Visitor numbers in July and August

During the months of July and August, the Office of Tourism recorded 7,000 visitors in its offices in Ornans and Arc-et-Senans. This figure reflects the number of people who visited the office in person to seek information or assistance related to tourism in the region.

French visitors dominate

The French clientele remains predominantly from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté at 44 percent, followed by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (12 percent), the Grand Est (10 percent), and Île-de-France (9 percent). This indicates that most visitors are from within France, with the highest proportion coming from the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

International visitors also present

International tourists account for 21 percent of the visitors, mainly driven by German, Dutch, and Swiss clientele. This shows that while the majority of visitors are French, a notable portion comes from neighboring European countries.

Tourist profiles and interests

In terms of profile, the destination attracts a large majority of couples (40 percent) as well as families (17 percent). This suggests that the region is popular for both romantic getaways and family vacations.

Cultural heritage is most sought after

Among the centers of interest, the artistic and cultural heritage comes first in the preferences with 23 percent of the requests, surpassing natural heritage (16 percent), built heritage (15 percent), and outdoor activities (13 percent). This indicates that cultural and artistic attractions are the most appealing to visitors.

Online engagement is strong

This physical appeal is amplified by excellent online results, the Office recording 18,000 visits on its website and 2.1 million cumulative views on social media during the summer. This highlights the importance of digital platforms in promoting the region and engaging with potential visitors.

Outdoor activities and aqua-entertainment thrive

On the ground, the situation varies according to the sectors. The results remain "clearly positive for outdoor accommodation as well as for the aqua-entertainment center Nautiloue, which took advantage of the episodes of strong heat to record a clear increase," notes the Office of Tourism in its statement. This indicates that certain sectors, particularly those related to outdoor and water-based activities, have performed well.

Challenges for some local tourism actors

However, the trend is more difficult for part of the local tourism actors. The drought has pushed "1 person out of 10 to give up an activity, while economic constraints have encouraged more than half of the visitors to reduce their spending on dining and paid leisure activities," it specifies. This highlights the challenges faced by some businesses due to environmental and economic factors.

Preparing for the 2027 season

Looking ahead to the preparation of the 2027 season, this somewhat muted season "provides essential keys to understanding the future." The team of the tourism office Destination Loue Lison says it is already focused on the preparation of the year 2027 to adapt the tourist offer to climate changes and the new expectations of visitors. This shows that the tourism office is planning for the future by adjusting to environmental changes and evolving visitor preferences.