Tuesday 19 March 2024
 
»
 
»
Story

France sees tourism numbers dip following terror attacks

French Embassy addresses travel safety concerns

PARIS, November 24, 2015

Following the recent attacks in Paris, tourist numbers to the French capital have dipped slightly due to safety concerns. In response, the French Embassy has released an FAQ to address these concerns.

According to the FAQ, The public authorities and tourism professionals have made safety a national priority:

  • A state of emergency has been declared by the President of the French Republic, conferring upon civil authorities extended policing powers in order to ensure the safety of the French population and of tourists. It was initially valid for twelve days, and has been extended for three months;
  • The state of emergency does not mean that a curfew has been declared. Generally, the measures implemented aim to strengthen security and have no impact on the quality of the experience of foreign tourists in France;
  • Police and gendarmerie reinforcements have been deployed across France. In the Paris region alone, about 3,000 soldiers have been deployed to reinforce those already in place. Eventually, more than 5,000 additional police and gendarmes will ensure security;
  • Inspections and staff levels will be increased in public transport and around sites receiving the public, including tourist attractions (three-fold increase in staffing at Parisian sites);
  • Lastly, the representatives of the tourism sector have announced the recruitment of additional security staff in order to ensure the safety of visitors.

France has also stepped up security measures at its borders with systematic checks at entry points to the French territory (road, rail, port and airport crossing points).

The entry documents for citizens of European Union Member States will remain the same and they will need a valid identity document (ID card or passport).

Visas issued to international travellers prior to the establishment of border controls will remain valid to enter the country and those looking to travel to France can still apply for visas with the French consular services.

Travellers can still visit all public cultural establishments and shops in Paris, the Île-de-France and France, which will remain open.

Open sites include, non-exhaustively: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Château de Versailles, Disneyland Paris, Grand Palais, Centre Georges Pompidou, Notre Dame de Paris, Paris Lido, Crazy Horse, Bateaux Parisiens, and the Moulin Rouge.

If required by the situation, the Prefect of Police may order the exceptional closure of certain establishments in order to ensure public safety.

Foreign travellers staying in hotels will be required to comply with the French law by completing an individual police form (Article 6 of the Decree of 18 August 2015). Moreover, each establishment has the right to carry out security checks, the report said.

Travelling in France is still relatively easy with no general travel restrictions on travel and journeys. Short-term restrictive measures may however be taken by the prefects of individual geographic Departments.

However, law enforcement forces may carry out checks on people and luggage. They also reserve the right to prohibit the carriage of certain personal effects considered dangerous, it said.

Air and rail connections are operating and running normally and National and international train services are operating a normal service. Boarding checks have been stepped up for flights and the access to international rail services. Additional delays are to be expected.

In Paris, the metro, buses, trams and suburban rail services (RER) are operating normally, and stations are open. Surveillance and control measures have been enhanced generally in public transport, the report said. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: France | paris | travel | Safety |

More Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads