Invited to Good Morning Business on BFM Business, Monday 17 August 2026, Valérie Boned, president of Entreprises du Voyage, outlined an initial assessment of the summer season. While bookings are retreating, the behaviors of the French are evolving under the influence of purchasing power, wildfires, and international tensions.
At the halfway point of the summer season, Valérie Boned believes it is still too early to draw a definitive bilan. « It’s always difficult to make a halfway assessment », she reminded Erwan Morice, noting that the season extends until the end of September, or even early October.
In France, the wildfires have weighed particularly on certain destinations. In the Var and Gironde, professionals have reported cancellations and changes of destination. «There is a wave of cancellations for destinations in Gironde, Cap Ferret, the Var, especially in outdoor hospitality », she explains.
At the halfway point of the summer season, Valérie Boned believes it is still too early to draw a definitive bilan. « It’s always difficult to make a halfway assessment », she reminded Erwan Morice, noting that the season extends until the end of September, or even early October.
In France, the wildfires have weighed particularly on certain destinations. In the Var and Gironde, professionals have reported cancellations and changes of destination. «There is a wave of cancellations for destinations in Gironde, Cap Ferret, the Var, especially in outdoor hospitality », she explains.
“There is a budget issue, the cost of living”
Facing the rise in the cost of living, the French are also watching their expenses more closely. “We are paying very close attention to expenditures, that’s for sure: there is a budget issue, the cost of living, purchasing power is very strong this year in particular,” notes the president of Entreprises du Voyage.
On foreign destinations, “there is the domestic political context, a lack of visibility, a very cautious market, and then there was the war, we cannot deny it. For foreign destinations, we have observed a very significant impact for three months. The French were waiting, and the market finally opened up in June-July. We will now have to wait for the figures. »
BFM focused on two destinations: the United States, which suffers from travel costs and the “Trump effect” and Albania, which shows strong growth, close to 300% in the Entreprises du Voyage observatory, driven notably by “a good price-quality ratio“.
On foreign destinations, “there is the domestic political context, a lack of visibility, a very cautious market, and then there was the war, we cannot deny it. For foreign destinations, we have observed a very significant impact for three months. The French were waiting, and the market finally opened up in June-July. We will now have to wait for the figures. »
BFM focused on two destinations: the United States, which suffers from travel costs and the “Trump effect” and Albania, which shows strong growth, close to 300% in the Entreprises du Voyage observatory, driven notably by “a good price-quality ratio“.
“When you have an intermediary who is a professional, you have a contact person.”
Valérie Boned also defends the role of travel agencies in the face of uncertainties. “When you have a professional intermediary, you have a contact person. If you cannot take your flight, there is assistance. If you cannot use the hotel you booked, there is a refund. That is the whole difference. Moreover, the French know this, as there is a return to travel agencies since uncertainties have multiplied and become more significant,” she recalls, as flight disruptions, notably the EasyJet strike and international events, can complicate travel.
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