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Environmental-friendly tourist policies
The region : Local development and environmental policy in the Alps

Jean-Paul REVAZ, Head of the promotion of Tourism and Economy, State of Valais, Sion, Switzerland

 

 

Following a long period of development during which quantitative factors have often been considered more important than qualitative ones, alpine tourism is currently going through a period of change. For this change to be successful, tourism in the Alps must be pursued with sustainable development in mind.

Tourist development in an alpine environment

The growth of tourism has given rise to considerable upheavals in alpine society which has rapidly changed from being a virtually self-sufficient, land economy to being a service economy with new ways of thinking.

In this context of change, it is essential that the inhabitants of alpine regions feel at ease living there and that they participate in a touristdominated economy. The best way of doing this is for them to become players of tourism.

As illustrated by several surveys, the summer tourist appreciates above all a quality offer for all those aspects of tourism concerned with a natural or cultural environment. He is first and foremost a walker who likes tranquillity and nature and whose day is completed by entertainment. As a sporting person, he is also looking to experience new sensations. The winter tourist primarily looks for an offer providing easily accessible sporting facilities as well as ways to find entertainment. To sum up he is a fan of winter sports who also wants to be entertained in the evening. Both tourists like to be well looked after, with good accommodation and good food. It is our job to meet this demand.

The natural environment of the Alps is one of its major tourist assets. Its undulating and varied topography and generally favourable climatic conditions are good for tourism throughout most of the year. Moreover the continuing preservation of areas, the diversity of flora and fauna and the pure mountain air provide the clientele with a very positive image of the Alps. As well as its natural wealth, the area also benefits from having an unusual socio-cultural heritage.

We must therefore be aware of the need to conserve these top class environmental and cultural assets whilst continuing to profit from them, especially in regions where tourist development is the only income for the local populations.

The alpine regions have, in tourism, found a means for their own development. It is true that in mountain zones, there is hardly any viable alternative if a massive exodus of the population is to be avoided.

The diversified composition of the tourist sector, made up of numerous private and public companies and bodies, gives rise to just as many special and sometimes diverging interests. It is essential that all these players as well as the local population are involved in providing quality tourism which takes into account both economic market requirements and respects social, cultural and ecological values.

Using this global conception of tourist development in an alpine environment, Valais is working to draw up an environmental-friendly tourist policy. This policy consists of four objectives clearly revolving around the environment :

1. Preserving and enhancing natural sites

Since 1987 Valais has established a Master Plan for land planning in the canton. This tool, which is continually updated, is comprehensive as it also applies to communes. Although the mistakes of the past, especially those of the 1960s and 1970s have left their mark on the landscapes they are being felt less and less because the general quality of the environment has improved greatly. Actions taken by ecological organisations and advances in technology have often been behind this improvement.

Skiing is a good example of the progress made and of the problems which persist. Since the beginning of the 1980s, no more ski areas have been created in Valais and there are very few projects in hand. One project, however, which deserves to succeed quickly, concerns the development of the Swiss side of the Tête de Balme, close to Chamonix, to complement the French side which is already very well equipped. As a region Valais is both largely under-equipped and spread out over a large area. However ecological concerns, which are against efforts to make Valais viable, are taking their toll and delaying any progress.

Over the last 20 years, the total number of ski lifts has dropped by 10 % in Valais whilst the capacity of installations has risen by 30 %. Replacing drag lifts by gondolas has greatly reduced damage to the landscapes and increased efficiency and skier safety at the same time. Artificial snow cover is still a cause for tension between ski resorts and ecological organisations. In some regions of the Alps, such as Austria, greater conciliation has been achieved, where artificial snow covered pistes represent 20 % of ski areas compared with only 5 % in Switzerland.

Respect for the environment obviously involves protecting areas of important ecological value. Here there is no hesitation, natural reserves are needed. In Valais we have the remarkable site of Finges where the Rhône flows freely in an alluvial valley. A three-lane road and the Simplon railway cross this passage between the High and Low canton.

Because of the narrowness of the valley and geological constraints, it was impossible for the Valais motorway, now built on the outskirts of Finges, to avoid the area. In order to preserve this site, the Valais government decided to completely change the major transport routes in order to reduce the impact of such infrastructures to a maximum.

The natural reserves are obviously an asset for tourism. Without having the same ecological value, many other natural sites can also appeal to tourists. The value of these sites needs enhancing which is encouraged in Valais.

Sion's candidature for the winter Olympic games of 2006 has encouraged awareness of the need for sustainable development in particular through the organisation of a competition to find "exemplary projects for sustainable development". Several of the projects from this competition are currently being carried out.

2. Valorising specific use of the land

The alpine environment does not only concern landscapes. It has also benefited from man-made achievements, especially those carried out before the industrial and tourist period.

Our ancestors' genius for survival in an environment which was for a long time hostile, has not only given us a lot to consider, but has also provided us with remarkable achievements. Some of these are still being used as they were in the past and most of them have become tourist attractions.

For many centuries activities in the Alps have mostly been linked to agriculture. Their products are often unusual and are therefore worth promoting as part of a tourist offer. Recent, experience has shown that here too action is required on a regional level, both in bringing products together and ensuring their authenticity and quality.

3. Safeguarding and promoting cultural wealth and traditions

With sustainable development in mind, the environment also extends to sites with an historic or cultural, and therefore, tourist interest.

As in many alpine regions, poverty existed in Valais for many years and with the exception of roman times, there are few historic sites. All those of value are now listed as historic buildings and are fully protected by the authorities. Other sites, of lesser value, have been preserved by the private sector.

Whilst a building might be of little importance to the alpine heritage, it is often enhanced by remarkable traditions. Whether religious or related to folklore, such as processions, or agricultural traditions, such as cow competitions, they are becoming increasingly popular and appeal to tourists ever eager for authenticity.

Cultural life, animated by numerous village music or theatre companies, complete the tourist offer which is fully integrated in our conception of sustainable development.

4. Participating in inter-regional and cross-border projects

Alpine regions are confronted with common problems of development, which are not necessarily all dealt with in the same way.

Exchanging know-how has in the Mont Blanc region already led to concrete action on a local level with the "Triangle de l'Amitié" (Triangle of Friendship) where people from Chamonix, the Aosta Valley and Martigny share their experiences. This has continued on a regional level making cross-border actions easier.

Many of these actions, of a highly sustainable nature, have been carried out as part of activities of international organisations such as COTRAO (Western Alps Working Community), the Léman Council or the Espace Mont-Blanc.

For 10 years, the European Union has been financing a development programme for its border regions, especially encouraging cross-border co-operation. The Swiss cantons bordering the Union have been asked to take part in this programme which is called Interreg. They are currently participating in many projects with the financial support of the Swiss Confederation. Interreg is very successful, particularly in terms of economy, land planning and the protection of the environment and culture. The programme has enabled both the Union to grow closer to its citizens and Switzerland to its neighbours.

Conclusion

We believe that when decision-making power in predominantly in the hands of the regions and their populations, the results in terms of sustainable development are better than when power is vested in the capital. The future of the Alps therefore belongs primarily to those living in this outstanding area. It is up to local populations to enhance and respect this environment, as only a high ecological level will enable them to be competitive, especially in tourism. Their survival and independence will depend upon this. The alternative is that policy will be forced upon them by the technocrats.