Fires in Gironde: the government wants to save the tourist season

Tourism Minister Serge Papin assures that all professionals, local elected officials, and state services are mobilized to revive tourism in the Gironde region. The massive fire has ravaged more than 40,000 hectares and led to the evacuation of over 220,000 people.

At the height of the fire, authorities asked visitors not to travel to the department, leading to numerous cancellations. According to the minister, the booking rate for tourist establishments, which had fallen to around 30% during the blaze, has risen to 60% this week. This level, however, remains below the results usually recorded during the peak summer season.

Promised aid for professionals

Communication campaigns must be launched with tourism organizations to reassure vacationers and promote sites that are still accessible. Serge Papin says he wants to remain optimistic for the second half of August, despite the considerable damage and the image left by the fires.

The government is also in discussions with insurers to compensate businesses affected by the evacuations and lost revenue. Measures planned include partial unemployment benefits, deferral of social security contributions and taxes, and support from banks. Serge Papin will travel to the Gironde region on August 17th alongside Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.