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The crisis has sealed the budget holiday tourists. La France, the most visited country in the world, made the charge. And the hotel industry has been the first victim in 2009, according to research firm Protourisme published Thursday. It shows a decrease of 5% of overnight stays in France compared to 2008, 9 million fewer nights. This represents a shortfall of 1.5 billion euros of turnover.

Half of this amount lost on the niche hotels 4 stars whose revenue per available room fell by more than 15% because of declining attendance and lower average price per room. One third of this decrease, approximately 500 million euros, was recorded by the 3 stars with a fall of 11% of revenue per room.

The 2 star hotels and super-economy (0 and 1 star) has offset the decline in occupancy rate by an increase in average revenue per room.Nevertheless, the overall turnover of the industry is down by 300 million euros.

"It's a black year for the hotel. They talk of the campsite but outperformed the revenue it has generated are only 300 million euros, "says Didier Arino, director Protourisme.

Ile-de-France and PACA, the first victims

In detail, the Ile-de-France appears in the study as one of the most affected. The region, which weighs approximately one third of hexagonal nights, lost 4 million nights with a decrease of 6% of its annual attendance. Paris has seen its overnight decline of 1.2 million (-4%) for a total of 31.8 million nights in 2009. "A good number anyway. Paris is the capital of Europe in decline the least, "relativize Didier Arino saving account pay day loan . In addition, imports, which are deducted from GDP, slowed. These factors have offset the slowdown in federal spending and household consumption.

Who will succeed? That is the question to 150 billion dollars – the value of its holding – that everyone asks about Warren Buffett, the guru of American finance, 79 years old, second wealthiest world. This week his company Berkshire Hathaway was appointed Member of the Board Stephen Burke, the number two U.S. cable operator Comcast, which just bought NBC Universal.

At 51, Burke will be part of the young guard of that noble assembly of twelve people, half of which has more than 70 years and four members over 80. It will sit alongside Bill Gates (54), a former head of Coca-Cola (whose capital is the largest shareholder), Donald Keough (83), Charles Munger (85), right arm Buffett and Howard Buffett, eldest son of the "Oracle of Omaha". The latter, who just turned 55, is a philanthropist, photographer and farmer in his spare time.It has been designated as future president of the board, which does not mean he would succeed his father as head of investment holding.

Found this gem is also the main task, according to Warren Buffett, the board of directors. "Nothing is more important: nobody can say where I'll be the day", he justified in an interview in March. At the general meeting of the company in May, he had been pressed by shareholders to disclose the name of a successor.

Stephen Burke, the newcomer, a veteran of Disney, "is an expert in the business, mindful of the interests of shareholders and very interested in Berkshire," Buffett said. He could follow his professional development has long been the father of Stephen, Daniel Burke, had been head of Capital Cities / ABC, a major investment success of Berkshire Hathaway in the 1990s."It's how to do everything Buffett family," said Jeff Matthews, author of a book on finance.

Year tormented

Still active, Warren Buffett has once again assign a block of shares in the credit rating agency Moody's, whose reputation has been tainted by the financial crisis, cutting its stake from 34% since June In early November, he was surprised by launching a takeover bid to $ 26 billion on rail freight company Brulington Northern Santa Fe has also recently invested in ExxonMobil, Nestlé and doubled its stake in Wal-Mart.

Investors scrutinize any decision papy finance to learn about the crisis. However, his company completed one years tormented.If it posted earnings much better than expected in the third quarter of $ 3.2 billion, three times more than the year before, she had begun the year in the red. Affected by the financial crisis, the group had experienced a loss of 1.5 billion dollars in the first quarter, came close a grim series of six quarters of decline. Over the year, the action Berkshire Hathaway has grown by only 2%.

The consumption of manufactured goods rose more households in November. After a 1% increase in October, the index has shown quasi-stable -0, 1%, according to figures from INSEE.

This figure was supported, as in previous months, by buying cars in significant increase of 4.2% in line with the trend observed since August. "The household benefit last months of premium breaks down before his scheduled first next January, said Insee.

