The Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourist Office has just signed the national charter of eco-responsible commitments set up by the French government and WWF. For all its sporting events, the Tourist Office has made 15 commitments in areas such as mobility, water management and inclusion. This initiative is part of the destination's global approach, and sends out a strong signal to local players.
"On the strength of its ability to organize and host major events such as Tous en Piste and the Bessans International Marathon, and of its desire to offer eco-responsible events, the Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourist Office has become the first French tourist office to sign the charter of 15 eco-responsible commitments , the Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourist Office has become the first tourist office in France to sign the charter of 15 eco-responsible commitments, thus joining the ranks of France's biggest event organizers, such as Paris 2024, ASO and the country's biggest sports federations ," explains Jérémy Prokop, Events Manager at the Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourist Office.
Continuity of the Tourist Office's actions for a preserved territory
The signing of this charter is part of Eccho 2030, the region's tourism strategy for 2030, which focuses on environmental issues (climate change, biodiversity, sustainable development). Numerous eco-responsible actions have already been developed for this winter's events.
The Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourist Office is also carrying out a carbon assessment, which will enable it to define an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its activities by 2025. What's more, the Tourist Office has already made its employees aware of their individual impact and the possibilities for adapting to it during "2-tonne" workshops held in October 2024.
Numerous eco-responsible actions are also carried out directly by local players such as the Vanoise National Park, ski resorts, town halls and the Communauté de communes.
The 15 eco-responsible commitments: concrete actions implemented at events organized by the Tourist Office
All Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourist Office events must comply with this charter.
Commitment 1: Sustainable food
On the Transmaurienne Vanoise and the Marathon International de Bessans, meals for organizers and volunteers are provided by local caterers. Priority is given to local produce, and vegetarian options are systematically proposed.
Commitment 2: Sustainable mobility
The Nature et Ski and Tous en Piste events make participants/spectators aware of the need to travel by train and bus.
Commitment 3: Waste reduction
All events include waste sorting garbage cans for optimum waste management.
Commitment 4: Natural sites, green spaces and biodiversity
On Nature et Ski and the Montée de l'Iserane, the Parc national de la Vanoise is on hand to raise awareness of the flora and fauna of the area, among skiers and spectators...
Commitment 5: Preserve water and energy resources
On Mountain Collections and SAMSE, water is optimized to reduce and eliminate wastage at refreshment points.
Commitment 6: Responsible purchasing
With our goodies, we aim to reduce quantities and give priority to "made in France" and recycled materials, as with Tous en Piste and Boarderline.
Commitment 7: Sponsorship
One main partner, the Coopérative Laitière de Haute Maurienne Vanoise. The aim is to give priority to local players in favor of CSR and short purchasing circuits.
Commitment 8: Digital footprint
Work has begun with the Phene consultancy to reduce the company's digital footprint.
Commitment 9: Contribute to a more inclusive society
The Tous en Piste event offers discounts, particularly to families, to promote inclusion in activities such as skiing.
Commitment 10: Promoting gender equality
In all sporting competitions, men's and women's prizes are equal, as are any bonuses.
Commitment 11: Accessibility for people with disabilities (PWD)
The Mountain Collections and Biathlon Contest enable people with disabilities to take part on an equal footing with other participants.
Commitment 12: Cause for solidarity
The Freeride de Bonneval sur Arc and the Enduro du Jeu enable local associations to set up stands (refreshment stands...) to develop their profits.
Commitment 13: Responsible management of volunteers
Covering volunteers' expenses (catering, accommodation); creating highlights among volunteers to foster integration.
Commitment 14: Internal mobilization for the event's eco-responsibility approach
Tourist Office employees are being trained in CSR issues, notably with the climate fresco or the 2 Tons workshop carried out in October 2024.
Commitment 15: Education for sustainable development
AREMACS, an association helping events to make the ecological and social transition, is raising awareness among participants (customers + volunteers) of the best practices to adopt at Tous en Piste in Val Cenis.
