French protests show reduced violence

Despite hundreds of thousands of French citizens participating in demonstrations on October 17, 2026, the second episode of the social movement was less violent than the previous one. Les Entreprises du Voyage, a trade union representing travel agencies, had been on high alert but did not receive reports of travel agencies being attacked or targeted by protesters this time.

Calm attributed to security and planned strike

The relative calm may be superficial, attributed to increased government security measures and anticipation of a planned intersyndical strike for November 5, 2026. The sector remains concerned about the potential for prolonged social conflict and anticipates a difficult end of year, especially with six months remaining until the presidential election.

Marseille suffers significant damage

In Marseille, the damage caused by the riots was estimated at around 10 million euros by the Aix-Marseille metropolitan area, which has requested the state to declare a state of commercial disaster. The mayor of Marseille has demanded an account from the Minister of the Interior.

Travel agency owner describes fear

Barbara Roussel, a travel agency owner in the city, described the events as terrifying, noting that her agency closed for several days following the unrest. The impact on local businesses was significant, with many struggling to recover from the damage.

Paris agencies remain unaffected

In Paris, Frédéric d'Hauthuille, owner of an agency near the Place de la République, stated that his agency was not directly affected due to its location and the use of sturdy metal shutters and bulletproof glass. However, he acknowledged the fear and anxiety among the sector.

Overall impact limited

Despite the unrest, the overall impact on the travel sector appears to be limited, with only about fifteen travel agencies affected out of nearly 3,000 sales points in the country. Richard Vainopoulos of TourCom noted that the government's increased security efforts may prevent a repeat of the previous events, though he warned that the events would have short-term repercussions.

Precautions taken but no widespread crisis

The fear of a prolonged social conflict has led some travel agencies to take precautionary measures, such as lowering shutters. However, the union Les Entreprises du Voyage has not received a large number of calls from affected agencies, indicating that the sector as a whole is not experiencing a widespread crisis.

Underlying issues remain unresolved

The underlying issues, such as the cost of living and conditions of study, remain unresolved, and the government has not addressed the demands of the protesters. The sector is also concerned about the potential impact of the upcoming presidential election, with some executives predicting a difficult year in 2027. The geopolitical climate, including tensions with Iran and the potential for further social unrest, adds to the uncertainty.