Mayor of Cannes demands urgent support for business after Coronavirus outbreak

Lisnard appeals for protection of local tourist jobs and enterprises affected by the Covid-19

With coronavirus having stepped on European soil recently, it is way too soon to estimate its effects on the EU states. One thing is certain, however: it will gravely affect the tourism sector and the related businesses and jobs.

Here is why David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, has asked for urgent measures to support the local business and to protect jobs. In his words, a real social and economic disaster will precede the likely health crisis.

Coronavirus and tourism in the French Riviera

The Mayor explained in a press release that events are being massively cancelled by the State and businesses are asking employees to refrain from travelling. He therefore sees a need to protect tourism professionals and addresses the legally empowered authorities.

These include the French Government and the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The French mayor proposes to go beyond the measures offered by the institutions so far, namely resorting to partial unemployment or deferral of tax and social charges.

Lisnard proposes four main steps:

• To provide more ambitious indirect aid, such as the reduction of tax and social charges over a limited period, and the allocation of exceptional direct aid intended to more fairly compensate for commercial damage;
• To set up, in Cannes, a “one-stop shop” offered by the CCI and relayed by the town hall in order to facilitate access to State measures for affected enterprises and direct them towards the organizations in charge of support;
• To create an emergency fund, taking the form of cash advances;
• To create a compensation fund to respond to the emergency and the economic slump suffered by the Cannes tourism and events sector.

Meanwhile, the Mayor gathers socio-professionals from the tourist and event sectors to collect their ideas and inform them of the assistance that is currently being offered. The city and the region will in this way prepare themselves to regain attractivity as a destination once the coronavirus threat is gone.

Cannes and tourism

Cannes, a famous resort on the French Riviera and a city of cinema has welcomed 71 editions of the International Film Festival so far. The local economy is largely dependent on tourism and the coronavirus outbreak has caused serious concerns about the organisation of the next edition of the film festival.

The situation is even more complicated for mayors as the electoral campaign ahead of the local elections on 15 and 22 March is in full swing.