Sustainable tourism

Once the preserve of an elite, tourism has become a mass phenomenon and a driving force in the global economy.

According to the World Tourism Organization, 1.5 billion international tourists traveled in 2019.

But visitors are increasingly focusing on certain tourist sites, causing them to become overcrowded.

If it is not regulated, this phenomenon of "overtourism" exerts multiple pressures:

• the environment (pressure on ecosystems, pollution caused by tourism, overconsumption of natural resources);
• on the sites visited which are not always adapted to accommodate many travelers and lack infrastructure;
• on local life (lack of housing for the inhabitants, multiple nuisances).

How can we continue to develop tourism while ensuring that it is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable?

Local authorities have already adopted measures to protect their cities and communities.

Payment of an entrance fee, setting of a quota of visitors or management of tourist rentals.

Whether economic, security or health, the crises also weaken the countries concerned and call into question their tourism model.

The COVID-19 pandemic could change travelers' behavior.

Are we moving towards the development of green tourism, which incorporates respect for nature and the reduction of the carbon footprint?

Or that of “slow travel”, the “slow journey” that consists in soaking up a place and staying there longer?

1st tourist destination in the world with 90 million foreigners visitors, France is particularly affected.

As part of the post-crisis "France Relance", a Sustainable Tourism Fund has been created to support tourism operators in their transition to sustainable tourism.

France has also launched a plan "Avenir Montagnes" to offer a sustainable tourism offer without giving up activities related to skiing.