Pyrenees Mountain tourist numbers increase

Description:

The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) has released a report showing that 132,600 tourists visited the Midi-Pyrenees region from November 2008 to April 2009 and they stayed 273,300 nights, 10% higher than the previous season but 25% less than the record winter season 2005/2006.

Two-thirds of the visitors were in the Hautes-Pyrenees department with Haute-Garonne and Ariege sharing the other third of the guests.  Occupancy in the Hautes-Pyrenees department was an average of 42%, but during Christmas and New Year, this jumped massively to 80%.  Most of the extra guests stayed in 0 - 2 star hotels, with this range of hotels seeing an average 3% increase, while 3 - 5 star hotels have remained static.

Much of the increase in numbers is attributed to the excellent snow conditions attracting many to the ski resorts of the region and it remains to be seen if the predictions of tourists staying close to home this year prove true.  Even so, an increase in numbers can only be good for the region and hopefully encourage many return visits to the area.

Have a look at the full report for more details (French only).

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