What is the Sustainable Tourism Fund?
The Sustainable Tourism Fund is a government initiative designed to promote and support the development of eco-responsible tourism in France. This programme is part of a wider approach to the ecological transition of the tourism sector, in response to current environmental challenges. This scheme is part of as part of the Destination France plan.
A support programme for eco-responsible tourism
The Sustainable Tourism Fund offers financial and technical support to tourism operators wishing to adopt a more sustainable approach. It aims to encourage practices that respect the environment, while preserving the attractiveness and competitiveness of the sector.
This system makes it possible to :
- Financing energy renovation projects
- Supporting the adoption of greener practices
- Encouraging innovation in sustainable tourism
Which tourism sectors are affected?
The Sustainable Tourism Fund mainly targets small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector. Potential beneficiaries include :
- Tourist accommodation (hotels, campsites, gîtes)
- The restaurants
- Leisure and outdoor activities
To be eligible, these businesses must have a corresponding tourism NAF code and demonstrate their commitment to more sustainable practices. The fund aims to transform the entire tourism value chain, encouraging the emergence of a more environmentally-friendly tourism ecosystem.
By supporting these initiatives, the Sustainable Tourism Fund is playing a crucial role in the transition to eco-responsible tourism, responding to travellers' growing expectations in terms of sustainability and respect for the environment.
Charging stations: a pillar of sustainable tourism
The deployment of charging stations for electric vehicles plays a crucial role in the development of sustainable and eco-responsible tourism in France. This infrastructure is essential for meeting the needs of environmentally conscious travellers, and fits in perfectly with the objectives of the Sustainable Tourism Fund.
State of deployment in France
The network of charging points in France continues to show impressive growth, illustrating the country's commitment to sustainable mobility. At 1 January 2024, France had around 133,000 charging points open to the public, marking a significant increase on the previous year.
This expansion represents an increase of almost 13% over a period of just a few months, underlining the growing importance attached to electric mobility as part of an ecological transition.
In addition, the number of high-power charging points has also increased, with around 18,000 stations capable of recharging vehicles in under 20 minutes.
This progress reflects ongoing efforts to support the development of an infrastructure tailored to the growing needs of electric vehicle users, particularly in tourist and urban areas where demand is rising sharply.
Solutions for tourism professionals
Tourism operators, whatever their NAF code, have a crucial role to play in this transition to sustainable tourism:
- Strategic installation: Install charging points near tourist attractions and accommodation.
- Local coordination: Tourist offices can coordinate the deployment of kiosks to ensure optimum coverage.
- Seasonal adaptation: providing flexible solutions to meet summer demand peaks.
The Sustainable Tourism Fund can provide significant financial leverage for professionals wishing to invest in these infrastructures.
Advice for travellers
For eco-responsible tourists using electric vehicles:
- Planning: use dedicated applications to plan your journeys and locate charging points.
- Variety of options: Familiarise yourself with the different terminal networks available (ChargemapRévéo, Tesla, etc.).
- Anticipation: Plan your recharging breaks to take account of the charging time and the time of day.autonomy of your vehicle.
By adopting these practices, travellers actively contribute to the development of sustainable and ecological tourism, while enjoying an enriching and responsible travel experience.
A guide to installing charging stations in hotels
Electric vehicles: an essential part of eco-responsible tourism
As part of the drive towards more sustainable tourism, the electric vehicles are emerging as an essential solution for reducingcarbon footprint of tourist travel. As the tourism sector embarks on an ecological transition, the adoption of cleaner modes of transport is becoming a major issue.
Electric vehicles not only offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to combustion-powered vehicles, they also transform the travel experience, making it quieter and more environmentally friendly.
Planning your holiday in an electric vehicle
Opting for an electric vehicle on your holiday is perfectly in keeping with an eco-responsible approach to tourism. For the best possible experience, careful planning is essential. Start by mapping out your itinerary, identifying the charging stations available along your route. Numerous mobile applications and specialist websites make this easy, allowing you to locate stations and even book your charging slot in advance.
Don't forget to :
- Choose accommodation equipped with charging stations or located near public stations
- Calculate your vehicle's real range, taking into account the terrain and the load carried
- Plan regular breaks to recharge, combining them with your sightseeing tours
- Opt for economical driving modes to maximise your range
By carefully planning your trip in an electric vehicle, you'll not only be helping to reduce your carbon footprint, but you'll also be discovering a new, more relaxed way of travelling, in line with the principles of sustainable tourism.
Adapting infrastructure for eco-responsible mobility
When it comes to eco-responsible tourism, adapting infrastructures for green mobility plays a crucial role. Establishments benefiting from the Sustainable Tourism Fund can invest in solutions that encourage the use of electric vehiclesThis is helping to reduce the sector's carbon footprint. Here are some key initiatives:
- Installation of charging points for electric vehicles in hotel and restaurant car parks, giving customers the opportunity to recharge their vehicles easily during their stay.
- Introduction of electric bike hire or loan systems, encouraging visitors to explore the region in an environmentally-friendly and effortless way.
- Creation of partnerships with electric vehicle rental companies, offering preferential rates to the establishment's customers.
- Development of dedicated parking spaces for electric vehicles, ideally equipped with solar panels for even greener recharging.
These adaptations not only meet the growing expectations of eco-conscious travellers, but also position our establishments as committed players in the ecological transition of tourism.
By facilitating the use of sustainable modes of transport, these infrastructures help to reduce the environmental impact of tourist travel while offering visitors an enriched experience.
The benefits of the Sustainable Tourism Fund for tourism businesses
The Fonds Tourisme Durable scheme offers considerable advantages to businesses that commit to this approach. Not only does it make it possible to carry out ecological and modernisation projects, but it also helps to improve the appeal and image of participating establishments.
