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On the 9th of November BANKO correspondent was finding out what was happening in France (see news as of 2 and 7th of November). Because of the continuing disorder the French embassy introduced curfews in thirty of communities in 5 regions of the country. New rules are practiced in Nice, Cote D’Azur, in the cities of Orleans, Amiens, and many others. In Paris serious measures are taken to enforce the patrolling of the streets and protection of tourist objects.
However, Russian tour operators are quite relaxed because their clients are not fleeing the country. For example, ‘Ascent travel’ has 30 holiday-makers in Paris. ‘Pac Group’ has a similar number of tourists in France. DSBW sent around 100 people to France, 60 of which travel by bus. ‘The danger is overestimated’, believes Maria Elagina, head of the French destination of PAC group. According to her, even groups of schoolchildren do not cancel their trips, there are not enough available rooms in Paris. Irina Gordeeva, deputy director of promoting travel product in ‘Capital tour’, refers to the official letter of the French partner, who blamed the Russian mass media in exaggerating the situation and assured operators that there is no danger for tourists. The fact that the situation is under authorities’ control is confirmed in the official document received by BANKO on the 9th of November from the Maison de France in Paris. Still experts admit that the situation at the French destination is not pleasant. The travel flow to the country reduces every day. Operators reluctantly admit facts of cancellation. According to their prognoses, it is most probable that instead of Paris, a popular place for New Year holiday, Russian tourists will choose other European cities. On the other hand, Georgiy Mockov, general director of ‘Persona Grata’, told BANKO that in case of injuries Russian citizens have a right to request compensation from travel firms, so it is advisable to take a letter from holiday-makers. He also reminded that ‘according to the article 14 of the Federal Law: ‘About travel activities in Russian Federation’’ tour operators and travel agents are obliged to provide clients with full information of possible dangers they may face’. The results of the survey, carried out by a BANKO correspondent, showed that the majority of operators consulted their tourists on the topic of safety. For example, they do not advise Russians to visit Mon-Martre at night, as well as 18, 19 and 20th regions of Paris and suburbs.
We remind you that on the 10th of November since 12 till 14:30 there will be an online-broadcast held on the professional forum www.tourdom.ru devoted to the topic ‘Paris: what is being made for the safety of tourists’. The results of discussion read in out today’s BANKO news.
