France Held Up Better Than Expected This Summer, Despite a Spring Slump in Bookings Triggered by the Conflict in the Middle

French holidaymakers have defied expectations this summer, with outbound travel bookings showing only a moderate decline despite a spring slump triggered by the Middle East conflict. After a difficult start to the year, last-minute bookings for trips abroad are now catching up with the season, according to Patrice Caradec, president of the Syndicat des entreprises du tour-operating (SETO). Bookings for foreign trips had started strongly in January but dropped sharply in late February when the war in the Middle East broke out, before picking up again in June.

"With sales down 20% in the spring, we expected a much more difficult season." In the end, we are finishing slightly down, around 4% to 5%, Caradec said. Figures from the Syndicat des entreprises du voyage (EDV) confirm this gradual recovery, with a marked difference between medium- and long-haul destinations. The former are down about 3.5%, while the latter have fallen by nearly 15.7%.

Budget constraints continue to shape the type of trips customers book. The French want to travel abroad, but less far and for less time, Caradec said, noting that geopolitical tensions and purchasing-power pressures have pushed holidaymakers toward nearby countries, shorter stays, and greater flexibility.