French tourism operators have reported a better-than-expected summer season for the world's favorite tourist destination, industry groups said Friday.
法國旅遊業組織上周五表示，法國旅遊業者的報告顯示，這個全球最受歡迎的旅遊目的地，今夏遊客數出乎預期。
The 2005 season was an improvement on 2004, thanks largely to the loyalty of Belgians and Scandinavians, and a return of North American and Asian visitors.
2005年夏季較2004年同期表現良好，大部分歸功於比利時與北歐各國民眾的忠誠度，以及北美與亞洲觀光客的回流。
The trend surprised many hoteliers and restaurateurs who in July expressed gloom about their prospects amid rocketing fuel prices, a moribund national economy and a trend towards people taking shorter holidays.
這股趨勢讓許多旅館與餐廳業者感到驚訝。由於燃料價格飆升、國家經濟停滯不前、以及人們度假時間有縮短的趨勢，7月間他們還對前景表示憂心，
"The pessimism that was de rigueur at the end of July was tempered by a good first half in August which was in line with the results of the previous year," said the UMIH hotel and restaurant union.
法國旅館業聯盟表示，「7月底依慣例出現的悲觀氣氛，已被8月上半月的良好表現沖淡。這與去年的情況一致。」
The increase in foreign visitors, particularly to Paris and Mediterranean regions helped offset the trend among the French to save money by spending their holidays with friends and relatives, said national tourism body Odit-France.
國家觀光組織Odit-France表示，外國觀光客（特別是前往巴黎與地中海一帶的觀光客）增加，有助於抵銷法國民眾與親友度假以節省費用的趨勢。
About 75 million foreign tourists a year visit the country. AFP
每年約有7500萬名外國觀光客造訪法國。法新社
moribund：形容詞，垂死的，奄奄一息的，停滯不前的。a moribund patient 垂死的病人
de rigueur：形容詞片語，源於法語。按照禮節或習俗的，符合慣例的。
李寧怡譯
