The south of France normally brings in 40% of its annual tourist revenue from overseas visitors. With international borders likely to stay closed for a while longer, the south needs to appeal to its French compatriots to make sure it can stay afloat. A national charm offensive, entitled, “we all need the south” is being launched to make sure everyone heads southwards this summer.
Renaud Muselier, president of an umbrella group for all the different regions in France (Régions de France), told La Provence that not a single region, department or town has been spared losses. “In the ski resorts, at the festivals, along the coastline, the entire tourist ecosystem has been devastated. 98% of tourist workers are not working.” France is the number one visited country in the world.
The priority however, has been to get the south up on its feet, to try to fill as many of those hotel rooms and campsites which are normally booked by overseas guests. On May 25, the south will launch a campaign telling French people, “On a tous besoin du Sud”–we all need the south.
