French tourism sector expresses concern over escalating unrest

Tourism professionals in France have raised warnings about the potential fallout on the hospitality economy following recent unrest across major cities, according to reports. Industry figures from Paris, Nice and Lyon reported that scenes of civil disruption could discourage incoming visitors from travelling abroad. Christelle Cassagne, head of the umbrella tourism body ADN Tourisme, described the unrest unfolding across major urban centres as damaging to the sector. Tourism representatives warned that high-spending, long-haul travellers could curtail visits if instability persists, posing a threat to overall tourism earnings. Laurent Abitbol, executive director of the travel group Selectour, noted that containment of the disturbances within a fortnight could limit broader damage. However, he warned that unrest lingering for several months would prove disastrous for businesses, adding that events in the coming weeks will determine the direction of the travel sector. Data analysis from hospitality consultancy MKG Consulting indicated that hotels in Paris have already lost potential reservations over an upcoming six-week period. Operators emphasised that guests travel to experience the destination rather than remain confined to their rooms out of safety concerns.