Sustainable tourism in France: French residents and international guests invited to give their opinion on measures to push forward
May 10, 2021—The French Tourism Committee launched on May 10 an online public consultation on the theme of responsible tourism and sustainable tourism. From May 10 to June 20, 2021, Americans and international visitors are invited to express their views and share ideas by responding to the broad question:
As a tourist in France, what are your ideas for a more sustainable tourism?
Via the Make.org platform, respondents may suggest compelling actions that French tourism stakeholders should undertake and pursue to make the travel industry more responsible and sustainable at national, regional & urban levels.
The consultation was conceived by the Tourism Committee, presided by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and French Speaking Communities (francophonie)—a group that gathers key travel industry leaders working together to create a national strategy for sustainable development.
“In this health crisis, the tourism industry is one of the hardest-hit sectors. A more sustainable development of tourism is the way forward to overcome the difficulties, in the context of a highly competitive international restart. Greener growth opportunities will allow for both the preservation and development of the tourism ecosystem. France is the world’s leading tourism destination and intends to keep this rank by offering outstanding sustainable products to its visitors.” said Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and French Speaking Communities (francophonie) - French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
An initative of the France Tourism Committee
The Committee members*—Atout France, the National Federation of Campsites and Residential Parks (FNHPA), the Banque des territoires (Regional Investment Fund), ADN tourism, Acteurs du tourisme durable (ATD), and Teragir—,worked with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to develop this first ambitious consultation. Support for this endeavour also came from non-members such as Alliance France Tourism, the network “Agir pour un tourisme responsable,” the French Travel Syndicate, Huttopia and the Association pour un tourisme équitable et solidaire (ATES).
As the industry restarts and the domestic and international movements are bound to increase, the tourism industry needs to face the many challenges and focus on finding a new balance. “Sustainable development, a more responsible tourism”, is a strategy roadmap that needs to be designed collectively.
The entire tourism ecosystem is at a major turning point: embracing change is key to be able to transform and create new opportunities to improve our world.
Click here to voice your opinion
France #SustainableTourism #ExploreFrance
About
Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency
Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency, is the sole national organization responsible for the development and promotion of tourism to France. As an association of public and private interests, Atout France is charged with supporting tourism to France and assisting its partners internationally through its network of 32 offices in 30 countries. Atout France is also responsible for assisting regions, counties, towns and cities in the development and modernization of their tourism assets, as well as for administering France’s new hotel rating system. Atout France has 1300 public and private members.
ADN Tourisme
This organisation was created on March 11, 2020, from the merger of three historical French tourism federations: “Tourists Offices”, “Tourism & Territories” and “Destination Regions”. The new entity now includes all three levels, in mainland France as well as French overseas regions and territories, and represents nearly 1,100 structures and a workforce of 11,500 employees.
The ATD Association - Sustainable Tourism Actors
The first French network of professionals committed to a more responsible tourism, ATD federates the entire tourism sector to guide the evolution of its practices, and facilitate exchanges between travel industry professionals through various projects to achieve greater sustainability. The association represents 150 members from various trades in the tourism industry.
Teragir
This association’s mission is educational, raising awareness and bringing together all stakeholders (academics and teachers, companies, institutions, individuals, etc.) to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the UN. As a privileged operator of the SDGs in France, Teragir leads a series of action programs in the field of tourism (Blue Flag, Green Key) and youth (Eco-Ecole, International Forest Day and Young Reporters for the Environment).
National Federation of Campsites and Residential Parks (FNHPA)
The professional union represents an essential sector of the French tourism industry (3 billion EUR in annual sales; 22 million customers welcomed in 8,000 establishments) and is the leading accommodation provider in France in terms of bed capacity. The FNHPA trains, informs and represents its 4,300 members.