The Copresence of Tourists and Residents as Central to the Resilience of Urban Tourism. An Analysis of the Champs Elysées Christmas Market Based on Survey and Mobile Phone Data

Abstract

Copresent in tourist destinations, tourists and residents are both in conflict and complementary. The aim of this article is to explore this copresence and complementarity with respect to the resilience of urban tourism during a particular urban event. We want to examine whether the copresence of different types of tourists and residents at this event is a factor in the resilience of the destination. The analysis is illustrated by a survey conducted at the Champs Elysées Christmas Market from December 7, 2015 to January 10, 2015, just after the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. These data are compared with data from mobile phones (Orange Flux Vision) acquired on the same Christmas mkt. in 2016. While the destination appears resilient in terms of visitor volumes, the structure of visits is nevertheless affected. The sensitivity of tourists to terrorist attacks varies according to their place of origin. In addition, the continuing presence of residents – but also of certain French tourists – at the Market in the period following the terrorist attack, partly absorbed the shock caused by the sharp fall in the presence of foreign tourists, until their numbers recovered. However, there are certain differences between the habits and practices of residents and tourists, which raise questions about the market’s capacity to adapt.