After Céline Dion, Pope Leo XIV's visit in turn boosts tourism in France

After the influx of visitors generated by Celine Dion's concerts, it is the turn of Pope Leo XIV's visit to turn the tourism counters in France. His visit, scheduled for Friday 25 to Monday 28 September, is to take the pope from Paris to Lourdes, via Metz, and should attract about a million visitors according to estimates reported by Le Monde.

This event is already boosting hotel bookings in the cities concerned by the papal itinerary, with establishments anticipating a high influx throughout the stay.

Pilgrims who spend less than Celine Dion fans

Despite the expected attendance, the pilgrims who will travel for the occasion are, according to the reported data, less spenders than the fans who came to attend the Quebec singer's concerts. This difference in consumer behaviour illustrates the discrepancies between the economic benefits generated by a religious event and those of a large-scale musical event.

The cities that are part of the papal route, in particular Lourdes, a major Catholic pilgrimage site, are nevertheless expecting a significant increase in their tourist numbers over the period, with effects that could extend beyond the pope's visit alone.

Players in the local hotel and tourism sector are closely monitoring the evolution of bookings in the run-up to this visit, which is one of the most anticipated trips of the year in the French tourist calendar.