the boating sector is also affected by the increase in energy prices

Holidays are also an opportunity to discover water sports, but not at any price. Inflation forces the sector to adapt. A boat trip, a short one-hour cruise or a water-skiing lesson… So many activities whose costs tend to explode. The culprit is all found: fuel, whose prices are soaring. The professionals seek the parade.

Diversify activities or increase prices

In Sainte-Maxime, gasoline is around 2.70 euros per liter at the port. But Laurent, who manages a nautical base, does not want to increase his prices. “We made the choice to explain very clearly to customers that we were going to reduce the times a little. For example, a towed buoy tour generally lasts fifteen minutes, we have reduced it to twelve minutes without changing the pricing. Our margin will drop to at least 30%, which is huge.”

To limit breakage, the manager also highlights non-motorized activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking or pedal boats. But other professionals who do not diversify their activity have no choice but to raise prices. This is the case of Jérémie who organizes fishing trips on the coast of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. “The price of diesel has doubled compared to last year and I have not been able to double the customer service. Obviously, there are people who work a whole year to go fishing and I cannot ask them to double the price to absorb the consumption of my boat. A small fishing trip which was 70 euros, we went to 75 euros.”

Despite these increases, the regulars are still loyal to the position. But the balance of the season looks worse than last year if the fuel continues to increase.