French Travel Agency Congress in Merida 2004

The French National Syndicate of Travel Agencies (SNAV) brings all the "actors" in the French tourism market together in Merida from January 20 - 24, 2004. The members of this syndicate include tour operators, travel agencies, domestic and international airlines, tourism offices, car rentals, travel insurance, trains and cruise ship companies.

SNAV functions as an intermediary between the French tourism industry and the public, protecting the consumer. It participates in different trade shows, fairs and seminars and holds a yearly Congress. In this year's Congress here in Merida, the past years numbers are analyzed, the future of French tourism and world tourism is discussed. The Congress also looks at new trends and new offerings for the French tourist.

The Tourism Impact on Countries that Organize the Congress

The SNAV annual congress is one of the main activities of this syndicate. Participants from the major leaders of the French tourism industry meet to exchange information, opinions and plans for the future.

The principal directors and presidents of the French tourism industry attending this congress provide an incredible opportunity to any country wanting to increase sales in the French market. The highest governmental authorities of the host country inaugurate the SNAV Congresses. In a recent year in Jordan, the Queen Rania inaugurated the event, with the assistance of the Minister of Transportation, Communications and Hostelry. The Queen also brought a personal message from the Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin.

Here in Merida, the president of the Syndicate has extended an invitation to Mexican President Vicente Fox along with the Secretary of Tourism Rudolfo Elizondo, and Mr. Leon Bertrand, the French Secretary of Tourism, will be in attendance here in Merida.

The following data shows an example of the impact of French tourists to Cuba after Cuba hosted the SNAV Congress in 1998.
1998 = 18,000
2000 = 250,000
2001 = 139,000
2002 = 130,000

(Source: CPTM Francia, Anuario OMT 2000 y L echotouristique Sept. 26, 2003)

The French Market and the Mexican Destination

There is a marked increase in French tourists to Mexico. Three of the most important French tour operators initiated Paris-Cancun flights in December of 2001, a definite indication that there is great interest in Mexico on the part of the French. The majority of the French operators have reported a rise of between 30 and 50% in their sales to Mexico recently and consequently offer more and more packages in their catalogs.

The reason for this trend appears to be that Mexico is considered a safe destination in comparison to various Arab destinations or the United States and less risky for health issues than the Asian countries.

The Mexican market will certainly benefit from the presence of the SNAV Congress. There will be a number of packages sold to the SNAV participants as post-congress trips. These packages will be presented by the entire Mexican industry - hotels, airlines, etc. - and will benefit the entire country. The impact of this congress should be equivalent to a two-year publicity campaign for all the participants and sponsors.

Relevant data on the French Market

As of August 1st 2003, the population of France is 59,795,000 people.

Half of this population is between the ages of 20 and 59 years old .

The economically active population in 2002 was 26.5 million people.

The important vacation periods are: Christmas, winter (February), Easter, and summer (June - August).

The average time spent on vacation is one to two weeks.

The number one interest of the French tourist is culture, followed by variety, good food and accessible prices.

Mexico currently occupies the 12th place in the preference of French tourists as a destination.

Between 2001 and 2002 the number of French tourists rose 64.9%.

There are two daily flights between Paris and Mexico on Aeromexico and their partner Air France. Plus, there is a weekly charter flight (Star Airlines) from Paris to Cancun on Saturdays and another on Sundays (Corsair Airlines).

The occupancy on the Aeromexico and Air France flights is between 90 and 95%.

There are 64 travel agency tour operators in the French market. The following report the highest numbers of tourists to Mexico: Nouvelles Frontiers, Marsans, Look Vaoyages, Vacances Air Transat, Club Med, and Kuoni. Look Voayages handles a beach club in the Riviera Maya where they send clients for one week, adding a circuit to the Yucatan Peninsula for a week. Vacances Air Transat is the agency that sells the most trips to Mexico. Marsans Francia has trips to Mexico and a specialized tour. Most of the tour operators that sell Mexico sell the Mayan Route, a favorite destination of the French people.

Merida and the Yucatan are pleased to host the SNAV and the French citizens participating in this conference. We look forward to sharing our cultural experiences far into the future!

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