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Tourism chiefs call for action after Paris attacks cost industry €750m
POSTED 24 Aug 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Officials have called for major investment into the region’s tourism sector to help protect jobs Credit: Shutterstock.com
Terrorist attacks, strikes and serious flooding have cost Paris an estimated €750m (US$847.5m, £640m) according to new statistics, with tourism chiefs calling for action in the face of an “industrial disaster” for the French capital.

France relies heavily on its tourism industry, with the sector generating 7 per cent of its annual GDP.

But its numbers have dipped significantly since the terrorist attack in November were 130 people were killed, which also followed an attack in January 2015 on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Strikes and floods have also played a part, with major visitor attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre closed as a result.

Between January and June 2016, Paris welcomed a million fewer visitors compared with the same period in 2015. Figures from the French capital’s tourist board also shows that hotel stays are down 8.5 per cent in the Ile-de-France region, with an 11.5 per cent decline in foreign tourists. Paris’ most popular visitor attraction – Disneyland Paris – has also been feeling the sting, with numbers down 11 per cent between April and June.

The largest decline came from Japan, where numbers have almost halved for the first half of 2016. Russian visitors have also dropped by more than a third, while Italian visits are down a quarter and Chinese visitors by a fifth.

The statistics paint a worrying picture, even more so considering that Paris was one of the host cities for this summer’s European football championships, which failed to arrest the decline in visitor numbers.

"It's time to realise that the tourism sector is going through an industrial disaster," Paris region tourist board head Frederic Valletoux said in a statement.

"This is no longer the time for communication campaigns but to set up a relief plan."

In order to address the problem, Valletoux called for major investment into the region’s tourism sector to help protect jobs, also calling for the government and trades union to address the issue.

Wider France has taken several hits in recent months, most recently when a gunman drove a truck into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86 people. Two weeks after that two men killed a priest in Normandy, pledging allegiance to terrorist group the Islamic State (IS).
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NEWS
Tourism chiefs call for action after Paris attacks cost industry €750m
POSTED 24 Aug 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Officials have called for major investment into the region’s tourism sector to help protect jobs Credit: Shutterstock.com
Terrorist attacks, strikes and serious flooding have cost Paris an estimated €750m (US$847.5m, £640m) according to new statistics, with tourism chiefs calling for action in the face of an “industrial disaster” for the French capital.

France relies heavily on its tourism industry, with the sector generating 7 per cent of its annual GDP.

But its numbers have dipped significantly since the terrorist attack in November were 130 people were killed, which also followed an attack in January 2015 on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Strikes and floods have also played a part, with major visitor attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre closed as a result.

Between January and June 2016, Paris welcomed a million fewer visitors compared with the same period in 2015. Figures from the French capital’s tourist board also shows that hotel stays are down 8.5 per cent in the Ile-de-France region, with an 11.5 per cent decline in foreign tourists. Paris’ most popular visitor attraction – Disneyland Paris – has also been feeling the sting, with numbers down 11 per cent between April and June.

The largest decline came from Japan, where numbers have almost halved for the first half of 2016. Russian visitors have also dropped by more than a third, while Italian visits are down a quarter and Chinese visitors by a fifth.

The statistics paint a worrying picture, even more so considering that Paris was one of the host cities for this summer’s European football championships, which failed to arrest the decline in visitor numbers.

"It's time to realise that the tourism sector is going through an industrial disaster," Paris region tourist board head Frederic Valletoux said in a statement.

"This is no longer the time for communication campaigns but to set up a relief plan."

In order to address the problem, Valletoux called for major investment into the region’s tourism sector to help protect jobs, also calling for the government and trades union to address the issue.

Wider France has taken several hits in recent months, most recently when a gunman drove a truck into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86 people. Two weeks after that two men killed a priest in Normandy, pledging allegiance to terrorist group the Islamic State (IS).
RELATED STORIES
French strikes shut down Eiffel Tower


Strikes across France against controversial labour reforms forced the closure of the Eiffel Tower in Paris yesterday (28 June) – the second time in a matter of weeks.
French floods cause emergency closure of Paris museums


Two major museums in the heart of Paris have been temporarily closed so that their priceless works can be moved to higher ground amid the threat of flooding from the River Seine.
Historic Paris building to become museum for billionaire fashion mogul's art collection


Parisian billionaire and philanthropist François Pinault, is taking over a historic commercial building in Paris to showcase his €1.2bn (US$1.4bn, £950m) modern art collection to the public.
Armed man arrested outside Disneyland Paris


French media is reporting that a man with two firearms has been arrested outside the entrance to a hotel at Disneyland Paris.
MORE NEWS
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
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Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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