Adopting the Macron Law: what is going to change in tourism

The law for growth, activity, and equality of economic opportunities, also known as the Macron law, went through its third and ultimate reading in front of the National Assembly this Thursday 9th, 2015, for its definitive implementation. The Prime Minister Manuel Valls used the 49-3 article to pass the text into law.

This law project covers a large spectrum of measures including the extension of work on Sundays, by going through the liberalization of transportation in coaches, and the creation of “international touristic zones.”

Interviewed by RTL on Tuesday, July 7th, 2015, the Prime Minister indicated that the new rules on the increase of the number of businesses opening on Sundays could come into force “right this September” and that new coach lines could be launched in the month of August.

Transdev will not wait. The transportation company will launch its isilines service right this Friday 10th of July 2015, with no less than 17 inter-urban lines.

Asked by France Info this morning, Laurence Broseta, Executive Director, indicated having already recorded 10,000 reservations including 2,000 just for the 14th of July weekend.

Concerning international touristic zones, decrees and ministerial orders should be published in September. These zones will have the possibility of opening on Sundays under the condition of an agreement with unions. There will also be openings on Sunday for the businesses located in the 10 major train stations in France.

For other businesses, mayors will have to give the green light under the limitation of 9 Sundays openings per year in 2015 and then 12 in 2016.

Another theme mentioned in the law: ending price parity on hotel rates, which corresponds to Article 33.

Right from its enactment by the President, hoteliers will be able to “offer lower rates than those they post on the websites of online reservation agencies (OTAs) and retrieve a direct contact with their clients,” rejoices the National Group of Independents (GNI) in a statement.

“With this law, clients will very quickly realize that it is more interesting to directly reserve on the hotel’s own website because, with no commission, those rates will be more attractive.

Our hoteliers will be able to get their freedom back and control of their own destiny, even though we need to remember that unfair competition make us vulnerable.”