Despite the Covid health crisis, in December the tourism and culture sectors filled up in Toulouse
Despite the health constraints linked to the coronavirus epidemic, the tourism and culture sector experienced remarkable attendance in December 2021 according to data provided by the Toulouse Métropole Tourist Office.
Despite the health constraints linked to the coronavirus epidemic, the first data by Toulouse Métropole Tourist Office for the month of December generated a very marked development of tourism and culture.
The tourism sector for the month of December was marked by 3 positive trends:
- The strong comeback of Spanish customers
- The success of the Blagnac Lantern Festival, a lever for attractiveness at the end of 2021.
- Attendance at exhibitions and cultural sites in Toulouse despite health measures.
“In terms of tourism, the year 2021 will actually have its initial end at the end of May through a sustained recovery followed by a flamboyant and innovative summer. The autumn recovery was contrasted with the persistent difficulties of tourism in The year ended positively with figures higher than those of 2019, especially during the holidays with no less than 7 visitors out of 10 of non-regional origin. In short, a year of changes which sees the Toulouse model of tourism of the four seasons settle in through new offers and quality events. Culture, dreams, heritage, good food, immersive and unique experiences go hand in hand in Toulouse! “, explains Jean-Claude Dardelet, President of the Attractiveness Agency and Vice-President of Toulouse Métropole.
According to the Toulouse Métropole Tourist Office, the objectives were reached and even exceeded for commercial acts with 170 groups confirmed in December. This in particular thanks to:
- Blagnac Lantern Festival which has increased the consumption of tourist activities such as guided tours, day trips, overnight stays in Toulouse hotels. The turnover of the Tourist Office linked to these activities more than doubled in 2021 compared to 2019.
- guided tours organized in partnership with Les Abattoirs as part of the La Dame à la Licorne exhibition.
- the 51 themed guided tours for individuals saw a good occupancy rate, resulting in a 41% increase in tourist attendance.
December tourists were also sensitive to the Tourism Pass offer, with 428 passes purchased (including 188 only during school holidays). In total, more than 4,600 Tourism Passes were sold in 2021.
Accommodation
As the hotel activity is particularly dependent on the health context, professionals believe that the first half of December was the most buoyant in terms of turnover, supported by the Lantern Festival effect and the return of Spanish customers. .
Culture in the spotlight with strong Franco-Spanish attendance
During the school holidays, nearly 6,500 visitors were welcomed at the Tourist Office, 70% of whom were not from the Occitanie Region. Over the month of December, 40% of visitors came from abroad. Among these international visitors, the vast majority were from Spain.
Blagnac Lantern Festival, driving event
The 1st edition of the Blagnac Lantern Festival has already registered more than 200,000 admissions from December 1, 2021 to January 2, 2022 (for more than 300,000 tickets already sold). 70% of these entries are booked during school holidays.
17,000 admissions were recorded over the long weekend from December 4 to 8, a period of significant holidays in Spain.
Convent of the Jacobins
The Couvent des Jacobins also attracted the general public, more than 13,800 visitors were recorded, more than 50% of whom came from France outside Occitania and more than 10% from foreigners. Among these visitors, more than 7,500 came to discover the retrospective dedicated to Jean Dieuzaide.
The Musée des Abattoirs is a success with the event exhibition “La Dame à la Licorne”. More than 9,500 visitors during the 15 days of the school holidays visited the exhibition, 85% mainly regional.
Museum & Quai des Savoirs
More than 12,500 visitors were seduced by the cultural and family offer offered by the Museum during the Christmas holidays, with a more pronounced peak during the 2nd week.
Regarding the Quai des Savoirs, the brand new exhibition “Critical Spirit, think again” has found its audience. Since its opening on December 26, it has attracted an audience that already represents 60% of visitors. The Quai des Savoirs plans to increase its attendance for the following weeks, in particular thanks to school audiences.
Machine Hall
Nearly 13,900 visitors went to meet the True Machinists and the Minotaur during the school holidays: the visit of the Machine Hall and Minotaur trips on the Trail of the Giants have many families.
The Flight of the Pioneers
Carried by the exhibition dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Flight of the Pioneers continues its momentum and continues to record an increase in attendance with more than 2,500 visitors welcomed during the school holidays (+ 26% versus 2019).
Space City
Moon episode II exhibition, Carré d’agu, temporary exhibition Terra Willy, workshop “How ESA recruits its astronauts?”: The exhibition at the City of Space visited nearly 17,000 visitors during the school holidays, an attendance similar to that of 2019.