Tourists

From the Eiffel Tower to Niagara Falls: Famous Landmarks That Disappoint Tourists

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Every city has its share of so-called “must-see” spots. They are often recommended by guides and travel websites, as well as by town halls, but is that really a guarantee you’ll enjoy them? On site, it can be a real letdown when they do not always meet visitors’ expectations. In the age of social media, where everyone wants to capture the perfect shot, some tourists seem surprised to discover, once they reach their destination, that the most emblematic monuments resemble… the photos they had seen. Nothing more, nothing less.

The Daily Mail makes light of the fact that the Eiffel Tower is reduced in negative comments to “a big tower” and that Big Ben is described as a “big clock” by a traveler who expected to be more impressed by this British pride. There is “no point” in going there since you can now read the time on your phone, the traveler notes.

The “Electric Pylon” of Paris Sparks Outrage

In the Brembana Valley, in northern Italy, it is cows that have become the target of criticism. Vacationers complain about the sound of their bells, which they can hear day and night when staying near these mountains. A Serina resident told the newspaper that it is “impossible to spend holidays here with the cows’ bells within 10 metres of the building”. Her husband even speaks of “noise pollution”.

In response, the town’s mayor defends these animals, whom he considers “a part of our history and our culture”. It is indeed worth remembering that cattle were there long before Airbnb rentals. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower also escapes not from sharp remarks. On Reddit, a tourist described it as a simple “relay antenna”, far from the architectural masterpiece sold. Another person finds that it resembles a “electric pylon”, while a third online user declares that “the building does not deserve to be worshipped”. A hard blow for one of the most famous symbols of France, which has dominated the capital since 1889.

Le Grand Canyon ne serait qu’un “immense trou”

Niagara Falls also leaves visitors perplexed. “Just water falling, nothing special”, sums up almost ironically an unsatisfied tourist. “The worst tourist trap ever, total waste of time! I’ve seen garbage in the street that’s far more beautiful!”, rages another on Google. “Magnificent waterfall! As if I didn’t see that every morning in the shower!” we can still read.

Even the Grand Canyon, though UNESCO regards it as “the most spectacular gorge in the world”, fails to win everyone over. Some reduce it to “colored mountains in a crater” or to an “immense hole in the ground”. These reactions reveal the striking gap between a place’s reputation and what visitors hope to find there. Unrealistic expectations created far too often by social networks.

Brazil: International Tourists Spent $6.5 Billion in Seven Months

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Le Brésil poursuit sa dynamique touristique en 2026 - Depositphotos.com, dabldy

TAP Air Portugal


The international tourism continues to weigh on the Brazilian economy.

According to data published Thursday, August 27, 2026 by the Central Bank of Brazil, foreign visitors spent 6.543 billion US dollars between January and July 2026, compared with 5.977 billion dollars over the same period in 2025.

Receipts generated by international tourists thus rose by 9.4% year on year.

They cover expenditures related to accommodation, dining, excursions, transportation and even commerce across the country’s various destinations.

In the single month of July, expenditures by international visitors reached 899 million US dollars.


Nearly 6 Million Foreign Visitors

This growth in receipts accompanies an increase in the number of international travelers welcomed to Brazil. Nearly 6 million foreign tourists entered the country during the first seven months of 2026.

Air transport represents the main entry point to the international market. Arrivals by air rose by 12% between January and July 2026, compared with the same period of the previous year.

Over the entire seven-month period, air travel accounted for more than 68% of international arrivals in Brazil. That share even rose in July, with more than 77% of foreign tourists entering the country by air.

This predominant role of air travel underscores the importance of international connectivity in supporting tourist flows to the various regions of Brazil.


International Tourism as an Economic Lever

For Bruno Reis, president of Embratur, the Brazilian agency in charge of promoting international tourism, the results illustrate the economic impact of tourism beyond the travel sector alone.

“When an international tourist chooses Brazil, the impact of that trip touches several sectors of the economy“, he says. According to him, the 6.5 billion dollars spent in the first seven months of the year testifies to the importance of this activity for the regions.

The diversification of promoting Brazilian destinations should also allow, according to the official, to circulate tourist expenditures across different sectors and across several regions of the country.

