushes visitors to opt for rental platforms between individuals. What worry professionals in the sector who regularly sound the alarm on this problem.

The classic hotel industry offers 147,000 beds in Corsica. About 20% less than tourist furnishings, and their 181,000 beds declared: “There is flow but professionals do not find it in their establishmentsdeplores Jean Dominici. It is a background wave that is not specific to Corsica. ”

The players in the sector still demand an evolution of the legislation for furnished tourism: “Each year, the equation is increasingly difficult to resolvesays Benoît Cauldron. Even if people are there, that is not enough to fill our establishments. I am not fatalistic, because there is an awareness of politicians. It takes a real constraint for those who make it their job. We have to tax them like everyone else. Inaction policy must stop. “

9 times more tourists than residents

Corsica usually welcomes nearly 3 million tourists, according to the Corsican Tourism Agency (ATC) with a peak of around 450,000 people in August for 350,000 inhabitants. This tourism is mainly based on a local clientele (7 out of 10 tourists come from the French continent), a high summer concentration (about half of the tourists between the months of July and August) and a mainly coastal location.

To avoid this concentration, the ATC has been pushing for several years for a spread of the season. It remains to go to the concrete phase, beyond the announcements of the announcement: “it takes more aircraft, more boats but also serve the large European capitals, as do the other islands of the Mediterranean basin”, advocates Benoît Cauldron.

To remedy this, the Corsican community wants to buy air flows. Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg and Toulouse, but also Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, England, and Italy have been identified as destinations to be strengthened outside the full season.

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