Cannes lays out the red carpet for Middle Eastern tourists.French Riviera beckons, despite the credit crunch Credit Crunch An economic condition whereby investment capital is difficult to obtain. Banks and investors become weary of lending funds to corporations thereby driving up the price of debt products for borrowers. SOAKED soak v. soaked, soak·ing, soaks v.tr. 1. a. To make thoroughly wet or saturated by or as if by placing in liquid. b. To immerse in liquid for a period of time. 2. in sun and sophistication so·phis·ti·cate v. so·phis·ti·cat·ed, so·phis·ti·cat·ing, so·phis·ti·cates v.tr. 1. To cause to become less natural, especially to make less naive and more worldly. 2. , Cannes has long been the favoured summer retreat for the well-heeled Middle Eastern tourist. For Jean-Jacques Lottermoser, director of tourism in Cannes, a key priority this year is ensuring that they will still come, travel and spend, despite the financial crisis. A unique mix of socio-economic factors has made Lottermoser's task a challenging one. "Tourists from the Middle East are very important for our economy. We are used to having them spend July and August here. With Ramadan starting earlier this year, we expect our Middle Eastern guests to leave by August 10. This means we lose at least 20 days of their occupancy," said Lottermoser. "We are also focussing on expatriates settled in the Middle East, who do not observe Ramadan and may want to leave the region during this time." Lottermoser was speaking on the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. of a workshop organised by Cannes Tourism for travel trade representatives from the Middle East. Historically Cannes has been a preferred destination for the Middle East. Last winter, however tourist traffic dropped off by 20 per cent, a direct outcome of the credit crisis, leading Cannes Tourism to come up with innovative schemes to promote the city. "We plan to work closely with tour operators and promoters, getting them to meet our partners without an intermediary. Since everyone is now looking to economise v. t. 1. same as economize. Verb 1. economise - spend sparingly, avoid the waste of; "This move will save money"; "The less fortunate will have to economize now" economize, save expend, spend, drop - pay out; "spend money" , we have to be more direct," said Lottermoser. At the workshop, tour operators from the Middle East met a diverse range of service providers, who could be featured in summer promotions. Lottermoser informed that best vendors, plus a partner, would be offered a week's holiday in Cannes, as an incentive scheme. While synonymous with synonymous with adjective equivalent to, the same as, identical to, similar to, identified with, equal to, tantamount to, interchangeable with, one and the same as its film festival, Cannes also wants to promote itself as a destination with more to offer. Laure Toma-Auneau, leisure tourism manager for Cannes Tourism, said, "Workshops and meetings with our partners (hotels, luxury shops, incoming travel agencies and transportation partners), were organised so that Middle Eastern travel professionals can understand what is available." "When they return to their country, they are able to sell Cannes beyond the luxury and film festival," she said. The group took in the old city, islands, golf courses, spas, and accommodation offerings from three and four star hotels and residences. Lottermoser also presented the Cannes-Le Club card, a new product for weekend package stays, with attractive rates for experiences like diving, flying, golf, and gastronomy gastronomy Art of selecting, preparing, serving, and enjoying fine food. Two early centres of gastronomy were China (from the 5th century BC) and Rome, the latter noted for the excess and ostentation of its banquets. classes. "There is a new demand for ethical tourism and authentic experiences beyond lying on the beach. Le Club meets these needs of today's tourists: given the strong increase in short stays, the need for recognition and pampering, the new trend in ethical travel and the erosion of purchasing power Purchasing Power 1. The value of a currency expressed in terms of the amount of goods or services that one unit of money can buy. Purchasing power is important because, all else being equal, inflation decreases the amount of goods or services you'd be able to purchase. 2. ." In July and August, about 20 per cent of incoming tourists are from the Middle East, and tourism products are designed with them in mind, said Toma-Auneau, "All the major hotels have kids' clubs and private beaches which are important for families. Middle Eastern guests prefer big rooms, preferably interconnected, big kitchens in the serviced apartments, Arabic TV channels and shattaf in the bathrooms, which have been provided in the newly decorated dec·o·rate tr.v. dec·o·rat·ed, dec·o·rat·ing, dec·o·rates 1. To furnish, provide, or adorn with something ornamental; embellish. 2. hotel rooms." Based on feedback about the lack of nightlife night·life n. Social activities or entertainment available or pursued in the evening. nightlife Noun , a big new summer disco was opened at the Palais. "Last year in 45 days, we welcomed 150,000 guests, with the Middle East heavily represented," said Lottermoser. Currently, Cannes has 129 hotels, including six five-star hotels, with 62 per cent average occupancy. After Paris, it is the second-most popular MICE destination in France, attracting 500,000 business travellers Business Traveller is a CNN International monthly television program hosted by Richard Quest.
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