Over the past few weeks, riots have taken over major cities in France, after teenager Nahel Merzouk was unfairly shot and murdered by a police officer after committing a traffic violation.
According to CNN, the protests began in Nanterre but thereafter the unrest spread to other areas around the capital: Bezons, Gennevilliers, Garges-lès-Gonesse, Asnières-sur-Seine, Montreuil, Neuilly-sur-Marne, Clamart and Meudon. The US outlet reports that elite RAID police have been deployed to key tourist cities Marseille and Bordeaux in the south, as well as the northern cities of Lille and Roubaix.
Travel intelligence company Mabrian Technologies has reported that the recent uprisings have led to a significant decrease in the Perception of Security Index for France, dropping five points in just one week. This decrease represents the lowest level since the beginning of 2023. The company has been calculating the Perception of Security Index for destinations worldwide for over 8 years. By employing active listening on social media platforms and leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Mabrian analyses sentiment to create this indicator.
In the case of France, the accumulation of different episodes in a short period can significantly impact perception by projecting a continued image of instability.
Carlos Cendra, Partner and Marketing Director at Mabrian
France has experienced two waves of violent protests since the start of the year, with the Perception of Security Index falling two points during the second half of March as a result of violent incidents related to pension reform demonstrations. Then, during the last week of June, the new wave of uprisings seriously damaged the security image of the country, dropping five points.
France now ranks as the European country with the lowest perception of security among its neighbouring countries. It is 7 points behind the Netherlands, 6 points behind Italy, 4 points behind Spain and 3 points behind the United Kingdom.
The decline of the index has affected all of France’s main cities. Marseille has lost 47 points in the past week, followed by Lyon with a loss of 19 points and Nice with a loss of 8 points. Even Paris, which is not the hardest hit city by the decline, has experienced a 6-point drop in the Perception of Security Index, one point above the national average.
The current situation raises concerns as Paris is scheduled to host the Olympic Games in 2024. The prevalent instability and lack of confidence among travellers could have a significant impact on the event’s success.
In the meantime, some countries have issued warnings. Travellers are being requested to monitor the news. On 29 June, the US State Department issued a security alert. “These demonstrations, along with spontaneous protests, are expected to continue and may turn violent”, it said. “US citizens should avoid mass gatherings and areas of significant police activity as they can turn violent and result in clashes. Some cities are imposing curfews. It is a good practice to notify friends or family of your whereabouts. Note that public transportation is being affected.”
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office have also issued similar warnings. “The protests may lead to disruptions to road travel or targeting of parked cars in areas where protests take place. Check the latest advice with operators when traveling and follow the advice of the authorities.”
For its part, China’s foreign ministry has taken similar measures with its citizens highlighting the need to remain vigilant. A bus carrying a Chinese tour group in the southern city of Marseille had its windows smashed, as reported by CNN. China’s Consulate General in Marseille has urged French authorities to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and property.
