Gironde wildfires deter tourists, causing August hotel bookings to plummet

The summer tourist season in France's Gironde region is suffering a severe blow as wildfires deter visitors, even in areas far from the flames. Cancellations are outpacing new bookings for August and September in the Arcachon Bay area, a popular tourist destination.

A study by the MKG firm indicates that hotel occupancy rates have dropped significantly, with only 45% of rooms booked for August. Last-minute bookings, typically a strong segment at this time of year, have fallen by 17 points. The crisis could cost the hotel sector between two and five million euros each week, according to MKG's estimates.

This financial impact does not even account for the broader tourism industry, which includes tourist residences and, notably, campsites. The Arcachon Bay area has five campsites for every hotel room, suggesting the overall economic fallout could be substantially higher. The fires, which began in late July, have forced the evacuation of up to 220,000 people, adding to the disruption of the region's vital tourism economy.