A simple look at the business results of a handful of properties in Caen and other towns involved in the festivities confirms the little nudge that hotel indicators received in May. Occupancy rates rose by nearly 8 points and average daily rates went up by 15%, for a RevPAR increasing by more than 26% from one year to the next on this area (+13% for the department of Calvados). This is because the organisation of such an event and the accommodation of a host of prestigious guests mobilise an unusual furthemore into the cur rent international context. Serge Fournel, Director of the Tourist Office in Caen testifies: “The preparation of the festivities for June 6 generated sustained hotel business throughout the month. For example, four hundred persons from the General intelligence service were lodged in Caen.” This clientele related to the organisation of the commemorations or the security of sites was not the only supporter of business in May. Already before June 6, many tourists and curious people visited the region. Carole Dupont, Director of the 2* hotel Kyriad Mémorial in Caen observes: “We have a clientele that is purely tourism and leisure oriented that came prior to the events related to the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy landings to do some reconnaissance in the region, visit the different sites, and who show intentions to return. A major part of this clientele is European, with mostly English people, but also Belgians, Dutch. We also have tourists from Canada and the United States. During the preparations for the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy landings, in May, we worked well, even if, like our colleagues we missed the usual long weekend of May 1st and 8.” This supplemental business followed a promising beginning of the year that followed a slow business period...