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Cultura

Paris attacks weigh on New Year hotel bookings


    PARIS (Reuters) - Hotels and restaurants in Paris are still suffering in the wake of last month's Islamist militant attacks with bookings for New Year celebrations down 30-40 percent, a hotel federation said.

    The French capital has been on high alert since Islamic State militants killed 130 people in shootings and suicide bombings on Nov. 13.

    "Bookings for the year-end weekend are down 30-40 percent," Evelyne Maes, head of the UMIH-Paris-Ile de France hotel federation, told Reuters.

    Authorities in Paris, with an eye on security following the November attacks, are shortening a New Year video light show at the Arc de Triomphe at midnight on Thursday and cancelling a firework display to keep crowds down.

    France, which has been struggling to revive its economy, is the most-visited country in the world, with Paris hosting 32.2 million visitors last year.

    (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; editing by David Clarke)