The national trend is not good. And she is no exception to Var. “It’s complicated”confirms Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli, President of the Union of Trades in the Var Hotel Industries (UMIH 83).
This month of July, Var restaurateurs were faced with a fall between 15 to 35% of attendance, when they had already accused the blow in 2024 with inflation after the post-Cavid Fast years. Not really amazing.
In parallel, the occupancy rate of hotels in the department also experienced a decrease of approximately 12%.
The most affected establishments? “Seasonal restaurants, which count on the passage of tourists to make money and not on a loyal clientele, are the most affected”specifies the specialist.
For Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli, these bad figures would be due “To the lack of French tourists who headline the drop in purchasing power”.
“Since the dissolution of the National Assembly last summer, we are also in full political instability, he adds. This creates worries. No one knows what will be back to school. And people pay more attention to their expenses. ”
“Some have scratched the resto budget from their list, to devote it to the rental of accommodation and races on site. People can no longer afford it. This is a sign that France is not doing well.”
Spain and Tunisia more, more attractive destinations
This confirms an alliance France Tourism study published last May.
According to data collected, 39% of French people who intended to leave this summer said they wanted to reduce their holiday budget by shortening the length of their stay, for about a third of them.
But above all, by restricting the expenses called ” pleasure “ or not essential, such as shopping or going to a restaurant.
The UMIH 83 manager advances another explanation: “Many French people preferred mass tourism destinations, at more attractive prices, such as in Spain or Tunisia”.
To this must be added, according to him, random weather and “difficile”after a month of May already unfavorable.
According to Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli, Saint-Tropez and some of East-Var municipalities focused on luxury “better”.
In particular thanks to a foreign clientele, which was seduced by “The exceptional image returned by the Olympic Games”. As well as that of the 80th anniversary of the landing of Provence, celebrated last summer.
“The Americans came in 2024 and returned this year, he said. We also have other European nationalities, which we went to seek on the various tourism fairs in partnership with the Department. “
“A reflection on the price of dishes …”
Among the solutions to be provided, the president of the UMIH emits on the table the problem of restaurant tickets.
This one leads a fight so that they can only be used in catering establishments and not for daily food, as is the case today. Not won.
In January, the derogation of the use of restaurant tickets which allows employees to buy food products not directly consumable (oil, pasta, flour, etc.) was extended until December 31, 2026.
A reflection on the price of the à la carte dishes could also be launched.
“We remain attentive to the fact that the prices are not delusional, we must be careful, underlines Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli. Perhaps it is necessary to lower them. Even if it means losing a little margin and making a round back for some time. And at the same time, we are already full of charges, not to mention the price of the goods or electricity. ”
However, this wants to be optimistic, with good indicators for the month of August: the reservation rate of hotels was 70%, a few days ago.
“I am hopeful that it is 95%rising, it would be logical”positive Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli. What to do again for restaurateurs?
“What is lost is not caught up, even if we are 150% attendance this month. Anyway, we will do the accounts in September. At that time, we will meet to see how to improve things taking into account customer feedback.”