Rendez-vous en France 2017 Headed to Rouen, Normandy With a Focus on International Business and Expansion
More than ever, this 12th edition of Rendez-vous en France, the premier international B2B exhibition of French tourism, shows all its interest in the sector. This year’s participants had the opportunity to discover the many offerings of Rouen, in Normandy, on March 28 and 29.
Bringing together more than 2,100 tourism operators, this must-see event, organized by Atout France and its partners*, is part of a strong desire to market the global brands of destinations to the international professionals in the tourism sector.
As Christian Mantei, CEO of Atout France, points out, "After some difficult months, the recovery is there and needs only to be reinforced. Rendez-vous in France comes at the right time with European and Asian tour operators very present, resuming their activity towards France, the essential market of their business."
There were over 700 French exhibitors—from regional to city tourist offices and hotel groups to cultural sites—to meet with 892 tour operators from around the world—53 of which from the United States as well as 36 international trade journalists. French professionals benefited from an exceptional opportunity to develop their product with a panel of buyers selected by the teams of the Atout France network in 33 countries. More than 22,000 business meetings were held during the 2-day event.
This year’s Rendez-vous en France press conference centered on the Macron law on international tourist areas, Parisian stores are now authorized to open on Sundays. Paris, the world capital of shopping, which receives 30 million tourists a year, can now fully meet the expectations of its international visitors. The international tourist areas include the main commercial districts of Paris, where the Parisian department stores are located (Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, BHV, Bon Marché): Boulevard Haussmann and Opéra, Marais, Saint-Germain Rive Gauche, Champs-Elysées.
Spearheaded by the Alliance du Commerce, the organization brings together the Union of French Department Stores mainly located in the city centers (Union du Grand Commerce de Centre-Ville, and the Federations of the multiple retailers in clothing and footwear (Fédération des Enseignes de l’Habillement, Fédération des Enseignes de la Chaussure. It represents 27, 000 stores and 200,000 employees in France that represent the major emblematic businesses of trade.
As happens every three years, the Rendez-vous en France trade fair will take place in Paris on March 27 and 28, 2018.
About Rendez-vous en France
Every year, Atout France and the Regional Tourism Boards help the international delegations of tour operators discover the diversity and variety of France's cultural and natural heritage by doing learning tours. These short, small-group stays, organized before the Rendez-vous en France trade fair, are a special opportunity to meet the regional partners and a valuable complement to the trade fair's business meetings. The various discovery trails have been designed to showcase the diversity of the French offering: prestigious restaurants and country inns, renowned resorts and sites, facilities (accommodation and infrastructure), entertainment and events all help make the learning tours both enjoyable and professionally worthwhile. Tour operators sign up for one of the thematic programmers, based on their centers of interest.
About Atout France
Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency, is the sole national organization responsible for the development and promotion of tourism to France. As an association of public and private interests, Atout France is charged with supporting tourism to France and assisting its partners internationally through its network of 33 offices in 30 countries. Atout France is also responsible for assisting regions, counties, towns and cities in the development and modernization of their tourism assets, as well as for administering France’s new hotel rating system. For more information on France, visit the official Atout France website in the United States - Corporate website: atout-france.fr - Consumer Website: us.france.fr