The hoteliers of the Pyrénées-Orientales intend to take advantage of this month of May and its three bridges to boost their reservations. But after a shy 1st-May because of the weather, how is the continuation?
“For this beginning of May, there is a slight decline, but nothing very significant“, says Brice Sannac, President of UMIH 66 (Union of Hotel Trades and Industries). It must be said that last year on May 8 had been”exceptional“According to professionals,”equivalent to a week in the middle of August“. But as summer approaches, reservations trends in the hotel and tourism sector seem to be” last minute “for bridges in the month of May (1st May: Labor Day, May 8: May 1945 and 29: Ascension).
Indeed, customers awaiting the most optimal weather forecasts to afford a stay in the department, the hotel sector now juggles between uncertainties and climato-dependence. “”If it takes beautiful for the May 8, we will have a lot of last-minute reservations. And for the ascent we expect a big weekend, by its proximity also with the summer holidays“Continues Brice Sannac.
Lower prices to attract customers at the last minute
And to start this first May bridge, it must be said that tourism players were not spoiled, especially this Sunday, May 4 when Strong rains and storm episodes came to close these few days of cut. “It was announced well at the start of the week, but the weather was shy and capricious, which did not favor reservations. There we had to be 97 % filling rate”, Analysis Nicolas Cloerec, owner and manager of the hotel and restaurant Le Galion in Canet-en-Roussillon. After a great success for the Easter period, the hotel “struggled to be complete“This weekend.”We have less and less visibility. People are only committed when they see that the weather is acceptable. And we see it on cancellations“He adds.
-As a result, many websites for booking Hotels in the Pyrénées-Orientales displayed discounts on the price of their rooms. “”Everyone has lowered their prices to capture customers at the last minute. In this kind of situation, we must all make an effort“, Specifies the hotelier recalling that in 2024 the same scenario had presented itself for this first May bridge. For the Ascension weekend, the galleon has 50 % filling to date:”For the moment, we are in line with last year. A little shy, but if it is nice, the filling rate will be good“.
“Between + 5 % and 8 % on almost all summer”
But another phenomenon rushes into this economic assessment of the hotel and restaurant sector. “”Since the end of 2024, people pay more attention to their expenses. We see it on the restaurant side, especially on drinks or breakfast, and when you exchange with other restaurateurs it is the same observation“Explains Nicolas Cloerec.”We have to be a sales force. Leisure customers are more reluctant to consumption. We have experienced exceptional post-Cavid years, now we have to get used to a more shy situation“Concludes the manager of the galleon.
And for the future? “”Good forecasts for the months of June, July and August. September already wriggles. The week of August 15 is already at more than 50 % filling rate. We should be between + 5 % to 8 % on almost all summer“, hopes Brice Sannac, the president of UMIH 66.
