Press Kit “Esprit Nature”, a step forward on Responsible Tourism in Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur

TOURISM

PRESS Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur

“Esprit nature”

2013

EDITION

WWW.ECOTOURISMEPACA.FR

CONTENTS Summary 3 Why an internet site dedicated to ecotourism?

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Real potential for the region within the tourism market Response to the demand from Customers

What information can be found?

Discovering the region’s natural sites Guiding the internet user in the preparation of his ecotourist stay Encouraging “responsible” behaviours on holidays

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Regional Tourism Board Press Department: presse@crt-paca.fr Tel.: +33 (0)4 91 56 47 00 - www.pressetourismepaca.fr

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WWW.ECOTOURISMEPACA.FR

SUMMARY The Regional Tourism Board of Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur is launching a new website to facilitate “ecotourist” holidays in South of France : www.ecotourismepaca.fr.

This internet site has been designed to inform users of the outstanding, often unrecognised, natural potential of the region, and also to respond to the demand of customers who are increasingly aware of the need to respect the environment whilst on holiday.

This tool provides solutions to websurfers to find offers with a limited environmental impact, and also to behave as responsible tourists during their stay.

What is Ecotourism?

According to the International Society of Ecotourism (TIES), it is “a form of responsible travel in natural areas which contributes to the protection of the environment and to the well-being of local populations”. By setting up a dedicated site, the Regional Tourism Board of Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur wished to extend this definition by valuing all those within the tourist trade who are taking action to reduce their impact on the environment, whether or not situated in a natural area, and whose commitment has been certified by their obtaining a tourist ecolabel.

Ecotourism - key figures • Over 220 types of accommodation have ecolabels in Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur (hotels, campsites, chambres d’hôtes, gîtes, holiday villages).

• There are 4 national parks (Calanques, Ecrins, Mercantour, Port-Cros) and 6 regional natural parks

(Alpilles, Camargue, Luberon, Queyras, Préalpes d’Azur et Verdon) in Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur.

• Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is the 1st region in France in terms of biodiversity.

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Regional Tourism Board Press Department: presse@crt-paca.fr Tel.: +33 (0)4 91 56 47 00 - www.pressetourismepaca.fr

WWW.ECOTOURISMEPACA.FR

WHY A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO ECOTOURISM? Real potential for the region within the ecotourism market The region Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur is strongly well-known by “sun, sea and sand”. However, the quality and variety of landscapes of the region and the number of tourism professionals taking action to reduce their impact on the environment are a reality. Provence-AlpsCote d’Azur is the region in metropolitan France having

the greatest biodiversity and the largest number of natural parks (both regional and national). At the same time, over 220 tourism accommodations - hotels, campsites, holiday villages, gîtes, chambres d’hôtes - hold a label confirming their commitment with regard to the environment.

Response to the demand from customers Recent studies have shown interest of customers in sustainable tourism and ecotourism. However, there has been a lack of clarity on the subject. In order to bring to the client a guarantee of commitment to the environment by service providers, the Regional Tourism Board is promoting service providers who possess an “ecolabel”. Ranging from the “Green Key” to the European union Eco-label, through

to the Green Globe certification, there are no less than 8 tourist ecolabels accommodation represented throughout Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur. The website also classifies “Jardins Remarquables” (Gardens of Special interest) and “Bistrots de Pays” (Local Bistrots) which respectively guarantee regional biodiversity and locally sourced food.

List of ecolabels promoted by the Regional Tourism Board Nature of provider

Label promoted

Accommodation

“Green Globe”, “European Union Eco-label”, “Green Key”, “Ecogîtes” and “Gîte Panda” of Gîtes de France, “Environnement” classification of Clévacances, “Chouette nature” of Cap France, “Hôtels au Naturel”

Restaurants

“Bistrots de Pays” (Local Bistrots)

Gardens

“Jardins Remarquables” (Gardens of Special interest)

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Regional Tourism Board Press Department: presse@crt-paca.fr Tel.: +33 (0)4 91 56 47 00 - www.pressetourismepaca.fr

WWW.ECOTOURISMEPACA.FR

WHAT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND? This website has a triple objective: to make internet users aware of the outstanding environmental potential of the region and to give them the means to choose “virtuous” service providers.

Discovering the Region’s natural sites With 4 national parks and 6 regional natural parks, Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur is the region with the greatest number of natural parks in France. Add to this numerous nature reserves, true windows to biodiversity, and the

variety of landscapes in this region of great contrasts.

All natural areas are presented in detail in the “Discover” webpage on www.ecotourismpaca.fr

Pages dedicated to natural areas: example of the Camargue regional natural Park

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Regional Tourism Board Press Department: presse@crt-paca.fr Tel.: +33 (0)4 91 56 47 00 - www.pressetourismepaca.fr

WWW.ECOTOURISMEPACA.FR

Guiding the websurfer in the preparation of his ecotourist holidays www.ecotourismpaca.fr allows internet users to find a tourism provider whose commitment to ecotourism is recognised: accommodation with an ecolabel, a garden of special interest or restaurant favoured for its use of local produce and social links between the local population and

visitors. It is also possible to choose services of interest, and to compile them in an eco trip folder which could be printed or saved onto the computer or mobile phone.

All these informations are available in the section “A New Way to Travel”.

Example of an eco trip folder created from the section “A New Way to Travel”

Encouraging tourists to adopt a “responsible” behaviour In the section “Act now” of www.ecotourismpaca.fr, discover the ecogestures to do and what eco friendly public transport is available. You can also support programmes

to protect the environment or participate in voluntary eco-holidays organized in Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur.

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Regional Tourism Board Press Department: presse@crt-paca.fr Tel.: +33 (0)4 91 56 47 00 - www.pressetourismepaca.fr