Tourism in France: Laurent Fabius takes action with france.fr

We are no longer beating around the bush, or holding meetings, to eventually determine what actions should be taken in order for France, - “the world’s top tourism destination,” as professed by Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, but also of Tourism, - to finally reap the benefits of this wonderful advantage.

Last year, we were reflecting on which “financial” means to find.

Now that this has been solved, thanks to the Caisse des Dépôts, associated to the BPI, that will bring to the table a hefty amount of one billion euros.

This amount will help to, on the one hand, favor the renovation or construction of “quality” accommodations or that at least meet international norms, develop digital and infrastructure equipments, and also provide the aid that many startups linked to the tourism sector are expecting to receive.

Without forgetting the Future Investments Program, that Louis Schweitzer presides over, that should finance not only training and teaching, but also tourism! The general funds allocated amount to 10 billion euros!

Nevertheless, the grandest performance from the Minister is having succeeded in setting-up, finally, this website essential for our times: www.france.fr…

We all remember the setbacks experienced by the implementation of a website dedicated to the promotion of France in the preceding era…

The platform, operative since yesterday, after a rushed implementation, disseminates its content in 17 languages, including Chinese of course, and should, in the long run, be subjected to a competitive tender (managed by Atour France), in order to integrate and enhance the offers presented on the “Rendez-vous France” website, making it a substantial digital and touristic window of France.

While many remained skeptical, it seems that Laurent Fabius, closely supported by his State Secretary in Tourism, Matthias Fekl, is well determined to develop this “great national cause.”

Beyond investment, training and hospitality, true “excellence” branches in tourism professions are already foreseen.

“Services to tourists must be impeccable,” defends Laurent Fabius, “and we must applaud tourism jobs.”

In this perspective, the minister “decided” on the creation of a Conference on Excellence Training in Tourism, that will be in charge of “certifying” establishments that provide excellence training in tourism jobs and enter these establishments within the network.

And then comes the traditional topic of “anger”: hospitality in France. “Hospitality cannot be dictated,” admits Laurent Fabius, “yet, we must do everything to respect it.”

And this leads to the visa procedure. “More than 40% of the visas requested by our foreign visitors will be issued in 48h,” states Laurent Fabius.

We have the goal of reaching a complete paperless process of these requests by 2017!”

And, last but not least, Atout France, led by expert hands (according to Laurent Fabius), a major axis of tourism development in France, will acquire additional means.

Other than an “expansion” of 5 million euros, which will surely enable it to ensure a large communications campaign during the Euro 2016, it will host and integrate the Tourism Promotion Council within its strategic commission.

As for the National Tourism Council, it should disappear little by little.

“It is time to simplify procedures,” confided Laurent Fabius, who also deplored the “rough times” currently agitating Air France that tarnish the touristic image of France.

Without directly citing the company, he lamented about some unforgivable and scandalous behaviors!