Average results for half-term ski

FRENCH RESORTS SAY VISITOR NUMBERS THIS YEAR ARE SATISFACTORY - BUT HOLIDAYMAKERS ARE BOOKING LATE AND SPENDING LESS SKI resorts around France have reported broadly stable visitor numbers

but a decline in spending as the key half-term season ends. According to tourism research body Protourisme, 40% of French people enjoyed a winter holiday this year - up slightly on last

year's 39%. Two-thirds of these getaways were to destinations within France. Hotel and chalet occupancy rates were down about 3% year on year - averaging around the 85% mark in the main

Alpine resorts in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Resort owners in the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Franche-Comté and the Vosges also reported a generally satisfactory season, given the economic

conditions. Restaurant and shop revenues were down as holidaymakers watched their spending, and there was a growing trend for booking holidays at the last minute to take advantage of cheap

deals. The Protourisme research found the number of Parisian and British visitors to ski resorts has declined this year, replaced by a growing number of tourists from Spain and Russia. The

half-term holidays in Zone C (Ile-de-France and Bordeaux) ended this morning. RELATED STORIES: Three British chalet-owners on their success this season Hiring children's ski clothes

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