Nice. A look at the tourism economy. France. Press dossier

Transcription

1 Nice France A look at the tourism economy Press dossier Contact details: Communication Department Tel: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) communication@otcnice.com Convention Bureau: Tel: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) conventionbureau@otcnice.com Information for the General Public: +33 (0) info@otcnice.com Year 2011

2 Contents 3 Introduction Key figures 4 Tourism: the city's main industry Leisure Tourism Business Tourism 7 Quality and range of hotels 8 Useful information

3 Introduction France - the first country that attracts the highest number of foreign tourists, - almost 80 million visitors from abroad, - the third-highest tourism revenue after the United States and Spain. the French Riviera (the department of the Alpes Maritimes and Monaco) - one of the world's leading tourist destinations, - 10 million tourists, including 5 million from abroad, - 1% of the world market for international trips, - number 1 for Leisure Tourism in France after Paris (for the "Greater French Riviera" which includes the department of the Var), - number 1 for Business Tourism in France after Paris, rated hotels offering over 29,000 rooms, billion euros in economic spin-offs and almost 75,000 tourism-induced jobs. Nice - number 1 city for tourism in France after Paris, - 40% of French Riviera tourism traffic, - approximately 1.5 billion euros in economic spin-offs generated by almost 4 million visitors, - number 1 national airport after Paris: almost 10 million passengers, 50 airlines, 100 destinations, - number 1 airport in France for low-cost traffic: around twenty airlines transporting 30% of passengers, - number 1 convention city in France after Paris, - biggest number of hotels in France after Paris and one third of capacity on the French Riviera: almost 200 hotels totalling approximately 10,000 rooms, - number 1 cruise port in France at Nice/Villefranche with 515,000 passengers (excluding ferries). 3

4 Tourism: the city's main industry Nice is a tourism generalist, hosting clients from Leisure Tourism (individuals and group travel), Cruises and Business Tourism. The city attracts almost 4 million visitors a year, 52% of whom are foreign. Tourism drives Nice's economy. It is the city's number 1 industry. The two other pillars supporting the local economy are the high-tech, construction and public works sectors. The main markets France remains our main market, accounting for approximately 2 million visitors. The United Kingdom plus Ireland constitute "the" traditional market for the French Riviera (21% of visiting foreigners). This market has increased greatly over the past decade, due, notably, to demand fuelled by low-cost airlines. There were more Italian tourists this year (21% of visiting foreigners), placing them on a par with the UK and Ireland, followed by German tourists, who were back in force. Holidaymakers from the United States and Canada are in third position in terms of expenditure (6% of holidays on the French Riviera). Three further markets harbour a potential for over 100,000 trips per year to Nice: Germany, the Scandinavian bloc and Spain. Emerging markets with strong potential also deserve a mention: Russia, China, India, countries from the Persian Gulf (the Emirates and Saudi Arabia), plus niche markets in Latin America, Oceania and South Africa. Tourism expenditure is on average 55 euros per person per day in Leisure Tourism (paying and nonpaying accommodation) and 250 to 300 euros per person per day in Business Tourism. 4

5 Leisure Tourism Each year, Nice attracts over 3 million Leisure visitors, accounting for 80% of Nice's tourism market. In the face of fluctuations in the economy and international politics, and substantial modifications in traveller behaviour and habits, professionals have to take the following into account: - the intra-european tourism arena, with a marked preference for nearby destinations, - the development of e-tourism and late bookings, - shorter holidays, and holidays that are broken down into smaller trips, - the emergence of behaviour coloured by sustainable development, - the attraction of safe destinations. Leisure Tourism comprises 80% individual travellers and 20% groups. Evolutions in behaviour patterns foster individual travel, particularly from France and nearby countries such as Italy, England, Germany and Scandinavia. The group clientele essentially stems from long-haul regions such as Asia and North and South America, plus countries that have recently embraced tourism such as the Eastern bloc countries. The behaviour of this clientele is more traditional. They opt for the reassurance of a trip organised by professionals. For Leisure Tourism, the Nice Convention & Visitors Bureau, the NCVB, has enriched its classic methods of promotion. Above and beyond providing information in its four Tourist Information Offices, it now has a website for the general public and professionals that has won awards for its efficiency. Further promotional tools include a CD- ROM and a DVD. The cruise market The cruise market is divided into three geographical zones: the Mediterranean (constantly growing), the Caribbean, and Northern Europe. The cruise sector has expanded considerably over recent years. Over 340 cruise stopovers in the Port of Nice/Villefranche in 2009, i.e. 515,000 passengers (excluding ferries), generated approximately 40 million euros in economic spin-offs. Continued strong growth is expected over the coming 10 years as Nice is both a stopover point as well as a starting point for huge cruise liners. 5

