A Reflection of Summer 2023

 

In one word - busy.

Well, actually, since the Cote d’Azur broke tourism records again this year so to say it was busy is a definite understatement.

It was expected that summer 2022 would be hectic due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions being lifted and people desiring to get out and live again, but it was still astonishing to witness on every level how many visitors came to the region.

In the past, a summer season in the region would start around the end of April until the end of September after the Monaco Yacht Show which is usually also an indicator that the season has ended. What is quite noticeable now is people are starting their holidays sooner around the middle or end of March, or choosing to arrive in September or even as late as the end of October.

Local news reports indicated back in early April that visitor hotspots like Eze Village were receiving 1000+ visitors a day bringing the total to 5000+ over their normal amount which just continued to climb in numbers as summer approached. To this point, the municipality is considering measures to regulate the influx of tourists.

From my business side, clients wanting to rent a vacation property had begun booking their villa stay back in late 2022, (which was reminiscent of before COVID-19), and for numerous reasons such as to confirm their accommodation during the prime of the season, better rates, more choice in properties, and even to avoid the crowds in certain locations.

This also extended to those searching for a property to buy but off-peak periods in the region, simply because they wanted to experience what life might be like here during a quieter part of the year when it is more back to the locals, the range of property choices, and when an agent has more availability away from the height of the season so there is less of a rush for all parties involved. So clients were arriving during the winter months and springtime.

Currently, this Autumn, owners of villa rentals have decided to keep their properties open for guests longer simply because the weather is still summer-like but mainly because the demand is still there. Typically after summer is when people either arrive for their first time or return after spending a summer vacation here to look for a property to buy as the rush of summer is over so viewings can be done at a calmer pace. 

There has always been an unspoken secret with the locals which suggested that September is also a great time to enjoy the region as the weather is still perfect for swimming, prices are slightly lower, heat waves are rare, and overall the main flux of visitors are have left having to get their kids back in school and traditionally more people are back at work.

That secret is no more if the past two months of September are any indication. One could tell a slight decrease in the number of tourists during that month, but not by much. Hotels and restaurants were still booked up, beaches were full, and nightlife was in full swing as with everything else, with the mood being that of the height of summer and this has now extended into October to a large extent.

There are regional hotels that usually close for the winter season that have decided to stay open an extra month longer with rates only slightly decreasing and the same goes for Airbnb rentals. Some locals seem a bit surprised by the activity but as with the roar of summer here, it’s best to evolve with it all.

So my advice is this, if you are considering booking a villa for a holiday, the sooner you do it, the better as you can possibly get the property you want at a great rate (possibly even discounted if the stay is long enough), and in the location you desire to avoid areas and properties that tend to be completely booked out early.

Before the pandemic hit, typically people would book a villa rental for a week or two at the most. Now people are booking anywhere from one month to three or even six months, just so they know they have a property they love and can use as as a base to come and go from during the summer months. Don’t let this dissuade you though, rentals are still available on a weekly basis, it’s just best to book them early, especially if you have a tight budget.

If you are looking for a property to possibly buy, anytime before or after July or August is usually the best, this way you won’t feel rushed with the pace here in summer, also it is more pleasant when you can look at a property when there isn’t a potential heat wave taking place, agents, and owners will also have more time to focus on you and what you want.

Keep in mind, that August is also the month when most people in France take that whole month off for their yearly holiday, so that can restrict some access. But as they say here, things just seem to have a way of working out, and for ourselves, we have a resourceful way of making things happen.

With social media and the plethora of information out there, travelers have become more knowledgeable about what is going to work for them in terms of a vacation or business trip. It’s always a pleasure to work with those who educate themselves about this beautiful part of France and to help guide them more on how they can get the best out of their trip.

Let’s get planning for 2024!

Monaco Summer Tourism Stats Shine

 

Monaco held strong this past summer when it comes to tourism in the Principality.

A plethora of non-European visitors, including an uptick in the number of global tourists, is partially to thank for a prosperous summer season in Monaco.

An initial review was held on how well Monaco’s various attractions and venues had done over this past summer and it indicated record visitor numbers, such as the record-breaking Monet en Pleine Lumière exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum as the Monaco Tourism and Convention Department has released its official report on the 2023 summer tourist season. 