With nearly 6 million international visitors welcomed since the start of the year and revenues up by almost 10%, Brazil thus confirms the growth of its international tourism activity in 2026.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Thailand: Problematic Tourists Now Face Expulsion

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The Thai government has warned that “problematic” tourists could be expelled from the country, as new rules targeting foreigners convicted of illegal activities came into force on Friday.

“Problematic tourists or foreign workers who violate the law must leave”, wrote on Thursday evening on social media the Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul.

New rules governing the expulsion of foreigners who have completed their sentences were published on Friday in the Royal Gazette, the Thai official journal. They cover offenses such as visa overstay, illegal work, fraudulent business operations, the use of forged documents, or offenses punishable by at least five years in prison.

Incivilities that Are Increasingly Exasperating the Authorities

“The Thailand has a policy of welcoming foreigners who wish to travel, work, or do business. However, it has been observed that some foreigners do not act in accordance with the law or the customs of our people”, the text states.

Approved in July by the government of Conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, these measures aim to “preserve Thai cultural values”, according to authorities.

Thailand had already decided in May to reduce visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries from 60 to 30 days, in the announced bid to fight crime after a string of incidents. Altercations with tuk-tuk drivers, wild two-wheeled roadrides, public sexual escapades or illegal exploitation of businesses: incidents involving foreigners have fed local media nearly every week. A Spanish man and a Peruvian woman were expelled in May after being caught engaging in public sexual activity.

Separately, a controversy recently erupted after the French manager of a small wildlife park on the island of Koh Samui refused entry to Israelis, amid death threats and antisemitic statements.

The repeated incivilities have fueled public debate and pushed authorities to harden their tone, even as the Southeast Asian kingdom remains economically heavily dependent on tourism, which accounts for more than 10% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Thailand expects around 33.5 million foreign tourists in 2026, compared with nearly 33 million last year.

Paris Welcomed About 3.8 Million Tourists in June 2026

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La capitale a accueilli environ 3,8 millions de touristes en juin 2026 - Depositphotos.com @EnginKorkmaz

Costa Rica


The Paris tourism traffic shows a slight uptick in June 2026.

 

According to the Paris tourist office barometer – Paris je t’aime, the destination welcomed around 3.8 million visitors during the month.

Air arrivals rose by 2.4% compared with June 2025. This growth, however, masks significant differences depending on markets. The Spanish (+34.1%) and Portuguese (+19.5%) markets show the strongest gains, followed by the Polish and Mexican markets (+15.7%).

Conversely, the United Kingdom recorded a decline of 19.1%, ahead of Brazil (-11.7%), India (-11.2%) and Germany (-5.4%).

The French clientele also shows a marked rise. According to Orange Flux Vision Tourisme data, the number of overnight stays by French tourists in Greater Paris increased by 19.3% year over year.

Overall, overnight tourist presence rises by 3% for the entire month of June. Hotel occupancy remains, however, almost stable (+0.1%). This trend should be viewed in the context of a less favorable comparison base, notably due to the absence of the Bourget Air Show in 2026.

Also read: Tourism: Serge Papin expresses confidence for the summer season


A More Contrasting Start to July

The early days of July show a less uniform trend.

 

Between July 1 and 12, hotel occupancy remains slightly higher than last year (+0.4%), while overnight tourism presence falls by 3.2%.

This decline occurs despite several events likely to support attendance, including The Weeknd concerts at the Stade de France, Bad Bunny at the Plenitude Arena, and the launch of the Esports World Cup at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.


The Paris Heatwave

Weather also weighed on tourist behavior. During the heatwave episode from June 20 to 28, overnight tourist presence rose by 1.4% compared with 2025, roughly matching the trend observed for the reference period spanning from the start of June to mid-July (+1.3%).

The heat spell from July 7 to 13 was, however, accompanied by a more pronounced decline of 7.2%. The data thus suggest a greater impact of the heat on trip duration, movements, and last-minute bookings.

The heatwave also seems to have accelerated Parisians’ departures, with resident presence lower than that observed for the rest of June. These results should, however, be interpreted with caution, as the last weekend of June was also marked by the cancellations of Solidays and the Pride March.

In this context, the opening of new swimming spaces appears as an adaptation to the intense heat. In 2025, swims in the Seine attracted 100,000 people, including 13% international tourists.