In contrast, spending on equipment housing slows markedly, to 0.2%, against 2.1% in October. "If they keep their spending in electrical and electronic households have reduced their spending on furniture," said INSEE.

The week's floating balances authorized in November did not save the textiles and leather. Purchases fell 1.8% in November, two months after dynamic (+2.4% in October and 3% in September).

In 2009, INSEE expects a limited increase in consumption of 0.7%, after 0.9% in 2008. Consumption is the traditional engine of French growth and growing at a rate of 2 to 2.5% until 2007.

It's almost a turn on the wing for Air France. In its medium-haul flights, the airline plans to reduce ticket prices. In return, benefits (such as seat selection or meal on board) currently included in the fare paid and would become available to the card. Such a formula is in fact the companies that used by low-cost airline Ryanair and easyJet (see below). For Air France and for British Airways or Lufthansa, the conclusion is the same: after a thrill-back this summer, the traffic looks bleak this fall. "Summer is traditionally a good period for our business, explains a part of Air France.The key event was the start of September and the results are clearly wrong. "Lowered activity in the three European competitors is for the success of low-cost companies, but also in France, competition from the TGV.

For Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa, the evils are the same: the number of passengers falling and business is back on economy class. This causes a drop in revenue and profit lines. British Airways is the most mistreated because she is very exposed to the Atlantic. The company recorded a 7.9% decrease in the number of premium passengers in September. In turn, the economy class traffic was up 0.7%. British Airways has reached an operating loss of 94 million pounds in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009-2010.To redress the balance, the company has begun downsizing.

At Air France-KLM, income (per seat per kilometer) fell 8.1% in the first quarter of 2009 in economy class and 18.2% in business class. In the first quarter of fiscal 2009-2010, the Franco-Dutch company had a net loss of 426 million euros. For now, analysts expect 850 million loss this year. To pass the turbulence, Air France can rely on its network in Africa, Oceania and the Caribbean. "He who holds the company," said an officer.

Freeze

Lufthansa seems to suffer far less from the crisis. It was at the German company that signs of recovery have been the most tangible this summer with an activity greater than that of the 2008 season.The group relies on a greater presence in Asia and a business alliance – Star Alliance – more comprehensive than SkyTeam (which includes Air France-KLM).

To restart, Air France is therefore preparing the revision of the tender medium-mail. It has also launched its new premium class traveler. Objective: To bring the business to the front of the camera. The company also announced in September a plan for voluntary departures than 1 500 people. The news relieved the unions who feared a major plan. Reportedly, in 2007, an audit at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have advocated the abolition of 30% of posts in support functions, that is to say earth, about 10 000 people. "All our social model is based on economic growth, explains a part of Air France. We have 4% growth to begin to reduce our unit costs.This crisis calls into question our development model. "Meanwhile, Lufthansa has frozen hiring since mid-2008, introduced part-time for 3 500 employees. These plans assume a swift economic recovery. So, in France as in Germany, employees are afraid of social plans more consistent if the passengers were slow to return.

"On board the A380 Air France

The French household consumption of manufactured goods, the traditional engine of French growth, has experienced a strong rebound in September in most areas, registering a total increase of 2.3% after declining in July (-1 , 1%) and August (-1.0%), INSEE said Friday. Throughout the third quarter, the decrease was contained to 0.2% after rising by 0.7% in the second quarter. "The rebound in September was largely reflects a surge in auto purchases," Analysis economist Frédérique Cerisier (BNP Paribas).

Purchases of textile and leather depart upward after a difficult summer (-3% in July and -3.8% in August). Despite this catch-up in September, the consumption of textile-leather is in sharp decline over the quarter (-2.5%). Purchases of capital goods also rose housing by 0.2% and 1.6% throughout the quarter.

No stall

"In line with government expectations, consumption continues to resist in France," says one in the entourage of the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde, who considers "this encouraging development." The minister herself "finds that the effects of scrapping bonus on car purchases remain sensitive, while stressing that" the dynamism of consumption is not only related to the automotive sector. Economists expect a rise of around 0.2% on the year and excludes any stall as long as the devices supporting the automotive sector will be maintained.

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