Tourism in Paris decimated by attacks and demonstrations

Paris, the world's most visited city, is facing a fresh challenge as ongoing protests and strikes threaten to disrupt its tourism and leisure industry. According to Frederic Valletoux, head of the Paris tourist board, these blockades could potentially cause significant disruption during the Euro 2016 football championship.

The protests, which have been ongoing for three months, have descended into violent clashes between demonstrators and police around the country. This social unrest over controversial labor reforms has once again put doubts in tourists' minds about visiting Paris.

The tourist board is particularly concerned about the potential impact of the protests on the tourist season. With the Euro 2016 football championship set to start on June 10, unions have threatened to disrupt transport for the millions of visitors expected.

Hotel bookings by Japanese, Russian, and Chinese visitors have taken a significant hit. According to the city's tourist board, bookings by Japanese visitors were down 56% compared to the same period in 2015, while hotel bookings by Russian visitors dropped by 35% and Chinese tourists by 13.9%.

The start of 2016 is still feeling the disastrous consequences of the attacks in 2015. The January 2015 killings at Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket, followed by the November attacks in the capital that left 130 people dead, have left a lasting impression on tourists.

Jean-François Martins, chairman of the Paris tourism board, expressed his concern over the influence of violence strikes and protests on the tourism in Paris and the decreasing bookings from Japanese, Russian, and Chinese tourists on May 30, 2016.

The scenes of guerrilla-type action in the middle of Paris are being broadcast worldwide, reinforcing a feeling of fear and misunderstanding among tourists. This, coupled with the ongoing protests, is putting immense pressure on the 500,000 employees who depend on the tourism sector in the Paris region.

Despite these challenges, Valletoux remains optimistic. He stated that there is still time to save the tourist season by putting an end to these blockades. The city's tourism industry is hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing protests, ensuring a successful Euro 2016 and a prosperous tourist season.