Sylvie Fayolle's considerations following the ISTO Europe Forum that took place in Lyon, France between 4 and 6 October 2021.
I was glad to host the ISTO Europe forum in Lyon last October since social tourism is a theme particularly dear to my heart. Indeed, it belongs to a much bigger project including responsible, sustainable development at the service of the territories and the inhabitants' well-being.
Indeed, I work to ensure that our regional tourism:
- Respects its environment and is in harmony with its territory: regional priorities have been set according to the major characteristics of the territory (open-air like the Auvergne volcanoes, mountains like our Alps and Mont Blanc, thermalism/health like our 24 resorts, itinerant tourism like our great hiking trails, gastronomy and wine tourism like all the renowned appellations in our region);
- is accessible to all: I am referring to our H+ disability policy, but also Génération Montagne for young people to rediscover the mountains;
- is based on solidarity for all. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is the leading region in France for Tourism For All, with a wide range of holiday villages, holiday centres and collective accommodation.
Over 60 years ago, it hosted the first snow classes in Praz-sur-Arly (74).
The development and enhancement of these tourist accommodations are key to regional planning, access to holidays for the greatest number of people, families, or stays for young people (discovery classes, summer camps, collective stays) in our territories.
Considering their educational and social vocation but also their economic model which is more fragile, the Region has made these establishments the main target within its policy supporting tourist accommodation.
The maintenance and development of this historic and emblematic park, a driver in the generational renewal of clienteles (particularly in the mountains) is supported by the Region through several means: engineering assistance (preliminary study of investment projects), investment assistance, a group of funders, which can be mobilised to optimise and complete the financing plans for projects, a training programme and promotional support offered by Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme.
Moreover, Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme has invested significantly alongside ISTO to address these issues and wishes to promote, together with the region's tourism stakeholders, a real dynamic for benevolent tourism, which will take into account environmental, climatological, economic and societal issues.
