Sustainable GuideSustainable GuideSustainable GuideSupport for the Clef Verte label
Introduced in France in 1998, the Clef Verte label is now the leading ecolabel for French tourism establishments. Each type of establishment – hotels, campsites, gîtes, chambres d’hôtes, youth hostels and restaurants – must meet criteria covering a range of themes, from environmental policy and living environment to environmental awareness and management of water, energy and waste. Establishments commit to an environmental approach with the aim of constantly evolving towards better practices. By choosing a Clef Verte-labeled establishment, you’re putting your trust in a professional who implements responsible, sustainable solutions.
This program, which began in early 2020 in Marseille, will be rolled out until 2024. It enables tourist accommodation providers to evolve along 7 major Sustainable Development axes (water management, awareness-raising, responsible purchasing, etc.). Marseille is proud to play a leading role in this project, as it is the French city with the highest percentage of Green Key-labeled accommodations, thanks in particular to the Accor Group’s decision to make Marseille the pilot city for the labeling of 18 hotels in the metropolis.
The GDS Index
As an integral part of the Tourist Office, the Convention Bureau wanted to include Marseille in the GDS Index 2021: this applies to the events sector and concerns the steps taken by all the socio-professional players in a destination. At the end of October 2021, during the ICCA congress, Marseille achieved a score of 51%, a very respectable score for a first year and given the health situation. The Office is working with its entire ecosystem to improve its score for the next selection.
ISO 20121
On November 16, 2021, the Office de Tourisme, des Loisirs et des Congrès officially obtained ISO 20121 certification! Begun in 2021, the process required an audit by Bureau Veritas Certification to ensure that internal procedures are in line with the principles of the standard the business of all employees and at all levels. What does this standard consist of?
it integrates the principles of sustainable development as a whole (social, societal and economic). The standard aims to establish a set of procedures for identifying the key sustainable development issues that apply to the company’s activities. The main operating principles are :
– A management system approach adapted to the structure and the way it operates
– A participative approach with stakeholders: employees, suppliers, participants, public authorities, customers, partners, etc.
– Internal and external promotion of the responsible strategy
In France, until now, only the Bordeaux, Nancy and Rennes Tourist Offices were ISO 20121 certified.
Sustainable Innovative Destination label
On April 6, 2022, Marseille was awarded the “Destination Innovante Durable” label by Bureau Veritas, along with 4 other pilot cities in France, with France Congrès et Evénements leading the initiative.
Comprising 8 challenges and 26 actions, this new standard is aimed at cities and metropolises that wish to structure their actions in favor of sustainable tourism, and to amplify the effects of their good practices by associating, through an agreement, the players in the hospitality and service chain (venues, events, hotels…).
For Marseille and its entire industry, this label is both a tremendous opportunity and a catalyst for change, enabling us to think differently about the development of events and tourism activities.
It is also a decisive argument in the choice of Marseille as a destination by our business and leisure clientele.
Promoting sustainable catering in Marseille
In 2022, the Marseille Tourism, Leisure and Convention Bureau, joined by the SUD region, decided to take action in favor of sustainable food by supporting Marseille restaurateurs in their transition to the Ecotable label. Launched in June 2022, the program aims to provide logistical and financial support to 60 restaurateurs in the Marseilles tourist zone. The Ecotable label will enable them to showcase their commitment and approach in terms of food, sourcing, waste and resource management, as well as ethical and social aspects, while gaining access to an information and advice platform to support them through the change.
Best practice guides
More than ever, the development of a virtuous sustainable circle for all socio-professionals, and a source of business for all, is at the heart of the Tourist Office’s strategy. To achieve this, the Sustainable Development Department of the Office de Tourisme, des Loisirs et des Congrès has drawn up 7 guidesEn route vers un tourisme durable for each of the sector’s socio-professional categories: accommodation, catering, shops, culture and heritage, nautical activities, land-based activities and events.
These best-practice guides, available from January 2022, aim to provide information on the steps and actions to be taken by businesses wishing to develop their sustainable transition, by presenting environmental, social and economic measures, introducing the various existing labels and certifications, and shedding light on sources of funding.
Parc National des Calanques: how to reduce summer visitor numbers
8,300 hectares and 20km of coastline: that’s the extent of the Parc National des Calanques, Europe’s first peri-urban park, stretching from Marseille to La Ciotat via Cassis. Vertiginous cliffs, untamed garrigue, crystal-clear waters – it’s all there to amaze seasoned walkers and give them a powerful experience in contact with nature. From Marseille to La Ciotat, Saint-Estève, Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton, En Vau, Port Pin,
Figuerolles… Names bathed in the lapping of the water, the fragrance of the sea and the warmth of the limestone rock.
Since the summer of 2020, the Calanques have been a resounding success, with increased visitor numbers during the summer months, with consequences for the Park’s protected flora and fauna. To combat this phenomenon, the PNR* was forced to restrict access to the Sugiton calanque this summer. Between the beginning of July and the end of August 2022, a compulsory reservation system was set up for access to the calanque (the most visited cove), with a limit of 400 people per day.
The results of this operation are positive, with 2 observations: an immediate halt to the deterioration of the site, and a high level of acceptance by the public, who were very understanding once the restrictions were explained. The operation will be repeated in 2023 and 2024.
Calanque Port Pin