In 2026, swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin generated more than 1,300 online media articles, largely positive or balanced.


Cautiously Positive Prospects for the Coming Months

The outlook for the next three months remains broadly favorable. Air bookings for August, September and October are up by 2.9%, representing around 3.2 million anticipated tourist arrivals.

The month of August is expected to remain relatively stable (+0.7%). The projected hotel occupancy rate is currently forecast to rise by 1.6%, supported in particular by the Esports World Cup, the CIGRE conference, and last-minute bookings.

September appears more mixed. Air arrivals are expected to increase by 2.1%, but the projected hotel occupancy rate remains 1.6 percentage points lower than in 2025.

The return to routine could nonetheless be boosted by a dense events calendar, including concerts by PLK, Jay-Z and Céline Dion, as well as the IPEM and Batimat trade shows.

October appears, at this stage, as the most dynamic month. Air arrivals are expected to rise by 5.8%, driven notably by the American, Chinese, Canadian, Mexican and Indian markets. Several professional engagements are also expected to support attendance, including SIAL and the French Radiology Days at the Palais des Congrès.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Tiny Tourism: What If the Perfect Trip Consisted in Doing Nothing, Like Tourists?

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What if, to truly discover a city, you had to start by forgetting the places everyone wants to see? This is the idea behind “Tiny Tourism,” a new way of traveling that prioritizes neighborhood shops, local habits, and the small details of daily life. In Dublin, this approach invites, for example, to do your grocery shopping at the supermarket, rummage through second-hand shops, or take the suburban train, rather than chaining together the must-see attractions. But by trying to flee the tourists, do we risk missing what gives a destination its identity?

Travel Often Hides in the Details of Everyday Life

“Tiny Tourism” starts from a simple principle: to discover a destination differently, it is better to observe what its inhabitants actually do, rather than reproduce the typical tourist route offered to visitors. The concept was developed by the British creative platform It’s Nice That, which looked into this growing desire to break away from classic itineraries.

The idea isn’t necessarily to seek secret or spectacular places. On the contrary, it consists of focusing on ordinary activities: buying products in a supermarket, entering a pharmacy, taking a stroll in a residential neighborhood, using public transport, or paying attention to street signs, sidewalks, and gardens. The report dedicated to “Tiny Tourism,” published by It’s Nice That Insights in April 2026, thus recommends to “zoom in on the details rather than showing panoramic landscapes”.

This approach also responds to a weariness with destinations saturated by tourism. Some travelers no longer want necessarily to encounter the same streets, the same restaurants, and the same viewpoints popularized on social networks. The report thus estimates that there exists “a powerful desire to discover the ordinary way of living in a place and to see how it contrasts with ours”.

For Liz Gorny, editor-in-chief of It’s Nice That Insights and the originator of the concept, it’s precisely these ordinary experiences that stay in conversations after a trip. “I had the impression that people were always talking about that café they went to or about what they found in a grocery store,

“That’s what seems exciting.”

In Dublin, this philosophy can thus lead to skipping traditional mementos for a second-hand shop, testing a new flavor of chips in a supermarket, or asking a local for advice. Travel becomes less a succession of monuments than a collection of small discoveries.

Should We, for That Matter, Give Up the Must-See Sights?

The problem arises when this desire to avoid touristy places becomes an absolute rule. In Dublin, some highly frequented spots remain hard to bypass without losing part of the city’s experience. Temple Bar, for instance, attracts visitors from all over the world, but its pubs and its animation are also part of local life. Trinity College, another major classic, tells a crucial part of Ireland’s cultural history.

“Tiny Tourism” shows above all that it is not necessary to choose between classic tourism and local immersion. Taking the DART to Sandycove, for example, allows one to leave the city center and discover Forty Foot, a swimming spot frequented by locals. A far less conventional experience, but one that can become one of the most memorable memories of the stay.

The concept also has its limits. A pharmacy will not necessarily be very different from the one you frequent at home, while the spontaneously given recommendations by locals can be imprecise or concern places that are closed. More importantly, some activities presented as “local” may already have become tourist attractions.

The value of “Tiny Tourism” may thus lie less in removing monuments than in changing our way of traveling. The report suggests prioritizing “an anti-show approach” which could render a stay more enduring in memory.