This dual approach, combining financial support and the promotion of environmental commitment, positions the Sustainable Tourism Fund as a strategic tool for tourism operators wishing to stand out in a market that is increasingly sensitive to sustainability issues.
Financing ecological and modernisation projects
Under the Sustainable Tourism Fund, tourism businesses have the opportunity to finance various ecological and modernisation projects, reinforcing their commitment to more responsible tourism. This scheme enables eligible establishments to benefit from substantial grants of up to €200,000 to implement sustainable initiatives.
Projects eligible for funding include
- Energy renovation of buildings, including insulation and the installation of more efficient heating and air conditioning systems.
- Adopting sustainable catering practices, such as combating food waste and sourcing local produce.
- Improving resource management, with investment in water- and energy-efficient equipment.
- The implementation of innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint, such as the installation of photovoltaic panels.
This financing enables companies not only to reduce their long-term operating costs, but also to position themselves as responsible players in a tourism market that is increasingly sensitive to environmental issues.
By investing in these projects, establishments can modernise their infrastructure, improve their brand image and meet travellers' growing expectations in terms of sustainable tourism.
Improving the attractiveness and image of our establishments
The Sustainable Tourism Fund offers tourism establishments a unique opportunity to improve their appeal and brand image. By adopting eco-responsible practices, businesses can stand out in an increasingly competitive market and meet the growing expectations of environmentally conscious travellers.
The benefits in terms of image are manifold:
- An enhanced reputation as a committed and responsible company
- A differentiating position in the sustainable tourism segment
- Greater visibility with customers who are sensitive to environmental issues
What's more, the improvements made thanks to the fund, such as energy renovation or the use of local products, contribute directly to the customer experience. Establishments can therefore offer a more pleasant environment and better quality services, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Finally, commitment to a sustainable approach can open up new commercial opportunities, such as access to recognised labels or integration into specialised networks. This enables businesses to raise their profile and attract new customer segments, strengthening their position in the tourism market.
A guide to installing recharging points in restaurants
How can I benefit from the Sustainable Tourism Fund?
The Sustainable Tourism Fund represents an exceptional opportunity for players in the tourism sector wishing to commit to an eco-responsible approach. This initiative, supported by ADEME, offers invaluable financial support for businesses wishing to modernise their practices and reduce their environmental impact. Whether you're a restaurant owner or an accommodation provider in a rural area, it's vital to understand how to access this scheme if you want to make the most of it.
Eligibility criteria
To benefit from the Sustainable Tourism Fund, companies must meet a number of specific eligibility criteria:
- Type of business: Only very small businesses (VSEs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with up to 249 employees are eligible.
- Geographic location: The fund exclusively targets establishments located in rural areas, particularly in towns with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants.
- Activities concerned : Projects must relate to specific activities, mainly :
- Traditional commercial catering
- Tourist accommodation, with defined NAF codes.
- Commitment to sustainable tourism: Projects must demonstrate a commitment to reducing environmental impact and strengthening local roots.
These criteria ensure that the scheme provides effective support for tourism operators committed to ecological transition.
How to apply for assistance
To apply for assistance from the Sustainable Tourism Fund, tourism professionals must follow a structured process.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Check your eligibility: Make sure your company meets the fund's criteria, particularly in terms of location and type of business.
- Prepare your application: Gather the necessary documents, such as your company information, your plans for ecological transition, and your cost estimates.
- Contact an advisor: Contact an ADEME advisor who will guide you through the process and check your eligibility.
- Submit your application: Once you have confirmed your eligibility, submit your official application via ADEME's online platform.
- Application tracking: After submission, track the progress of your application and remain available to provide additional information if required.
Electric mobility figures for France
In 2024, electric mobility in France is enjoying impressive momentum, with figures that illustrate this transformation.
Here are the main points to bear in mind:
- Charging points: At 1 January 2024, France had more than 133,000 charging points open to the public, and this number continued to rise to around 143,678 points at the end of July 2024, representing an increase of 43 % on the previous year.
- New installations: The summer of 2024 was particularly significant, with over 60,000 new charging points installed in just three months, bringing the total to over 250,000 public charging points.
- Electric vehicles: In 2024, sales of electric vehicles accounted for more than 25 % of new registrations, and it is estimated that one in four cars put on the road that year is electric or a plug-in hybrid.
- Future targets: France is aiming to reach 400,000 public charging points by 2030, as part of a plan to support the expected increase in the number of electric vehicles, which should reach around 7 million units by the same date.
These figures illustrate significant growth in the market for electric vehicles and associated infrastructure in France, reflecting the transition towards more sustainable mobility.
Summary table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | To promote and support the development of eco-responsible tourism in France as part of the ecological transition in the tourism sector. |
| Frame | Part of the plan Destination France. |
| Beneficiaries | Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector with a corresponding NAF code (accommodation, restaurants, leisure activities, etc.). |
| Sectors concerned |
|
| Types of support |
|
| Key infrastructures | Deployment of charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) :
|
| Benefits for companies |
|
| Eligibility criteria |
|
| How to benefit |
|
| Key figures (2024) |
|
| Advice for travellers |
|
| Initiatives for professionals |
|
| Financing available | Subsidies of up to 200 000 € for :
|
Conclusion
The Sustainable Tourism Fund represents a significant step towards eco-responsible tourism in France, offering crucial support to businesses in the sector. This initiative, supported by ADEME, enables tourism operators to modernise their infrastructures and adopt sustainable practices, while meeting the growing expectations of environmentally conscious travellers.
With funding for projects such as the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and energy renovation, the fund is helping to bring about a profound transformation in the tourism value chain.
If you would like to find out more about the best applications for locating recharging pointscheck out our top 10 must-haves
