October 2023 Gold Award Green Destinations

Granville Terre et Mer, 2nd French destination to achieve gold level!

CP – Green Destinations

Granville Terre et Mer, 2nd French destination to achieve gold level!

Passed through the filter of over 100 socio-economic, environmental and cultural criteria, Granville Terre et Mer has just been rewarded at international level, in Tallin, by Green Destinations. After Bagnoles-de-l’Orne last year, Granville Terre et Mer is the second French destination to be recognized by this international organization working for sustainable tourism for people, nature and climate. A gold level obtained from its first participation, which recognizes the work undertaken by many players on the subject of responsible tourism, a step towards certification!

Published on 10 October 2023

The press release456KB

Contents

Green Destinations, a certification accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council

After Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, Granville Terre et Mer yesterday received recognition from Green Destinations in Tallin (Estonia). This label is one of 5 recognized internationally by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council1 (GSTC). Accredited by the United Nations system, in particular by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and sustainable tourism experts, this non-profit organization sets and leads the basic standards for sustainable development in the travel and tourism sector for professionals and governments.

The demanding approach consists of assessing the commitment of tourist destinations to 100 socio-economic, environmental and cultural criteria, and the sustainable quality of their tourism offering. A great deal of attention is paid to the impact of tourism on the territory, its ability to work with multiple stakeholders, and the evaluation of its actions over time, with a system of progression. So there are several steps to take before achieving the grail, namely Green Destinations certification. However, right from its very first participation, Destination Granville Terre et Mer passed the gold level, the third of five stages before certification, which requires 100% compliance with the criteria.

“It’s an intermediate level that underlines that we still have a long way to go, but it’s very gratifying to see that the Destination’s commitment over several years to reasoned tourism is taking us into the big leagues. We’re convinced that tourism has an important role to play as a link-builder in the transition of territories,” adds Deborah Le Goff, Director of the Tourist Office.

“It was a good time for Granville Terre et Mer to sign up to this progress initiative, in recognition of the efforts made by many players in the area, well beyond tourism. We were aiming for bronze, and we got gold, which is more than encouraging!” says Annaïg Le Jossic, President of the Intercommunal Tourist Office, which is leading the initiative.

A territory united in the face of climate change: Destination Granville Terre et Mer with Normandie

Normandie, via its institutional bodies the Region, Normandie Tourisme and the federation of Tourist Offices of Normandy, has already been working for some years to take account of the challenges facing tourism in the face of climate change. The Office de Tourisme Granville Terre et Mer in the Manche département wanted to add a new stone to the edifice by piloting the Green Destinations approach for its territory. The work was obviously cross-disciplinary, and it was a sustainable snapshot of the Destination that led to this award. Numerous public and private socio-professional players took part in the project, highlighting the work already undertaken by, and with, the Tourist Office for several years.

The Granville Terre et Mer Tourist Office in the Manche department wanted to add a new stone to the edifice by piloting the Green Destinations approach for its territory. The work was obviously cross-disciplinary, and it was indeed a sustainable snapshot of the Destination that led to this award. Numerous socio-professional, private and public players took part in the project, thus enhancing the work already undertaken by them, and with them, for several years for the Tourist Office.

Stéphane Haissant, Chef at Granville’s Loca Café:
“My cooking is punctuated by creativity and distant inspirations, but without ever denying the basics of French cuisine. The quality of the products is at the heart of all my dishes, with a strong desire to highlight my commitment to responsible gastronomy, respectful of small-scale producers and the environment. After 25 years of starred cuisine around the world, I decided to settle in Granville in 2021 because the area is defined by these values, among others.”

A dish by Stéphane Haissant, chef at the Loca Café restaurant in Granville

Yves Cabaret, Director of SMPGA – Service public de l’eau
“The Green Destinations project has strengthened the link between 2 structures in different sectors: tourism and water management. Today, the climate context requires us to broaden our missions. And in addition to distribution, we have an essential role to play in raising awareness of the need to preserve water resources among local residents and tourists alike. By working together, our structures become true partners and unite for a single, stronger message: the commitment of all local players to the sustainability of its Destination.”

This is a step, an “ever better” objective for the future of Destination Granville Terre et Mer

This recognition is valid for 2 years and therefore leaves room for new actions to maintain it, and perhaps even take the final steps.
One thing is certain, this comes as encouragement to the Tourist Office and its partners, and confirms that they are on the right track. And in order to stay on course, this certification comes just as the new tourism strategy is being written, so we might as well include it. In fact, for the first time in France, Granville Terre et Mer’s tourism plan will be modelled on the Green Destinations criteria!