Green Destinations certification: Granville Terre et Mer confirms its Gold level and shares its best practices in Montpellier

Green Destinations certification: Granville Terre et Mer confirms its Gold level and shares its best practices in Montpellier

Granville Terre et Mer hasrenewed its international Green Destinations certification – Gold level– in favour of responsible tourism, with a significantly improved score. Two years after its initial recognition, this renewal illustrates the region’s ongoing commitment to balancing tourism with respect for resources, the well-being of local people and the development of the local economy. The speeches made by two members of the Tourist Office at the ceremony in Montpellier illustrate the will and energy put into the collective effort.

Published on 28 January 2026

Granville Terre et Mer confirms its Gold level and shares its best practices in Montpellier2MB

Green Destinations: a global benchmark for sustainable destinations

Green Destinations is one of five labels recognised internationally by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which assesses and certifies tourist destinations according to a hundred or so criteria covering local governance,nature and landscape, culture and traditions, climate and well-being, and support for stakeholders. Accredited by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), this not-for-profit organisation establishes and frames the basic standards for sustainable development in the travel and tourism sector, for use by professionals and governments. Destination Granville Terre et Mer, which has already held the Gold Level label since 2023, has improved its level of commitment in 2025, increasing its score from 60 to 75%, i.e. from 8.0 to 8.9/10. This recognition rewards the commitment of the region and its stakeholders to the concrete actions put in place to promote responsible tourism over the next two years.

This year, the official Green Destinations certification ceremony was held for the first time in France, in Montpellier. Amandine Launay, CSR Manager at the Tourist Office, and Deborah Le Goff, Director of the Tourist Office, took the opportunity to present two exemplary initiatives implemented by Destination Granville Terre et Mer. Amandine presented the genesis of the skills sponsorship developed with the Avril association to preserve the foreshore and the traditional activity of recreational fishing. Deborah shared the thoughts and collective work that led to the vote on the tourism balance plan, which will be rolled out across the region over the next five years. Both of them spoke for a collective approach that has been in place for several years, involving elected representatives, local residents and the region’s tourism and community players.The improvement in the score confirms the relevance of the actions undertaken, including the new Destination strategy, visitor management, consideration of the impact of tourism on the natural environment and community involvement in planning.

Deborah: Bringing the World Congress to France was an unmissable opportunity to meet and share our challenges with other committed tourist destinations around the world. In France, we were the second to take the plunge: we were delighted to see that around thirty French destinations are now committed, and many others are already in action. We’re returning home with our energy levels at their peak, fuelled by all the good practices that have been put forward, whose success depends inexorably on everyone’s ability to work together.

Amandine: It’s a real pleasure to be able to take part in this important event, which brings together a number of countries around common issues. The panel on which I spoke focused on mobilising local people to ensure that our heritage and traditions are respected and preserved. This is the key to continuing to maintain and pass on our natural and cultural resources, as well as ensuring that tourism is balanced from an economic, social and environmental point of view.

Stéphane Sorre: This certification is a great recognition for the Granville Terre et Mer region and, above all, for all the people involved in promoting sustainable development. The Communauté de communes is working closely with them, particularly through its Climate Plan. By working together, we can prepare for the effects of climate change. Being awarded Gold status by Green Destinations is a strong incentive to continue our collective efforts to achieve this balance, while taking account of local realities.