B&Bs, lodges, campsites and other rentals labeled Gîtes de France generated 33 million euros in economic benefits in the Drôme region last year! The national network commissioned a study, presented this Tuesday on the occasion of the autumn universities of the national federation of Gîtes de France, which were held this year in Valence, until this Thursday noon.
“The Valencia reservation center is around 4.8 million – 4.9 million euros per yearexplains Pascal Bos, the president of Gites de France en Drôme. This is really paying for your stay. Afterwards, we have the use of services: the owners who will take their laundry to the laundry, the owners of guest rooms, who serve as table d'hôte and buy local products. And in addition, there is the whole economy induced by vacationers, who go to visit the Drôme, go to eat in restaurants, buy local products, make businesses work. These are therefore the indirect induced fallout.”
360 jobs generated in the department
The one who is also vice-president of the national federation of Gîtes de France, Pascal Bos, also notes that these economic benefits are “more and more progressing”. These economic flows also create jobs: 360 in Drôme, according to the study commissioned by Gîtes de France. “Of course we have jobs in the lodgescommence Pascal Bos. For guest houses, this often represents full time. We have lodgings that are a little less busy: the owner who takes care of his gîte – let's say part-time over the year – represents half a job.” “And then, there are the vacationers who go to visit the ideal palace of the Cheval postman, there must necessarily be jobs to sell tickets. A vacationer who uses a bakery will indirectly contribute to the saleswoman's salary.” rejoices the president of the departmental association.
The study also established a top 10 municipalities in which the most label lodgings can be found. Drôme Provençale, the most touristyis best represented there with Buis-les-Baronnies, Grignan, Rémuzat, La Garde-Adhémar and Mirabel-aux-Baronnies are in the top 10. In total, 800 Gîtes de France accommodations are offered in Drôme. They are managed by almost 700 owners. Pascal Bos notes *”very strong progress over the last two years, *more than a hundred [nouveaux] owners in 2024 and 2023. The Gîtes de France Drôme had not attracted as much accommodation managers “since the 2000s”. The departmental president explains, for example, that “people who live in Paris or in large cities will buy a property for their retirement in the Drôme and, while waiting to retire, will put it up for seasonal rental.”
A successful late season
Gîtes de France Drôme expect to do just as well this year. Pascal Bos is delighted to“a very good late season”.
During the All Saints' Day holidays, owners stocked up, like last year, and the reservation rate in September increased by 7%.
