the essential
With a level of activity clearly increasing in 2023 and requests for approvals still in full swing, the Gîtes de France in Tarn-et-Garonne are gaining momentum despite the formidable competition from rental platforms.
On the eve of its 70th anniversary, the “Gîtes de France” brand is still going strong. Nationally, it represents some 27 million overnight stays per year, or 15% of the market. A weight that remains significant despite the intrusion, a few years ago, of Airbnb, Booking, Abritel and other digital platforms. The Gîtes de France of Tarn-et-Garonne contribute in their measure to the success of the brand, with 70,000 overnight stays in 2023 (+ 13% of business volume compared to 2022) which involved 4,000 travelers. The members met on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in a general assembly in the plenary room of the departmental council, in the presence of Michel Weill, president of the department, and Georges Laffont, vice-president of the National Federation of Gîtes de France.
DDM – H.L.
The opportunity for Rémi-Constant Belrepayre, president of Gîtes de Tarn-et-Garonne, and Monique Ferrero, director, to paint an engaging picture of a brand “which wants to bring people together in the spirit of a big family”.
317 Gîtes de France in the 82
317 accommodation structures bear the Gîtes de France brand in the department. 61 approvals were carried out in 2023. In other words, this label is sought after. Why? Probably for its operational aspect. Owners or project leaders find personalized support there from the first plans to the labeling of the accommodation. Regulations, price positioning, communication… so much advice provided by people in the field.
DDM – H.L.
“At our house,” adds Rémi-Constant Belrepayre, “no key box. Tourists are really welcomed and with our certification and classification requirement, they know where they are going.”
Of the 317 gîtes (which can also be guest houses and B&Bs), two-thirds have 3 ears of corn or more, a sign of a level of quality corresponding to market expectations.
DDM – H.L.
“Looking for quality to achieve quantity”, summed up one of the members at the general assembly, owner of two lodges. He had just put in water a second swimming pool, “so that each accommodation can have its own”. The common swimming pool, to be shared between different guests of the same accommodation, is no longer popular apparently!
Promises and a few clouds
Like agriculture, the tourist accommodation activity is subject to hazards. In terms of promises, members of Tarn-et-Garonne identify future major projects for the LGV and the future hospital south of Montauban. There will be people to accommodate during the work over 10 to 15 years. “But we’re not the only ones who figured it out!” “. Hence the offers which will multiply. “With more than 300 accommodations for only 28 municipalities, there is a real risk that our municipalities will become tourist residence villages,” warned the director of the Deux-Rives tourist office. In the end, the risk of a cake to be shared between ever more operators. In 2023, the average basket per stay is already down by 4%, to €767 compared to €804 in 2022. Inflation surely has its part. For the summer that is coming, things are not as shivering as we would like. Not enough to dampen general enthusiasm, especially since among the new members, there is a rising, inventive and ambitious generation.
Two « youth » who are starting out in the hosting profession
Pierre Chiavassa and Karina Gervais did not know each other before taking their place, on the same bench, at the general assembly of Gîtes de France 82.
DDM – Hugues de Lestapis
Both are new members, both are “starting” in the hosting profession. One inaugurated his guesthouse the day after the general meeting, the other launched his guesthouse less than a month ago.
Two rooms, two atmospheres
Karina’s Villa Diane is 5 minutes from the center of Montauban, it is a “premium” guest room, with terrace and private swimming pool, nestled in a beautiful architect’s house. 4 épis Gîtes de France (which does not prevent her from offering her villa on platforms). Target clientele: couples. Karina talks about “professional retraining”. Until now, she was commuting between Montauban and Toulouse, working in a credit recovery company. Now, she is on site, wants to take care of her customers and “make it a full-time activity”. Pierre, for the moment, has a “real job”: he is a market gardener in Barry d’Islemade. A stone’s throw from his farm, he was able to buy a “mansion” which he transformed into a 4-bedroom gîte, or 12 beds, modern and “up-to-date” style, beautiful materials, swimming pool of course, air conditioning. A six-figure investment for these “Jardins de l’Oasis”. “Customers will be able to come and pick vegetables from our farm,” Pierre also plans, convinced of the solidity of his offer, and proud of his brand new Gîtes de France ears of corn.
