recovery yes, but not yet 2019 levels
In Toulouse, tourists pass but do not stay. It could be in a city with multiple assets but which does not yet have the power of tourist attraction of Bordeaux or Lyon. By favoring business or conference tourism, Toulouse struggles to establish itself in the city break destinations, these cities where couples and friends meet for a weekend getaway. But there is clear progress.
Thank you Spaniards!
The Toulouse Métropole attractiveness agency observes in particular a increase in average length of stay visitors with the growing sale of 72- or 48-hour tourism passes, rather than 24. Sales of guided tours have also doubled compared to 2019, it must be said that the offer has greatly expanded. Groups are also back with visits organized by works councils or schools. This is how industrial visits to Airbuswith Manatour, shows similar performance to pre-Covid.
The foreign clientele is not yet established apart from the faithful Spaniards who alone constitute 17% of visitors to Toulouse. The Spaniards are particularly present at the end of winter, freed by Holy Week, which is an opportunity for them to cross the border. The Iberians are thus more numerous than the inhabitants of Occitania themselves (13%). Two thirds of tourists in Toulouse are French.
Several establishments are doing well: the Machine Hall who took advantage of the Long Ma event, the release of his dragon horse since returning to China welcomed 80,000 spectators during this Easter weekend. Its neighbor in Montaudran, Flight of the Pioneers has also been able to concretize its progress with its exhibition on Antoine de St Exupéry. This small airmail museum, completed in December 2018, is beginning to find its audience, particularly with a non-Occitan French clientele which constitutes 40% of admissions.
Several registered museums of higher levels in 2019: the museum Georges Labit, Saint RaymondEDF Bazaclethe Water tower or the museum of Old Toulouse. Big ticket providers like the Basilica of Saint Sernin and the Jacobin Convent also regains a more than encouraging dynamism. The Cité de l’Espace, champion of all categories of scientific culture in Toulouse, is running at its pre-Covid levels, thanks to its Martian Terrain. The Toulouse boats which offers rides on the Garonne or the Canal du Midi also displays occupancy rates 10% higher than in 2019.