Éric Chevalier, Director of the Bourg-Saint-Maurice Tourist Office/Les Arcs, spoke to us about the summer season and the upcoming winter season.
How would you sum up the summer of 2024?
The results for the summer of 2024 are mixed. For a number of reasons, July fell short of expectations and of previous years. It's still a little early in September to have definitive figures, but the trend is clear: July was disappointing, especially in a context where, for the last ten years or so, every summer has shown an increase in visitor numbers.
How do you explain this trend?
The gloomy weather in May and June, with rain and cold temperatures, had a significant impact. These conditions slowed down bookings, particularly last-minute ones, as people found it difficult to plan their holidays in these circumstances. Added to this was a tense political context with the unusual elections at the beginning of July, which may have prompted some people to postpone or cancel their holidays.
The Olympic Games, which we didn't necessarily expect to have such an impact, ended up captivating the attention of many French people, who followed the events on television or travelled to the competition venues. August, on the other hand, was excellent, although we are still waiting for the final figures. This may not be enough to fully compensate for the drop in July, but overall we're getting closer to the results for the summer of 2023, which was a record year.
What new products are you looking forward to this winter?
For Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arcs, 2024 marks a period of transition. This winter, and especially next summer, we'll be seeing some major new developments, particularly at Arc 1800 with the replacement of the Transarc gondola liftwhich is a major project. These works have had an impact on our summer, particularly in terms of adapting mobility flows for hiking and mountain biking. But we have managed to maintain a good level of events and activities.
"Unlike some resorts where this may seem more difficult, Bourg-Saint-Maurice has always had a continuous flow of activity thanks to its funicular link with the international station.
The new gondola lift will open in December, marking the start of the winter season. This is a three-year project. By 2023, we had already renovated the reception area at the snow front, with a new tourist office, modernised services and improved access. By December 2024, the lift will be operational and, by 2025, the intermediate and summit stations will also be completed. These works include the creation of a mineral gallery and a 360-degree panorama at the summit.
How is the resort structured so that it can live all year round?
We're concentrating a lot of our efforts on Bourg-Saint-Maurice and the Chapieux valley, particularly in summer. By 2026, we want to extend the summer season to three months from the current two. Unlike some resorts where this may seem more difficult, in our case Bourg-Saint-Maurice has always had continuous activity thanks to its funicular link with the international station. For the last three years, we've been working to boost services and leisure activities, particularly between 15 June and 15 September.
The Bike Park and hiking trails are now accessible to pedestrians. The valley is also a major crossing point for the Tour of Mont BlancIt is used by around 20,000 walkers every year. Our aim is to build a real summer season from mid-June to mid-September, making the most of the natural resources and existing infrastructure.
What role do seasonal workers play in Les Arcs and how do you attract them?
Seasonal workers play a crucial role in the smooth running of the resort. We are working actively with the municipality to improve their reception, working conditions and accommodation. The first building dedicated to seasonal workers will be completed in 2026 at Arc 1800, with 60 flats and 100 beds. Three other residences will follow, although the locations and dates have not yet been fully confirmed. In addition to this accommodation, we are also putting in place services to improve the quality of life for seasonal workers, in order to build up their loyalty and ensure an ever-better welcome for our visitors.