“Face the emergency and prepare for the future.” This is how Jean Castex summarized the objective of the “Destination France” plan, which aims to revive the tourism industry in France. Since Amboise (Indre-et-Loire), the Prime Minister announced several measures to allow France to keep its rank as the world’s leading tourist destination. Means, schedule, targeted sectors … Franceinfo summarizes the main announcements concerning this five-year plan.
Loans to invest in the sector
Jean Castex announced that investments for the sector will reach 1.9 billion euros and will mainly take the form of loans. Of this amount, 1.3 billion euros will be loaned “via the investment tools of the Banque des Territoires and the Public Investment Bank”, detailed the Prime Minister. By 2023, 750 million euros in tourism loans and 500 million in tourism stimulus loans should allow, according to the government one “rise in quality” of the French offer.
An investment “in equity” of 60 million euros will be dedicated to mid-range hotels and restaurants. The government also wants to reduce the regulations governing outdoor hotels, “first commercial tourist accommodation offer in France”, recalled Jean Castex. A dedicated fund, called “Destination France” and matched with 150 million euros, will also be entrusted to the prefectures to help local players from 2022.
Specific aid was finally announced for sectors that have suffered “particularly strong bites of the health crisis”, according to Jean Castex. For travel agencies, long victims of border closures, a public reinsurance fund with 165 million euros in credits will be created.
In terms of events, assistance to exhibitors and “actions to attract major international players” will be released, for an amount of 100 million euros. A campaign to promote France internationally is also planned, it will be based in particular on the major sporting events of the next five years, such as the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024.
Help to go on vacation
Another part of the envelope announced by Jean Castex concerns the tourists themselves. “We promote tourism for all”, launched the Prime Minister, who has promised aid of up to 250 euros per person to help 50,000 young people aged 18 to 25 to go on vacation. Help will also be offered “to 100,000 seniors per year by 2025”.
Specific measures for overseas territories have also been announced. An experiment must be carried out to organize a new system of aid to tourists based on social criteria, “with a target of 10,000 holiday departures from next year”, said Jean Castex.
An upcoming recruitment campaign
While 237,000 hotel and catering employees have left this sector since the start of the health crisis, managers are worried about no longer finding a workforce and have made it known. To attract new profiles, Jean Castex announced a national communication campaign at the start of 2022, “to the general public, but rather geared towards the younger generations”. With for example the last campaigns of the French army, “which had an impact and extremely positive results”.
Another lever of attractiveness, Jean Castex has promised new collective negotiations to improve wages and working conditions in the profession. “We must change the way we look at the tourism professions”, he said, before announcing the creation of a “annual tourism trades week” in schools, but also with students, apprentices and job seekers.
Priority given to sustainable tourism
The “upmarket” of the tourist offer desired by the government will go through the development of sustainable tourism. “It becomes a comparative advantage”, explained Jean Castex, who announced the extension of the Sustainable Tourism Fund, launched in 2021. In total, 120 million euros will be paid in 2022 by the State in this fund intended to make tourism more respectful of the environment .
The plan wanted by the government also provides for the creation and maintenance of cycle routes, as well as support for public transport networks for tourists. Coastal paths and cultural routes will be created, thanks in particular to an envelope of 100 million euros intended for the renovation and enhancement of heritage. Infrastructures, such as marinas and nautical bases, will be “green”. And new ecological criteria will also be incorporated into the rankings of tourist accommodation.