Tourism-related policies and programmes
The legal rules applicable to the tourism sector are consolidated in the Tourism Code.
Tourism was covered by three major successive and complementary legislative acts
codified in the Tourism Code in 1987 and 1992. Other legislative provisions have since
amended the legal framework for tourism activities, in particular the Act of 22 July 2009,
which recognises the economic interest grouping Atout France as the central government’s
sole operator in the field of tourism, entrusting it with tasks in the public interest. This law
also covers the development and distribution of holiday vouchers in SMEs.
In 2008, a strategic plan for French tourism defined a number of strategic choices
for 2009 and beyond, and identified some major areas of work (Box 4.13).
In the field of sustainable tourism, a large number of initiatives have been taken by
chains, associations, networks and establishments, such as the landscape charter of the
Camping Qualité network, the Chouette nature label for social tourism organised by
associations, the Parcs Brand, the Clé Verte label and the European ecolabel for tourism
accommodation. In addition, the French Committee for the Sustainable Development of
Tourism is studying the costs and benefits of ecological investments in tourism
accommodation in order to produce a guide for owners and those providing them withfinancing. Lastly, central government approves the establishment of centres by social
tourism associations provided that there is a positive impact on the local economy (local
purchase of supplies, possibility of local residents using the centre’s sports and leisure
facilities, employment of local workers, etc.).