Summer 2021 in Cannes: first positive visitor figures
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With the Cannes Film Festival in July and despite the restrictions linked to the health crisis, Cannes as a destination has obtained very good quantitative and qualitative tourist results for July. This success for the beginning of summer is the result of several months’ preparation with all Cannes’ tourism professionals and the recovery plan introduced in conjunction with the City of Cannes, Palais des Festivals et des Congrès and CRT Côte d'Azur France.
"The many efforts and adaptations made collectively by all Cannes’ socio-professionals, in particular thanks to the recovery unit set up, have borne fruit. The destination is seeing a very clear increase in visits and visitor spending in July compared to last year, with the return of a wonderful French and international clientele. In this extremely difficult period for the tourism sector, I would like to congratulate all the players who have shown solidarity and innovation to offer the best and reassure our international clientele. August and September look promising with, at the beginning of the new school year, the return of major professional events such as the Yachting Festival and MIPIM. We will continue all our efforts to defend jobs and income in our city."
David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes
Visitors up in July compared to 2020
At the end of the month, the first visitor figures for Cannes for July indicate a higher number of visitors than previously estimated, even though they remain lower than for 2019, before the health crisis. Indeed, the occupancy rate is up 10 points compared to 2020.
While plenty of French visitors were expected in Cannes for the beginning of summer, the international clientele, mainly from the United States, Northern Europe and the Middle East, is back in force.
The 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival played an obvious role in attracting lots of visitors and giving a positive impression internationally of the Côte d'Azur to launch the season.
Restaurants, bars and cafes, especially "high-end" ones, are also seeing much better results than 2020 thanks to the arrival of foreign visitors with high purchasing power.
For the Old Port of Cannes, the summer is proving excellent with larger boats than last year and a record 3000 boats passing through during the summer.
"This year in Cannes, every day we’re seeing a 10% stay extension rate, which is much higher than in previous years. This is due to last-minute bookings and testifies to the fact that people who come to Cannes feel good about being here."
Christine Welter, President of the Syndicat des hôteliers de Cannes
Great visitor prospects for August and September
This summer, the shows organised at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the Pyrotechnic Art Festival, the launch of the ephemeral museum of cinema, the Villa plages électro, the Villa Jamel Comedy Club and the "Porte aux étoiles" mapping are all events that add to the destination’s appeal.
August looks promising, with to date a booking rate equivalent to that of 2020, but with lots of last-minute bookings.
The return of high-end professional event activity and major events such as the Yatching Festival (7 to 12 September), MIPIM (7 and 8 September) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, and the Royal Regattas (19 to 25 September), suggest very positive visitor prospects. To date, the occupancy rate of rooms already booked in September is 28%, compared to 17% last year at the same time.
