" Look at our territory: a green, mountainous, relatively compact island with a small population of less than 350,000. This could be a weakness. In fact, it's a real asset for tourism. ". With these words Daniel CharavinGeneral Manager ofCorsica Tourism Agency (ATC), talks about his island.
And he's not wrong. La Corsica has a card to play in the Mediterranean, particularly on the French market. The island is home to some three million tourists a yearOf these, almost 75% came from France. Corsica's proximity - between an hour and an hour and a half from most of France's major cities - and its infrastructure for welcoming visitors, particularly those travelling for business reasons or as part of an incentive trip, are crucial assets. " We have four airports serving the region and several ports for cruise ships. And we guarantee a high quality of service and safety. "explains Daniel Charavin.
Yet business tourism is still a marginal marketfor a seasonal destination - more than 72% of tourists visiting the region do so between May and September. Only urban areas such as Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi have the resources to welcome visitors all year round, with sufficient hotel capacity for business travellers at least.
MICE and business travel are ideal activities for attracting tourists out of season
" Le business tourism currently represents just over 10% of all arrivals on the island. But we believe the potential is there. Firstly, because overhead lines between Corsica and the mainland. In fact, air travel now accounts for almost 50% of all arrivals. We also want to diversifying our markets to mitigate the effect of seasonality on our tourism. MICE and business travel are ideal activities for attracting tourists out of season. "explains ATC's Managing Director.
The hotel capacities on the island are steadily increasing. " We have 450 hotels 60 of which are rated four or five stars "says Marie-Ange Celli-BattistelliHead of Business Tourism for ATC, who explains: " There are several hotel projects in the luxury or premium segment ". In 2017, the Mercure d'Ajaccio has added 28 new rooms, bringing its total capacity to 72 rooms. Outside Ajaccio, a 5-star establishment has opened in Cagnano in Cap Corse - in the greater Bastia region - offering 29 rooms and suites, while another 5-star hotel was inaugurated in the citadel of Bonifacio with 14 suites.
This year 2018 is marked by theinauguration of the Bastia HotelThis four-star hotel is particularly well suited to business tourism, with 60 rooms, car parking and seminar rooms. A Mercure establishment is also opening in May at Biguglia10 km from Bastia, with 82 rooms. Visit AjaccioA 4-star Ibis Style with 77 rooms is due to open.
Ajaccio now accounts for the bulk of Corsica's conference business, as Marie-Ange Celli-Battistelli confirms: " Ajaccio represents more than 50% at all trade fairsThe city is also a major tourist destination, with a number of international hotel chains and a congress centre. But the city of Bastia is working hard to develop its business tourism activities. In fact, there are a Convention Centre project in the city centre. Studies are underway to assess the project ".
So what assets can Corsica promote to business tourism professionals and travel agents to attract business customers? " Our density is one of the lowest of all the Mediterranean islands, with only 37 inhabitants per square kilometre. In comparison Sardinia has a population of 1.6 million and a population density of 68 inhabitants per square kilometre. Corsica is a breath of fresh air, with unspoilt landscapes. It's a very green island thanks to its remarkable hydrography. There are rivers absolutely everywhere. And I think that's a considerable asset for visitors, because it guarantees very authentic territories "says Daniel Charavin.
Few Mediterranean islands can offer such diversity
In fact, the regional diversity in such a small area is a remarkable asset. Daniel Charavin describes it as " 1000 km of coastline sea, mountains with ski resorts, snow until early March. Few Mediterranean islands can offer such diversity. "he continues.
But can the seasonal nature of tourism be a handicap? For Marie-Ange Celli-Battistelli, " This is not a problem. We can always work with hotels to open up certain capacities if necessary to host an event. In fact, our Convention Bureau created a "MICE Clusterwhich, in partnership with DMC of the island, helping professionals to organise business trips, incentive activities, seminars and conferences. The cluster also includes establishments catering to the residential seminar market, as well as an atypical range of products and services specifically dedicated to this market. "says Marie-Ange Celli-Battistelli.
Business tourism in Corsica :
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