Contrary to the conditions that favored the rise of low-cost airlines and the success of last-minute deal clearance steered by online agencies in the early 2000s, travel appears gradually, but surely, to become a privilege reserved for the wealthier.
The Concorde symbolized travel for an elite. Ryanair and other low-cost carriers embodied its opening to those who were previously financially – or geographically – excluded from flying.
The shift is already perceptible. In the Brest area – and this is true in Bordeaux and Lyon as well – there are more travel plans thwarted by cancellations of Volotea routes.
The airline itself is facing rising fuel costs that its business model, built on cheap tickets, struggles to absorb.
The Concorde symbolized travel for an elite. Ryanair and other low-cost carriers embodied its opening to those who were previously financially – or geographically – excluded from flying.
The shift is already perceptible. In the Brest area – and this is true in Bordeaux and Lyon as well – there are more travel plans thwarted by cancellations of Volotea routes.
The airline itself is facing rising fuel costs that its business model, built on cheap tickets, struggles to absorb.
The Volotea Symbol
So many travel hopefuls will stay home during the October holidays while they had hoped to discover Faro or the Canary Islands.And driving from Brest to reach Nantes airport to seek alternatives wasn’t exactly comfortable, but today it has become very expensive and the government’s promise of a few extra pennies at the pump won’t change the situation.
And, let’s face it, train travel isn’t a cheap alternative.
Despite these already adverse economic winds, the travel and transport industry remains a prime target for the government in its quest for new revenue sources to reduce the deficit. The 2027 Finance Bill (PLF 2027) takes aim at all players in tourism.
A Lepine-Style Tax Showdown
It notably plans to make the tax on the operation of long-distance transport infrastructures (TEITLD), with the rate possibly rising from 4.6 % to 12.2 % for the most profitable operators, and to raise from 20 € to 22 € per passenger the ceiling of the security and safety tariff (T2S) applicable to small regional airports.
The government also plans to draw 125 M€ from the surplus cash of the National Agency for Holiday Vouchers (ANCV) – risking weakening its efforts to help the poorest travelers – and to tighten the taxation on owners who rent out their properties via Airbnb.
No more, enough is enough.
When the cash cow has completely dried up, the tourism sector will have only one way to survive: continually raise the price of its services and cut the now-unprofitable offerings, risking forcing many would-be travelers to stay at home.
The government also plans to draw 125 M€ from the surplus cash of the National Agency for Holiday Vouchers (ANCV) – risking weakening its efforts to help the poorest travelers – and to tighten the taxation on owners who rent out their properties via Airbnb.
No more, enough is enough.
When the cash cow has completely dried up, the tourism sector will have only one way to survive: continually raise the price of its services and cut the now-unprofitable offerings, risking forcing many would-be travelers to stay at home.
Publié par Laurent Guéna Journaliste – TourMaG.com Voir tous les articles de Laurent Guéna
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