French tourism body moves to put wildfires situation into context

French tourism officials insist that the “vast majority” of destinations are open to visitors this summer as wildfires “remain localised”.

 

Atout France, the country’s tourism development agency, issued a statement on Friday in the wake of fires which have devastated countryside and the Atlantic coast to the east of Bordeaux.

 

While travellers are advised to avoid the areas directly affected by the fires, other parts of the region are welcoming visitors.

   

“Like other European countries, France is currently experiencing an exceptional wave of wildfires, fuelled by extreme weather conditions,” the organisation said.

 

“In the affected areas, the French government is currently mobilising all available resources to extinguish the fires and protect the population, combat forest fires through prevention, and enable businesses to resume operations as quickly as possible.

 

“These fires, while severe, remain confined to limited areas of the country. They do not affect the ability to welcome visitors to the vast majority of French destinations, which continue to offer completely normal conditions for travellers.”

 

Only two out of 12 departments in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France’s third-most popular tourist region and its largest, have been partially affected by the raging fires, Atout France pointed out.

 

These are the northern portion of the Landes department where fires are under control and the southern part of Gironde where emergency services remain “heavily mobilised” to bring a megafire under control.

 

Other fires, which are equally intense but on a smaller scale, are currently burning in Haute-Corse, the Var and the Hautes-Alpes, where they have been contained.

 

Atout France added: “Government authorities are fully mobilised to restore the situation as quickly as possible in the affected areas.

 

“Alongside them, French tourism professionals are demonstrating exemplary solidarity by welcoming evacuees, offering alternative accommodation to affected holidaymakers, and ensuring that their stays can continue under the best possible conditions.

 

“One of the best ways to support these efforts is to continue travelling to France, choosing from the many destinations, in the southwest as well as throughout the country that continue to welcome visitors under the best possible conditions.”