Paris Attacks: “France remains, without a doubt, the most beautiful country in the world,” according to M. Valls

Tourism professionals for Paris and its outskirts, along with the representatives from travel agencies, tour-operators, restaurant hoteliers, and transporters (Air France, SNCF, ADP) were welcomed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, November 23 2015 by Manuel Valls, Laurent Fabius and Matthias Fekl.

"This meeting enabled to discuss […] the immediate consequences on our primary international markets, and to talk about which actions to take in the short term, especially in terms of communication towards foreign tourists,” specifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

In his speech (see video below), Manuel Valls adds that despite postponements and cancellations of reservations in France last week, “we shouldn’t be irresponsible, nor alarmist.

The Christmas and New Year’s Eve periods are not, at this stage, significantly impacted” and it is better to wait for specific and official figures.

Amongst the emergency measures established since November 13, 2015, some were implemented to support businesses, hoteliers, restaurants, concert venues, especially in Paris, that could face a drop of their activities in the weeks to come.

On her end, Fleur Pellerin, Minister of Culture, announced the implementation of an aid fund to support concert venues.

Furthermore, back-up financial measures were offered to hoteliers sustained by the public investment bank.

The Prime Minister concluded his speech by addressing a message to tourists from all over the world: “France is here to welcome, France remains, without a doubt, the most beautiful country in the world and we will continue to promote this French spirit with confidence.”