Rather than turning completely away from the must-sees, a middle-ground solution seems ultimately more pertinent: visit the major sites that interest us, then take the time to look at what surrounds them. Because discovering a supermarket, chatting with a swimmer, or pushing open the door of a neighborhood shop does not necessarily allow you to know a city better than its monuments. But these detours can give the trip a dimension that checklists of places to tick off do not always manage to provide.

Yunnan’s Giant Elevator That Helps Schoolchildren Also Draws Tourists

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No longer needing to rise at dawn. The lives of about twenty Chinese children have become much simpler thanks to a simple elevator. Until now, these inhabitants of Yunnan province in the southwest of the country had to plan for a three-hour trek to reach their school, perched at the top of the Nizhuhe Grand Canyon. With the installation of an elevator called Fuyao and built by the Chinese company Ningbo Hongda Elevator, the journey now takes only half an hour, according to Interesting Engineering.

This glass cabin, which can accommodate up to 81 people at a time, makes it possible to ascend the roughly 288 meters separating the village of Nizhuhe from the other communities in the city of Xuanwei, at the canyon’s edge, in just 50 seconds. To reach Guanzhai School, at an altitude of 1,650 meters, residents must, after exiting the elevator, ride a cable car for 30 minutes.

Tourists also greatly benefit from the new elevator

In 2022, already, a steel elevator named Qingyun had been erected along the canyon’s rock to facilitate journeys. Building a second one was not easy, particularly due to the logistical constraints of installing an elevator in the middle of a canyon that is heavily affected by humidity and fog. But it is now fully functional and complementary to the previous one.

The opening of Fuyao was not only designed to accommodate the handful of exhausted schoolchildren who faced six hours of walking each day to study. It is also a way to attract tourists. Since its inauguration, authorities estimate welcoming up to 15,000 visitors per day.

In China, altitude is no joke

The Chinese are no strangers to elevator feats. In Zhangjiajie National Forest Park sits the Bailong Elevator. It is regarded as the tallest outdoor elevator in the world, capable of climbing up to 326 meters amid the mountains that served as the backdrop for the film Avatar.

To draw in tourists, Chinese authorities are also rolling out even more spectacular attractions: glass bridges and suspended ladders have proliferated in recent years across the country. A way to scare oneself and make a splash on social media… to entice others to visit.

Why Are Tourists Flocking to China?

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About 35 million foreign tourists entered China in 2025. The figures from the previous year were already higher than those recorded before the pandemic, but those for 2026 look even more promising. In the first half of the year, 18 million visitors from visa-free countries visited the Middle Kingdom, pushing foreign arrivals up by 20%. For Claire Thum, a young Singaporean who chose to travel to this territory after seeing enticing videos on social media, “the first step was to set foot in Shanghai”.

Cities Where Pickpockets Target Tourists Most

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Each year, the world’s most famous tourist sites attract millions of visitors from around the globe. Yet such heavy footfall also benefits pickpockets, who take advantage of crowded spaces to steal phones, wallets, and other valuables. A study conducted by the comparison site Compare the Market identified destinations where tourists are most exposed to pickpocketing and scams. Unsurprisingly, European cities feature prominently in this ranking.

European cities dominate the ranking by a wide margin

Paris thus lands at the top of Compare the Market’s study. The French capital, which welcomes millions of tourists each year, is judged to be the destination with the highest risk of suffering a pickpocket. The most frequented areas, notably around the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, are among the main trouble spots. In these places where crowds are very large, pickpockets exploit the bustle and moments of inattention to operate discreetly. As a result, Paris scores 60.61 out of 100 on the overall “Fear of being assaulted or robbed” index, more than 20 points ahead of the second-ranked city.

Rome ranks fourth. The major tourist sites of the Italian capital, such as Roma Termini station, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Spanish Steps, also draw very large crowds, creating fertile ground for opportunistic thefts.

London occupies sixth place. Pickpockets frequently employ distraction techniques, targeting shopping streets and crowded spaces, where they sometimes operate in groups to divert the attention of their victims.

