Summer is over, it’s time to do the results of the tourist season. The Gîtes de France took stock this Monday, September 30, 2024 during a press conference in Fabrègues. Like every year, attendance is up this year, as is the number of gîtes and guest rooms emerging in the department. France Bleu Hérault interviewed Bernard Goujon, the president of Gîtes de France in Hérault.
France Bleu Hérault: What are the results for summer 2024?
Bernard Goujon: The season went very well, we have a very good record, up 26% in reservations compared to last year. We are very satisfied, it is the result of the policy that we have been pursuing for three or four years to relaunch this Gîtes de France movement in Hérault.
How to deal with competition, particularly from Airbnb?
Our basis is our values, particularly hospitality, which is very important to us. As a reminder, at Gîtes de France, there is always contact with the people who come to us before, during, and often after. We are dealing with people, that’s the priority.
The number of lodges increases each year by approximately 18%. How can we fight against overtourism?
I don’t think we’ll get too many tourists here in Hérault. The territory is really vast, and what we are helping to do is to geographically diversify the influx of tourists into Hérault, since we are present 20% on the coast, and 80% inland. . We must encourage visitors to come to Salagou, Pic-Saint-Loup and Minervois instead.
What is the profile of the new gîte owners?
The new owners are younger and younger, and there are also more and more people who make this their main activity, but while remaining within the values of Gîtes de France. I wouldn’t say that the majority of people become professional, but the number increases every year.
How are the All Saints’ and Christmas holidays shaping up?
Reservations are starting to come in slowly, but we are really dependent on the weather, there are a lot of last minute reservations. People determine their vacations based on the weather in general.
Gîtes de France in a few figures
- +26% attendance compared to last year at the same period in Hérault
- 644 accommodations and 473 owners of gîtes or guest rooms in the department
- 340 municipalities where Gîtes de France are located
- 20% of Hérault lodgings are on the coast, 80% inland
- 85% of Gîtes de France customers are of French nationality
- 30% of reservations are made at the last minute.
