After the long parenthesis of the health crisis, which had slowed down the tourism sector, the two summer months mark a return of tourists to Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine). “The summer season was punctuated by major cultural events”, indicates the Destination Rennes tourist office, which recorded attendance close to summer 2019, with nearly 30,000 visitors welcomed in July and August.
The success of the Pinault exhibition
The Pinault exhibition “Beyond the color, black and white ‘attracted a crowd, and more broadly the entire Exporama route offered in town around contemporary art. Thus, at the Jacobins convent, Destination Rennes offered up to six visits per day, bringing together 5,000 visitors over two months.
Among the tourists, many came from the French regions (Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Occitanie and Provence Alpes-Côtes d’Azur). Local tourism has amplified the trend, with Bretillians and more generally Bretons who come to rediscover their region. “Foreign attendance was logically lower this summer, as everywhere in France”, continues the tourist office.
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The Pinault exhibition, at the Jacobins convent in Rennes, attracted many tourists this summer 2021. © Joël Le Gall / Ouest-France
Most sales through the website
A one-stop shop allows you to find a large number of events and activities organized on the territory of the metropolis: behind-the-scenes tour of Roazhon Park, river ride in an electric boat, kayak, paddle, pedal boats, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, museums ,… All in conjunction with fifty partners. “Outdoor and river activities take first place, then come the Rennes Citypass and guided tours. 70% of the offers sold by Destination Rennes this summer were via the website. “
Visit Roazhon Park
More than 13,000 people have registered for the guided tours. The Street Art and Roazhon Park tours are popular, alongside those of Parliament, are still popular. “Given the health situation at the start of summer, we are satisfied with the summer season which has just ended. The challenge for the coming months is to find and consolidate the flows of previous years ”, says Jean-François Kerroc’h, Managing Director of Destination Rennes.
The back-to-school event program already looks promising with the European Heritage Days, the Now Festival, the Grand Soufflet, I’m From Rennes, etc. Business tourism is also gaining momentum, with the return of conferences. “The Jacobins convent is back to full activity, with many events. “ To start with the World Organic Congress which took place all this week within the walls of the former convent, with spinoffs for local hoteliers and restaurateurs.
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