 |
A major issue in the local economy |
|
 |
Tourism is the first economic activity in the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Region (12.2% of the regional GDP) and is based on a natural and cultural heritage which is very rich.
The Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Region is also the most important destination for French tourists in terms of night stay (13% of the national market). If international tourism is taken into account, then it comes just in second position after the Ile de France region (around Paris). In 2003 the number of tourists reached 36 millions who spent collectively 237 millions of nights. 231,0000 jobs are connected to the tourism sector, i.e. 1 job out of 5. |
| |
|
Socio-cultural impacts: jobs are created but they are often insecure... |
|
|
In spite of a decreasing unemployment rate since 1997, in March 2005 in the PACA Region this was two points superior to the national rate.
The impact of seasonal tourism and jobs in the Region increases the precarious character of the local employment in the PACA Region: 40% of the job requirements registered in the last three months of 2004 came from people whose temporary or fixed-term working contracts had come to an end. |
| |
|
Characteristics of the tourism development in the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Region. |
| |
(Source Plan Bleu, TEC Conseil) |
|
|
| "Mass" tourismstarted to develop in the Region in the fifties. The development of tourism went through a dramatic change due to the widespread use of automobiles and the spreading out of urban centres. In addition, the development of tourism is run by the private sector and led by profit-earning real estate initiatives. |
This tourism development is an economic success: |
|
 |
Tourism was the basis of the local development of a region with a low population density in the 19th century |
|
It has major induced-effects, particularly in the development of the tertiary sector. Some areas may consequently change their initial tendency (Nice, for example). |
|
However, we can notice that some resources of the territory are not maximized: the occupancy rate of most of the secondary residences is low; yachts are only used a few days a year, etc.
Pour
For more information :
www.tec-conseil.com/pusommai.htm
www.planbleu.org |
| |
|
Outstanding impacts on the regional environment |
|
|
Tourism modified in a considerable manner the territory of Provence. Water consumption during periods of weak resources, waste production and impacts on the natural milieu are some of its most obvious perils. But tourism is a result of urbanization, on the coastal areas that were previously preserved (the Cote d'Azur, the cliff of the Maures) or in high mountain zones (ski resorts, roads, high-tension lines to supply ski tows).
It also contributes to the increasing impacts of the transportation facilities on the environment, through the production of carbon dioxide: trekking is a "soft" activity, except if we go for it by car or by plane. These impacts are even more serious by the accommodation concentration and by the seasonal character of tourism: more facilities and accommodation are proportionally required to receive the same number of visitors.
In spite of its environmental and landscape richness, the Region may loose a major part of its tourist attraction, especially because it suffers from major setbacks in many environmental policies: low development of alternative energies and waste segregation, high growth in car transportation, technical problems in sanitation facilities during thunderstorms, urban spreading out … |
