Decrease of nights spent by tourists in September, after recovering in July-August

In September 2020, in metropolitan France, the number of hotel nights felled by 42% compared to September 2019. In July-August, the drop was more limited (-30%), thanks to the resident clientele. The months of April and May were being hit hard by the impact of the lockdown, with a drop in occupancy of more than 90%.

Hotel use by resident tourists was relatively sustained in July and August. Residents turned to intra-regional tourism, but also to non-market accommodation (second home, family, friends).

The defection of non-resident tourists, especially non-European tourists, has particularly affected the upmarket hotel industry and the Île-de-France region. The urban territories have also suffered from a drop in business tourism with the development of remote working and the cancellation of many events.

In total, over the summer season, hotels have losed 58% of their overnight stays compared with the 2019 season. Closed from April to June but less oriented towards non-resident customers, the other tourist accommodations have experienced a 53% drop in attendance compared to the 2019 season.