France bookings after terrorist attacks

Flight bookings to Paris down by 25 percent after attack

There is no doubt that the incident that happened in Paris would affect the city’s Tourism sector. According to TTN (Travel and Tourism News) , tourist numbers in 2015 fell by 25% after the attacks happened in addition 130 people died in the November attacks. The numbers are lower than those of November 2014 according to data provided by travel information firm Forward Keys. The city had two similar terrorist attacks in the same year, which leaves the question as to why people still choose to visit Paris?.

According to chief executive Olivier Jagger he recognised the fall in bookings primarily to leisure travellers, rather than business visitors or those going to visit family and friends. Although the cancellation period ended booking trends did not show any signs of improvements. The Christmas books were behind last year’s by 13 per cent. Air France experience some falls in air traffic following the attacks. Low cost carrier EasyJet stated to have to have seen a “cooling off” in demand for travel to France. The attacks did not only affect France but also other European countries as it was unknown when the next attacks would happen.

Following the terrorist attacks Paris is now seen as a less secure place for tourists. Referring to Marslow’s hierarchy of needs (1943), Safety and security comes as a basic need which means that no matter what humans still need safety and security. For the other people who choose not to visit Paris during this time visiting Paris is seen as a security risk, furthermore the people who choose to visit view this as less of a risk, simply because they want to fulfil their wants rather than needs.

There is confusion about the relationship between perceived risk and trust (N, Lim, 2002). (Mayer, 1995) defines trust as willingness to take a risk and perceived risk as the likelihood both positive and negative outcomes. When consumers perceive risk they are expecting some kind of loss (stone and winter, 1987).  The attacks in Paris can link to Physical risk because it is not as secure as it should be. For some consumers it can be linked to monetary risk, this consists of money and property those with relatively little income are vulnerable. Therefore it might be that consumers who chose not cancel their holidays were scared of losing their money. People who book holidays independently are at risk of losing their money because they will not get any compensation back. On the other hand people who book through travel agents can get compensation back.

In conclusion the terrorist attacks did not only affect consumers but also businesses around the country. Tourist numbers in France decreased compared to the previous year before the attacks took place. People’s decisions to take holidays to Paris changed and they were cancelling their bookings due to the risk that came with it. In addition the situation should not last a long time, because cities such as New York and London have had similar attacks however they recovered from within time and France will recover just as they did.

References

 Anonymous, . (2015, November 24). Flight bookings to Paris down by 25 percent after attack .Travel and Tourism News. Retrieved from www.travelandtourismnews.co.uk

Lim, N. (2002). Classification of Consumers' Perceived Risk: Sources versus Consequences. , 540-554.

Cockayne, D. (2015). Consumer Motivation and Decision Making: An experiential View. [Presentation slides]. Retrieved from https://unilearn.hud.ac.uk/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_19703_1&content_id=_1474851_1&mode=reset.