6 Business Tourism Business Tourism is one of the strengths of Nice and the French Riviera. 20% of visitors come for "Business" reasons. 4% of these attend conventions. Business visitors spend an average of 100 euros per day. Convention delegates spend approximately 250 euros per day. For the City of Nice, Business Tourism is a vital complement to Leisure Tourism; both types exist harmoniously, side by side. Priority markets in the Business sector include France, the USA, Great Britain, Italy, Germany and Northern Europe. Conventions and seminars Thanks to the Acropolis and the city's hotels, Nice is the number one convention city in France after Paris. The Acropolis International Congress Centre drives the development of Business Tourism in Nice. The Acropolis Congress Centre launched a vast renovation programme, headed by the architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Nice is one of the only cities in France that can host large-scale conventions and exhibitions, thanks to a complex comprising Acropolis- Congress (54,000m²) and Acropolis-Exhibitions (17,000m²). Over thirty hotels offer infrastructures that are perfectly suited to holding seminars, meetings and conventions. They offer a pleasant and ergonomic setting, tasteful decors and functional rooms. Incentives Incentive trips are mainly organised by businesses for their clientele or staff in order to motivate them. Generally, they are very high-yield groups of 30 to 250 people. Nice has the advantage of an events culture. Made-to-measure programmes can be staged to be intense and unique, totally satisfying those who are looking for this type of product. Charter of pledges and guarantees Given today's increasingly competitive context, the Nice Convention & Visitors Bureau has invited the various professionals in Business Tourism to join it in drawing up a charter of pledges to ensure that the specificities of the tourism industry s sector are met effectively and efficiently. Regular meetings are held to adapt the Charter to changes in the sector. 6

7 Quality and range of hotels The French Riviera is the number 1 region in France, after Paris, in terms of hotel capacity and the number of 5-star hotels The French Riviera boasts 671 hotels that have been rated for "tourism". Their total capacity exceeds 29,267 rooms. On top of this, there are almost 140 unrated establishments with a total of almost 2,000 rooms. The French Riviera is the number 1 region in France as far as luxury hotels are concerned. It harbours 21 5-star hotels, including 5 in Monaco, out of the country's total of % of the French Riviera's hotel capacity is concentrated in the City of Nice. Its 200 hotels total 10,000 rooms and cover all categories, ranging from luxury hotel to youth hostel to charming small hotel. Nice: new and renovated hotels The hotel occupancy rate in 2009 was 59%. Investments in Nice's hotels -in terms of everyday renovations- are estimated at 20 million euros per year. 59% of hotels in Nice are either 3- or 4-star-rated. The design of the Hi Hôtel inspired fresh dynamism and new creativity, echoed by the Palais de la Méditerranée. Over recent years, fifty or so hotels and holiday residences in Nice have played the renovation card for a total of almost 200 million euros: Radisson SAS, Beau Rivage, Exédra, Crillon, etc, and currently the Négresco. Modernisation is the order of the day in all categories. Professionals are banking on charm. Hotel owners have successfully adapted to clientele expectations, sealing a happy marriage between the art of living and technology. New concepts now satisfy the demands of Business clients, such as "business rooms" that convert into offices during the day, with work surfaces and multimedia equipment. Internet connections are available at very competitive prices. There is room for creativity in every business sector - and in every category of hotel in Nice, from 1-star to 5. NiceRes: centralised reservations NiceResHôtels, the reservations centre created by the NCVB, has become a benchmark in the field of accommodation. It provides visitors with simple and effective solutions, particularly those confronted with problems of last-minute hotel availability. Accessible on the Internet, NiceRes has adapted perfectly to evolutions in visitor behaviour. Today, as visitors increasingly tend to take it upon themselves to organise what they do once they are here, the programme extends to reserving tours and excursions in Nice. 7

8 Useful information Tel +33 (0) NCVB Nice Convention & Visitors Bureau Office du Tourisme et des Congrès Direction de la Communication 5 promenade des Anglais - BP Nice Cedex 4 - France Tel: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) communication@otcnice.com UK office Moulden Marketing Limited Unit H, The Annexe, The Business Centre Wharf Lane, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SL8 5RU - England Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) mouldenuk@aol.com Other useful contact details Ports Direction des Ports - CCI 20, Quai Lunel Nice - France Tel: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) anne-sophie.peyran@cote-azur.cci.fr Acropolis Congress and Exhibition Centre GL Events 1, Esplanade Kennedy Nice - France Tel: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) dcom@nice.acropolis.com Association of French Riviera Hotel Owners Michel Tchann - Président 17 rue Paganini Nice - France Tel:+33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) hotels.cotedazur@wanadoo.fr Restaurant Owners' Association Hubert Boivin - Président 8 rue Eugène Emmanuel Nice - France Tel:+33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) cafes.restaurant.nice@wanadoo.fr Nice International Airport Service Presse Nice Cedex - France Tel: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) corinne.usmeroli@cote-azur.aeroport.fr 8