Also in 2009, the Act on Developing and Modernising Tourism Services created an agency
called Atout France to promote tourism. This was a merger between ODIT France, formerly the
agency for product development, and Maison de la France, which promoted France abroad. Atout
France has become the State’s sole operator in the realm of tourism, and is instrumental in
implementing government policies that foster and promote the industry. The agency also has
responsibility for classifying tourist accommodation and maintaining a registry of tour
operators and the operators of chauffeur-driven tourist cars.