After a solid start to the winter, the plunge in sales in the spring, during the Middle East conflict, had raised fears of the worst. In the end, tour operators managed to save face for their 2025/26 fiscal year, thanks to a summer boosted by last-minute sales.
For the first time, the Syndicate of tour operating companies (Seto) unveiled its members’ data for departures in July and August, across all destinations.
They fell by 5.2% in the number of customers and by 5.1% in business volume compared with the summer of 2025, a relatively mild decline after the drops recorded in April, May and June.
For the first time, the Syndicate of tour operating companies (Seto) unveiled its members’ data for departures in July and August, across all destinations.
They fell by 5.2% in the number of customers and by 5.1% in business volume compared with the summer of 2025, a relatively mild decline after the drops recorded in April, May and June.
« We managed to stop the bleeding »
In the end, the 2025/2026 financial year (November 1, 2025–October 31, 2026), completed at 92%, should conclude with an overall business volume of €4.21 billion, down 1.4% from the previous year.
“Given the context, this remains very respectable. At the worst point of the crisis in May, I would have signed for this result. We managed to stop the bleeding,” commented Patrice Caradec, president of Seto, at a press conference.
Also read: Despite an 85,000-customer shortfall, SETO does not anticipate a catastrophic summer
“Given the context, this remains very respectable. At the worst point of the crisis in May, I would have signed for this result. We managed to stop the bleeding,” commented Patrice Caradec, president of Seto, at a press conference.
Also read: Despite an 85,000-customer shortfall, SETO does not anticipate a catastrophic summer
Belambra: 70 bookings for departures on the day itself!
In detail, Seto members transported about 2.73 million customers (down 2.6%), a shortfall of 70,000 customers. This decline is partly offset by a slight rise in the average revenue per booking to €1,543 (+1.2%).
Reflecting the concerns of French people about traveling abroad, metropolitan France shows solid growth in customer numbers to 238,000 (+4.6%), with operators sweating until the last minute.
“For example, we processed 70 bookings on the last Monday of July for trips leaving that evening, a sign of a level of hesitancy never seen before” says Alexis Gardy, president of Belambra.
Reflecting the concerns of French people about traveling abroad, metropolitan France shows solid growth in customer numbers to 238,000 (+4.6%), with operators sweating until the last minute.
“For example, we processed 70 bookings on the last Monday of July for trips leaving that evening, a sign of a level of hesitancy never seen before” says Alexis Gardy, president of Belambra.
Medium-haul: the mainland rather than the islands
The medium-haul market holds up with a 2.4% drop in customer numbers (1.93 million). The modest 1.5% rise in the average revenue per booking (to €1,101) helps limit the decline in business volume to €2.12 billion (-0.9%).
Some notable performances include Bulgaria (+56.8% but with small volumes), Egypt (+18.7%) or Morocco (+1.6%), which help offset more mixed results. Tunisia down 5.7%, Greece down 7.3%, and Portugal down 8%.
Read also : The positive figures for Egyptian tourism defy regional gloom
Within a single destination, disparities also indicate strong budget pressures. Thus, continental Spain rises by 10.9% in passenger numbers, while the Baleares and the Canaries, pricier notably due to higher kerosene prices, fall by 6.3% and 6.8% respectively.
The same pattern is seen in Italy (+6.5% for continental Italy but -15.2% for Sicily) or in Greece (+2% on the mainland and -13.2% for Crete/Rhodes). Facing these budget constraints, the French also shortened their stays, losing almost a night on average over the year.
Some notable performances include Bulgaria (+56.8% but with small volumes), Egypt (+18.7%) or Morocco (+1.6%), which help offset more mixed results. Tunisia down 5.7%, Greece down 7.3%, and Portugal down 8%.
Read also : The positive figures for Egyptian tourism defy regional gloom
Within a single destination, disparities also indicate strong budget pressures. Thus, continental Spain rises by 10.9% in passenger numbers, while the Baleares and the Canaries, pricier notably due to higher kerosene prices, fall by 6.3% and 6.8% respectively.
The same pattern is seen in Italy (+6.5% for continental Italy but -15.2% for Sicily) or in Greece (+2% on the mainland and -13.2% for Crete/Rhodes). Facing these budget constraints, the French also shortened their stays, losing almost a night on average over the year.
Long-haul: the United States continues its decline
Penalized by the sharp rise in airfares and by access difficulties through Middle East hubs, long-haul shows a more pronounced 5.9% drop in customer numbers (562,000).
Despite a small year-on-year dip of 1.2%, Mauritius becomes the preferred long-haul destination for the French when booked through a TO. It now stands as a four-season destination.
The Dominican Republic continues to perform (+7%), China regains momentum (+34.6%), as does South Africa (+30.4%).
Conversely, the decline of the United States continues (-25.5% for the year). The reasons are multiple: sales disintermediation with French travelers who increasingly fend for themselves, but also the Trump effect and sky-high on-site prices.
Mexico is also struggling (-10.9%), as is Indonesia (-23.4%).
Despite a small year-on-year dip of 1.2%, Mauritius becomes the preferred long-haul destination for the French when booked through a TO. It now stands as a four-season destination.
The Dominican Republic continues to perform (+7%), China regains momentum (+34.6%), as does South Africa (+30.4%).
Conversely, the decline of the United States continues (-25.5% for the year). The reasons are multiple: sales disintermediation with French travelers who increasingly fend for themselves, but also the Trump effect and sky-high on-site prices.
Mexico is also struggling (-10.9%), as is Indonesia (-23.4%).