Monaco has always garnered an international appeal. And although occupancy rates in hotels are still down slightly on the prodigious pre-pandemic year of 2019 (likely due to costs), they did hit an impressive 75% in July and 72% in August. This is primarily due to a high influx of tourists from North America, Italy being close by, along with France at its border, and the UK, who round out the Top Four nations who most visited the Principality.

“Monaco attracts a very good clientele,” says Monaco Tourism and Convention Department Director Guy Antognelli. “What we are seeing overall compared to 2019 is a growth in non-European customers, including a strong increase in the Middle East.”

Asian visitors have lowered in number, according to the data, but global tourists made up for those numbers.

“Japan has picked up this year, China is at just under 40% of the outbound tourism it had in 2019… It’s still a little complicated,” explains Antognelli. “Australians are present in [good] numbers in Monaco, an increase compared to 2019. These are markets with a promising future for the Principality. We will see them much more present in 2024.”

The Tourism Department is now looking ahead to the autumn, with several high-profile conventions and events on the horizon, amongst them the recent Monaco Yacht Show, followed by Assises de la Sécurité, Luxe Pack, and Sportel. 

“These are all major events, which are sold out and some of which will attract more participants than in previous editions,” assures Antognelli. “Requests for 2024, 2025, and 2026 are already coming in. This proves that the Principality also remains attractive for business conferences and seminars.”

Nice: Grindr Court Case

Last week, four men suspected of a series of ambushes targeting gay men in Nice in July 2022 were sentenced on September 28, 2023, to up to four years in prison for two of the assailants, and 18 and 15 months for their accomplices.

These prison sentences were heavier than those requested by the public prosecutor, but the criminal court retained only the aggravating circumstance of a meeting, not homophobia.

The accused, aged between 17 and 27 at the time of the attacks, organized their stalking via the gay dating app Grindr. The victims were assaulted in their homes, robbed, and one was even stabbed with a knife. This modus operandi enabled investigators to link the attacks and identify the suspects.

But, as the Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d'Azur, a civil party in the case, reminds us, more than 80% of victims of LGBT+phobic acts never lodge a complaint, according to figures from the French Ministry of the Interior. This is hardly surprising, however, "if the courts are unable to find the aggravating factor of homophobia in such cases?!" worries the association.

Personally, as someone who before making the move to the Cote d’Azur, had frequently visited the region since 1990, my friends and I do find the region to be extremely safe, especially when compared to cities in our homelands of North America and other countries in Europe and the UK.

I have been out and about at all times of the day or night, any time of year, either on my own or with friends, and have not, fortunately, run into any problems. That’s not to say there aren’t any homophobic a**holes out there, but like anywhere else in the world, it’s best to be aware of your surroundings and actions for your own safety.

What I do see frequently are visitors who arrive (of all sexualities) to the region, who seem to go into a vacation bubble of sorts once off the plane, assuming because they are on holiday, nothing bad will happen to them.

At times it is as though you can see the glazed look on their faces, and this extends to how they act on social media dating apps. I’m the kind of person who is always up for some kind of adventure, but I tend to think a touch more rationally about it all first.

If someone seems too good to be true, my advice is to go with your gut instinct and ask yourself if it is worth it. And consider meeting in a public place first and take it from there.

The French Riviera is an international travel destination that attracts people from around the world. It is a very safe place to live and visit, but like anywhere else is not without its issues so operate as you would where you live and take care of yourself first.

Pride Marseille 2023

 

On Saturday, September 30th, 2023, the LGBTQIA+ community in Marseille celebrates its 30th anniversary of Pride.

This is the opportunity for locals and visitors alike to join together to show support for one another in equal rights, and social justice, and to support victims of discrimination and LGBTIphobia in France.

Fierté Marseille is the organization that takes care of not only all the work involved in planning for Pride every year, but they are also in charge of the future LGBTQIA+ Center being established in Marseille.

This year, the Pride parade will start its route at the Porte d'Aix at 14h where everyone will then make their way through the streets of Marseille celebrating moments of Pride while also peacefully protesting towards Vieux-Port with the final point of gathering to be on the Quai du Port at approximately 17h.

Have a safe and supportive Pride event, everyone!