In Corsica, the lack of visitors this August is blamed on inflation and the rising cost of living, preventing people from getting to an island where the ferry is often incredibly expensive from mainland Europe. . Among hotels and campsites, there is talk of an occupancy rate 30% lower than in July.
According to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Corsica, the island’s airports and ports recorded 1,456,057 passengers last month, data down slightly from July 2022 (-4.3%), but similar to those of 2019, before the pandemic.
Additionally, as car rentals have increased, as has the cost of grocery shopping in supermarkets and restaurants, Corsica has fallen a bit behind in cost compared to its more affordable Mediterranean neighbours.
An Italian friend who had asked us for advice on places to visit wrote to us. We would like to share with our readers his impressions of the holidays he has just spent with his partner: “beyond comparisons with Sardinia, the real sensitive point is the costs, everything – except the campsites which I did not uncrowded- is absurdly expensive. Here are some figures: large bottle of water 4 euros, two savory pancakes 30 euros, dinners in small restaurants with plastic cutlery and rather average food 70 euros for two… I never found a hotel room or a b&b less than 80 euros, and never including breakfast, served separately for 7 euros per person and which consists of a croissant, coffee and a piece of lean bread with jam (rationed). So I wonder: if you don’t have the beauty of the Sardinian sea, the wonder of the historic centers of Puglia, Sicily or Campania, combined with the delicacy of their cuisine, if you also miss an offer of exclusive establishments (for those looking for this type of stay), so why would we Italians go all the way to literally get ripped off? So let’s leave Corsica to the French cousins who may have higher salaries…”
We also invite you to read a recent article in Le Figaro on this subject, which explains well the disaffection for the destination:
https://www.lefigaro.fr/voyages/la-saison-est-foutue-la-destination-corse-est-elle-en-perte-de-vitesse-20230719
