Press alert: foreign tourists will be welcome in French campsites in July and August 2020
The Fédération Nationale de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air (FNHPA) would like to remind foreign press correspondents in France that foreign tourists will be welcome in France during the summer of 2020, subject to the opening of French borders as well as those of other European countries and to favourable health conditions. Contrary to misinterpretations that have already appeared in some European countries, the Interministerial Committee on Tourism convened by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on 14 May 2020 was very clear on this point.
Likely reopening of intra-European borders at the end of June
The French Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, announced on 7 May that restrictions on France’s borders with countries in the European area (European Union, Schengen area, United Kingdom) will be “extended until at least 15 June“. In addition, the fourteen measures “for any French or foreign person entering France,” permitted by the bill extending the state of health emergency, “at this stage, given the evolution of the epidemic in Europe and in view of the alignment of health measures between European countries,” will not be applied within the European area, “except overseas and, if we decide to do so, in Corsica.”
Foreign tourists welcome in France if health conditions allow it
The press kit of the Interministerial Committee for Tourism of 14 May but states (extract from page 10): “France welcomes the proposals made by the European Commission in its communications of 13 May on tourism and transport, to restore mobility and allow a gradual reopening of tourist destinations in Europe. France will play its full role in facilitating the harmonization of health measures for the reception of tourists and professionals, particularly in the hotel, café and restaurant sector and transport, as well as close cooperation in the evaluation of epidemiological situations. These measures, proposed by the committee, will play a key role in reopening certain regions of Europe to tourism as soon as the health situation permits. France will ensure that the health protocols validated today feed into this necessary European harmonisation effort. France reiterates its commitment to ensuring that no discrimination on the basis of nationality can take place when European tourist destinations are reopened. »
Under these conditions, French campsites are looking forward to welcoming their European clients, sanitary conditions permitting.