The good health of the Tarn lodges
The department has 600 accommodations and 450 owners with the Gîtes de France label. And the attendance figures since 2021 are green.
“We must recognize that we are doing well. In 2021, the post-covid year, we experienced a record year of attendance. We were all afraid that these numbers would drop. The very good news is that for 2022 and 2023, we are stable. » Fabien Massip, director of Gîtes de France in Tarn, with a smile.
In the department, no less than 450 owners offer 600 accommodations certified by the association.
What are the major trends?
“In the department, we rely on a family clientele that is 85% French. The 2023 figures support developments that have been gaining momentum for several years. “July is in decline. This month is special. We're not really in the swing of summer vacation yet, particularly in the first half. Let us recognize that August remains the strong month for rentals,” recognizes the director. During this period “we have many couples from the Paris region and the west of France. » Another interesting trend for Tarn gîtes. The rise of spring and fall rentals. “It works better and better, but the stays are shorter, therefore more expensive per day. There, we are dealing with a local population like the Toulouse residents and the inhabitants of the Montpellier region, who seek above all calm and greenery. »
Today, rural departments are no longer has-been. ” It is a fact. The countryside attracts. People like to go there and enjoy family walks to discover the department. Without forgetting that the price of rentals is cheaper than on the coast. »
Tourists like to discover a winegrower, look for mushrooms
It's true that after the Covid period, the cards have changed. People had a vital need for space and greenery.
“The demands are there. Tourists who come to Tarn aspire to discover the places that the owners offer. It's a “secret” hike to pick mushrooms, discover a small chapel, meet a winegrower to taste a glass, learn about their history and buy a case of wine to take home. Not forgetting a small restaurant recommended by their host. All of this is a much-requested plus. »
The Gîtes de France have been able to adapt
Faced with very tough competition from Airbnb, one might have expected a gloomy future for lodges. “A few years ago, people kept telling me, you're dead. The competition is too strong. You won’t be able to hold on,” smiles Fabien Massip. “Today, we are here, even stronger. We have been able to modernize, evolve, progress. Our website offers all the necessary elements to attract future visitors. The proof. We have more and more owners joining us. Proof that we're not that old-fashioned. »
The lodges have been able to adapt to market demand. “You should know that to be certified by the “gîtes”, an “inspector” comes to visit the premises, to see the quality of the accommodation. If everything is OK, it is labeled. If this is not the case, we advise him to find the right solutions for the future. Above all, we are here to help. And it works. »
To conclude, the director points out one last important development. “The owners of our lodges are younger and younger. Additional attractiveness to attract new customers. » In the end, all is well in the best of all tourist worlds.