Français
While the Tourism Committee completes an audit designed to outline a strategic development plan for the "Saint-Barth of tomorrow", the President of the Collectivité is organizing a series of regional meetings.the President of the Collectivité is organizing territorial meetings this Thursday, November 13 at 6pm, to bring together professionals from the sector and the general public. Tourism is both an economic and social issue for Saint-Barthélemy, and after more than three years in office, it also seems to be taking on a political dimension.
What policies should be implemented?
Chairwoman of the Tourism Committee, Alexandra Questel, a local elected official, initiated a consultation process with a Bordeaux-based auditing firm.The consultation included hoteliers, restaurateurs, real estate agencies, rental companies (cars, villas, etc.), the CESCE (Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Council), the multi-professional economic chamber, the hospital director, the gendarmerie, elected representatives and the prefect. The aim is to diagnose the territory and its realities, to identify the challenges and difficulties, and to determine what the Saint-Barth of tomorrow will look like," explains Alexandra Questel. The aim is to determine how to put into action policies that will prevent us from going to the wall. "
Meanwhile, the President of the Collectivité, Xavier Lédée, is organizing "territorial meetings" on the theme of tourism this Thursday, November 13 at 6pm. At the Hôtel de la Collectivité, the elected official wishes to establish "a process of listening, consultation and shared construction" in "a space for dialogue open to all". For Xavier Lédée, the aim is to "strengthen everyone's participation and build a common vision". A grand mass to which the economic players in the tourism sector were obviously invited. Like the hoteliers.
Olivier Leroy, President of the Hotels and Villas Association, describes the initiative to reflect on the evolution of tourism as "positive". However, he regrets that the initiative has come "a little late". He explains: "Over the years, hoteliers have evolved in a number of areas. Staff accommodation, energy efficiency and environmental protection, for example. What's more, the establishments accompany all the island's events as partners. Many things have changed on the island, such as the clientele or the general offer, but not the hotel offer, which continues to help sell the destination. "It remains to be seen whether the meeting organized this Thursday at the Collectivité will enable us to move forward in our thinking. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m.
