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IN BRIEF
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The report on Aude tourism for the year 2024 reveals an interesting trend: an increase in overnight stays in rural areas, but also persistent challenges for the hotel and restaurant sector. The tourism dynamic appears to be promising, with encouraging figures, although many stakeholders in the sector express concerns regarding sometimes alarming developments.
State of tourism in Aude
At the beginning of the year, the Tourism Development Agency (ADT) of Aude communicated its first results for 2024, congratulating itself on a generalized growth of tourism in the department. According to the president of the ADT, Didier Aldebert, “the data may be slightly adjusted in the coming months”, as winter season comes to an end.
Overall, 2024 shows a 3.5% increase in tourist overnight stays, reaching 21.7 million. The French have largely favored domestic stays, which had a direct impact on rural destinations. However, these results must be contextualized, as some signs indicate ongoing difficulties, particularly within the hotel sector.
A favorable dynamic for rural areas
Overnight stays in rural areas have experienced a strong dynamic this year, representing one of the main sources of growth. In Castelnaudary, for example, overnight stays increased by 4.8% in 2024 compared to 2023. This trend is the result of local efforts made to enhance attractiveness, notably through diverse activities and improved infrastructure.
This improvement is not limited to the gîte sector alone. Indeed, the attendance of natural spaces, such as the Cathar Trail, has also recorded encouraging results, attracting a growing number of hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The challenges of the hotel and restaurant sector
Despite this good news regarding rural areas, the hotel and restaurant sector faces more complicated realities. Professionals have observed a stability in attendance, but some establishments, particularly smaller ones, struggle to maintain their activity, with a gradual disappearance of low-capacity campgrounds. This situation raises concerns among local stakeholders who are calling for concrete support.
Moreover, the staff shortage and rising costs of raw materials complicate the situation, with professionals mentioning necessary investments to comply with new standards. This reality is not isolated to Aude but is found at the national level, making competition even more challenging among establishments.
Future prospects
Gîtes de France, with a well-established presence in the Aude landscape, seem to be thriving. With more than 1,000 listed gîtes, their economic impact is significant, generating approximately 56 million euros in 2024, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year. This type of accommodation is seen as a strategic asset for Aude, given its ability to offer stays focused on authenticity and discovery.
The tourism report for Aude in 2024 highlights a rise in overnight stays in rural areas, confirming the growing appeal of less urbanized destinations. Nevertheless, the challenges affecting the hotel and restaurant sector underscore the need for a strengthened support strategy for these crucial sectors of the local economy. In the face of these challenges and expectations, tourism stakeholders must mobilize to sustain this dynamic and ensure a flourishing future for the entire territory.
