French tourism industry begins to feel the impact of violence

Many restaurants and hotels have had their reservations canceled by guests due to fears of violent protests across France.

“Our member hotels have suffered a wave of cancellations in areas affected by clashes and vandalism,” said Thierry Marx, president of the Association of Employers in the Hotel and Catering Industry. France is facing violent protests after 17-year-old Nahel was shot dead by police in a Paris suburb on the evening of June 27.

Chef Thierry Marx receives daily warnings from people in the industry who are suffering “attacks, looting and destruction of businesses.” Among them are restaurant and cafe owners.

A waiter cleans up the restaurant after riots in Paris on June 30. Photo: AFP — A waiter cleans up the restaurant after riots in Paris on June 30. Photo: *AFP*

"Our places of business are essentially places of hospitality, sometimes shelters, helping in emergency situations. They do not deserve to suffer the consequences of anger over something they did not cause. We condemn these actions," Marx said.

Marx wants authorities to do "everything" to ensure the safety of those working in the hotel and catering industry in France - the world's top tourist destination.

The French Retail Federation (FCD) has called on police to increase security around stores. FCD CEO Jacques Creyssel said the riots had led to “real looting” with “more than 100 major food and non-food stores vandalised, looted and even set on fire”. Non-food stores are those that sell non-edible items such as cleaning products and toilet tissue.

Creyssel called the actions "extremely serious and costly" and said he had asked the ministers of economy, interior and trade to take action.

The Paris Ile-de-France Chamber of Commerce said it is mobilizing forces to provide necessary technical support and insurance compensation to traders and managers of affected companies.

The French independent hotel and restaurant group (GHR) complained that "national media are starting to show images of Paris in flames and blood that do not correspond to reality". CEO Franck Trouet said Asian tourists, who are particularly concerned about safety, may not hesitate to postpone or cancel their trips amid this tension.

Didier Arino, CEO of the Protourisme company, which operates in the field of tourism consultancy, likened the current violent situation to "a negative advertising campaign costing tens of millions of euros" for France.

"This situation could continue to affect the organisation of the Olympic Games, especially as most of the events will take place in Seine-Saint-Denis," a disadvantaged area north of Paris, Jean-Francois said.

Anh Minh (According to AFP )

Source link