Athens sits in seventh place. The Acropolis, which welcomes a large number of visitors, is regularly cited among the zones where vigilance is required. On Facebook, a user even notes: “Pickpockets are everywhere, not just in Athens. Just be careful…” Another testimony: “I know someone who recently returned from Athens and had their wallet stolen. You simply have to stay very vigilant.”

Sofia ranks eighth. In addition to pickpocketing, travelers are urged to beware of overpriced taxis and currency-exchange scams, notably around the central train station, the central bus station, and the Lions Bridge.

Barcelona appears in ninth position. The Ramblas, Plaça de Catalunya, the Gothic Quarter, and Montcada Street are among the areas most closely watched. According to the Barcelona Police, 48.1% of the city’s offenses recorded in 2023 were pickpocketing. The Barcelona Yellow guide also urges caution: “Tourists visiting Barcelona are advised to be careful if they wear expensive watches near luxury hotels, shopping districts, and at the exits of nightclubs in the more upscale neighborhoods.” It adds: “There has been an increase in criminal gangs targeting high-end personal accessories in recent years. If you travel by car, do not leave valuables in plain sight during highway stops or when parking in underground garages.”

Amsterdam completes the top 10. The Dam Square, the central railway station, the Rijksmuseum, and certain areas of the Red Light District are considered zones where visitors should be extra vigilant.

The United States places three cities in the global top 10

Aside from Europe, the United States is the country most represented in the ranking, with three cities among the ten.

Las Vegas ranks second in the list. Known for its casinos and nonstop entertainment, it scores 47.69 out of 100 for traveler concerns about being assaulted or robbed. While the pickpocket score is relatively low, concerns about scams are the highest, at 8.4 out of 10.

New York completes the podium. The American metropolis records a score of 49.68 out of 100 for fears of assault and theft. International tourists are also particularly worried about scams and the disappearance of personal belongings.

Fifth in the ranking, Los Angeles records 15.2 out of 100 on the index dedicated to pickpocketing and scams. Despite its prestigious image, some highly frequented areas, such as Hollywood Boulevard and the nightlife districts, remain conducive to petty crime.

Ranking of the destinations most affected by pickpocketing and scams

  1. Paris, France
  2. Las Vegas, United States
  3. New York, United States
  4. Rome, Italy
  5. Los Angeles, United States
  6. London, United Kingdom
  7. Athens, Greece
  8. Sofia, Bulgaria
  9. Barcelona, Spain
  10. Amsterdam, Netherlands
  11. Lima, Peru
  12. Milan, Italy
  13. Budapest, Hungary
  14. Istanbul, Turkey
  15. Orlando, United States
  16. Nairobi, Kenya
  17. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  18. Berlin, Germany
  19. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  20. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  21. Prague, Czech Republic
  22. Beijing, China
  23. Bangkok, Thailand
  24. Vienna, Austria
  25. Warsaw, Poland
  26. Miami, United States
  27. Tokyo, Japan
  28. Antalya, Turkey
  29. Singapore
  30. Hong Kong
  31. Macao, China
  32. Shanghai, China
  33. Taipei, Taiwan
  34. Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Source: Compare the Market

Honesty Boxes Delight Locals and Tourists Across Scotland

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It’s a pleasure one never tires of. At the end of a long walk or around a street corner: stumbling upon a box containing eggs, bread, pastries, or even small works of art. In Scotland, the honesty boxes (literally: boxes of honesty) make exactly that possible, and have done so for several decades, reports The Telegraph. The tradition is so deeply rooted in the country that there is now a website listing the honesty boxes.

There are reportedly more than 340. Anyone who decides to install one—whether it is painted pink, red, decorated with a few drawings, or left in its natural state—can register on this site so that locals and tourists alike can come help themselves to good things. But all of this is not free! You will never see a seller beside the honesty boxes, but the principle of these boxes is precisely to rely on the honesty of passersby to leave a small coin in exchange for food or an item.

Honesty Boxes Remain Popular Despite the Move to Digital Payments

This tradition enables people—mostly women—who have never had the chance to turn cooking or art into a profession to rekindle their passion. In Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands, the Telegraph journalist met Lynn Johnson. Since 2008, she bakes daily to fill the garden shed she has set up as a box, which has become enormously successful. But there are no professional premises in sight, only two domestic ovens in her own home, and a steady use of stand mixers. Lynn Johnson’s growing fame eventually allowed her to open a small tea room and a shop, in addition to the shed that houses her treats.

