A new era is dawning for Pierre & Holidays – Center Parcs. The arrival of investors who are injecting 200 million euros will allow the group to get out of debt – it has 1 billion euros in debt. He will find man marginsœfinancial works, for “invest develop new sites, move upmarket and turn the page on Covid”assures Franck Gervais, Managing Director of Pierre & Holidays – Center Parcs, eco guest of franceinfo Thursday March 31. And customers do not count their expenses, assures the general manager. “They save on transport, and this amount earned, they put it in the quality of accommodation, and activities”he assures.
Thus, vacationers, “even more after these two years, seek to have fun… with responsible leisure, local tourism, less than 3 hours from home.”
Franck Gervais has reason to be satisfied, “Half of the reservations are already made for the Easter holidays. We are ahead of the period before the Covid. Especially since people are deciding more and more later, at the last moment.” In February, the occupancy rate for Pierre & Holidays was even 97%. The leader remains confident, especially since the duration of stays is a little longer than before. “People tend to leave for one or two weeks close to home, rather than 3 weeks across the Atlantic, or very far away.”
Another change since the pandemic, the strong need to be together, to experience shared moments. “They want to forge moments of conviviality with family, friends, confirms Franck Gervais. Finally, the group ensures that it responds to increasingly strong demand from customers. “Families, friends want to introduce their children to biodiversity, learn to make bread, discover insects… they come to seek time, conviviality,… what we lack in a hurried world”he pleads.
As for the resumption of the Covid epidemic, for the time being, it does not seem to disrupt the tourist season. “We are vigilant, but for the moment we do not see it in reservations, people are planning for holidays and planning stays”, concludes Franck Gervais.