The big day is approaching and the first reservations are tied to the hoteliers, while the restaurateurs are still undecided on what to do.
Three weeks after the launch of the Lantern Festival (from 1 December to 5 February), awaiting the thousands of visitors expected, the first trends in terms of impact emerge. Hoteliers and restaurateurs, aware of this rare opportunity in the low season, are preparing. Last year, in Blagnac, despite an edition under the Covid regime, hoteliers saw a 30% increase in the number of customers. Montauban and its suburbs, which offer a total of 1,500 rooms, should also do the same. At the Ibis, which has three hotels, reservations are going well. “We already have about ten groups sent to us by the tourist office and some families. We are full from 8 to 10 December and every weekend from 10 December. We are still waiting for confirmation, but there is a big difference in attendance compared to the same time last year “.
In Bressols also Sure Hotel, of the Best Western group, has some requests, especially for groups, but nothing transcendent. Same story at the Kyriad. “For the moment we have a bus and three others awaiting confirmation, says the boss, Noémie Tonnelier. At the Tourist Office we were told that they were overwhelmed by the requests, but he is not in a hurry, I am a bit disappointed. Fortunately we are recovering. ground with traveling professionals who are more numerous than in the past “.
“50% of visitors stop in the city”
Among restaurateurs, it is also time for questions. Should you hire without knowing if the customers will be there, should you adapt your schedules and provide different services? Questions fly unanswered before the three hits of the event. The Tarn-et-Garonne has 550 cafes, restaurants, hotels, discos and restaurateurs, 50% of which are located in the Grand Montauban area. An offer capable of satisfying tourists and visitors, especially since within the festival area we know that there will be only three catering for VIPs and three food-trucks.
Co-president of the Union des Métiers de l’Industrie Hôtelière (UMIH 82), Valérie Pons, who is also patron of the Fort restaurant in Montauban, wants to be optimistic. “The festival can accommodate up to 10,000 people a day and we know that historically 50% of visitors stay in the city. You have to be able to offer one offer before the opening and another after. A first edition in Montauban and everything is to be built “.
UMIH sent a questionnaire to its members to learn about their skills and needs and to make these contacts available to visitors. As for the workforce, at the center of procrastination, Pôle emploi and all the services involved, focused on the hotel and restaurant sector. “Thanks to the work done upstream, we have a real swimming pool. 250 people are mobilized and available. We have built tools and everyone is ready,” says Valérie Pons.
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