But are customers really that honest? According to the box owners interviewed by the Telegraph, while tourists sometimes tend to steal goods, locals always leave something in return. And the era of credit cards and all-digital payments does not seem to be a real obstacle to the survival of these boxes. While owners typically request cash payments, more and more signs indicate the number or mobile banking profile to transfer payment for the goods.

The Concept of Honesty Boxes Is Spreading Worldwide

The idea of honesty boxes isn’t confined to Scotland. If you’ve hiked on well-trodden trails in France, you may have come across such a space. They still remain relatively uncommon here, but they are becoming more widespread elsewhere in the world. Some have emerged in the United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

Holidays in Gironde: Tourism Professionals Reassure Tourists Despite Fires

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“The Gironde is big, very big” : as mass evacuations and cancellations of bookings due to the fires unfold, tourism professionals hope to salvage the rest of the season in this vast department, where the forest does not burn everywhere.

“I urge tourists not to come, not to join the Gironde”, said on Sunday the department’s prefect Sophie Brocas, also inviting “the tourists present to consider another destination”.

Major losses for tourism

About 220,000 people, including holidaymakers, have already been evacuated in recent days from several Gironde towns, especially popular seaside resorts at this time of year such as Lège-Cac-Ferret. “It’s a crushing blow to a large part of the department that is mainly touristic; tourism is completely halted, it’s the end of the season”, says Patrick Seguin, president of the Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).

Nevertheless, “The Gironde is big, very big”, reminds AFP the president of the Union of Trades and Industries of the Hotel Industry (UMIH) Gironde, Franck Chaumès. “This comes from a good intention”, the prefect made this announcement “to give road routes easily accessible to firefighters and authorities” but “we hope it will be rectified” to “try to save the month of August”, he adds.

Claire Bigat, who lives in Lille and had planned two weeks of vacation in Andernos, between Biscarrosse and Lège-Cap-Ferret, “given the circumstances”, “does not want to go”. “Access seems uncertain, we have seen the authorities’ instructions and we do not want to clog the roads. Besides, our son is asthmatic, we cannot be in the smoke, and if it is to spend a vacation of desolation because everything has burned, it’s not worth it”, she tells AFP.

At Bordeaux train station, Francine Chauvirey, 76, who was spending holidays at her son’s, anticipated her return to Paris. “I had trouble breathing because of the smoke, so we changed my train ticket”, she confides to the AFP, her face protected by an FFP2 mask. Vila, a 32-year-old painter, likewise shortened his trip to Bordeaux to return home to Finland, “because of the fires”.

Tourism accounts for 7% of the department’s GDP, more than 40,000 jobs and 3.2 billion euros in direct spillovers, according to the department’s site.

“On the Cap Ferret peninsula, there are 100% losses since everyone has been evacuated”, according to Franck Chaumès. This concerns “around a hundred establishments: hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs” and “two campsites out of ten have burned”.

In the 22 other evacuated municipalities, commerce “is at a standstill” as well. “And there are also the Landes“, he adds. Nearly 40,000 holidaymakers, staying in 45 campsites in Gironde and Landes, have been evacuated so far, said Sunday to AFP Nicolas Dayot, president of the National Federation of Outdoor Hospitality (FNHPA).

Cancellations far beyond the areas affected by the fires

The evacuated zones are not the only ones seeing departures. “We have cancellations at the other end of Gironde: in Médoc, Libournais which is 70 km from Cap Ferret… It’s a catastrophe”, laments Franck Chaumès of UMIH Gironde.

A view shared by the co-chair of the Saint-Émilion tourism office, Jean-Daniel Debart, who says, “of course we must clear the roads but we must adopt more nuanced statements because not all of Gironde is affected”. “In Saint-Émilion, we are more than 80 km from the fires, this is not the Arcachon Basin”, he tells AFP. He laments that there are already “dozens of cancellations” including for August and beyond, with, for example, an “cancellation of a group that was due to come in September”, and dozens of refund requests.

One can “do oenotourism in the vineyards”, acknowledges Patrick Seguin of the CCI, “but given what French and foreign tourists see in the media, it does not tempt them to come”.

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