Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key details from the provided text, organized for clarity:
1. Tourism Trends in the Gironde Region (France)
* Spanish Tourists: Remain the largest foreign group, accounting for 18% of hotel stays.
* french Tourists: Make up the majority of tourists (70%), but this number decreased by 4% in 2025.
* Overall: The region is seeing shifts in tourism demographics and patterns.
2. New Air Routes (Volotea)
* Connections Launched/Planned:
* Barcelona and Seville (launched in 2025)
* Expansion of connections to Seville and Valencia (planned for 2026)
* Purpose: To cater to the demand from Spanish tourists and perhaps attract more.
3. River Cruises – A Positive Trend
* Growth: River cruises increased by 27% in 2025.
* Key Player: Swiss company Avalon, with 35 departures between Libourne/Blaye/Pauillac.
* Passenger Numbers: 26,000 passengers on river cruises (compared to 86,000 on sea cruises).
* Economic Impact: River cruise tourists stay longer – an average of seven nights in the Gironde region, versus one night for sea cruise passengers. this longer stay is beneficial for the local economy.
In essence, the article highlights a changing tourism landscape in the Gironde region, with a focus on adapting to shifts in tourist demographics, expanding air connections, and the growing importance of river cruises as a source of longer-stay, higher-value tourism.
