Posted Oct 2, 2022, 10:00 AM
The tourist offer is growing and diversifying in the Val-d’Oise. For this tenth edition of the tourism innovation trophies awarded by the department, 6 projects were rewarded. In plenary session, this Friday, September 30, 2022, an envelope of 74,000 euros for projects representing 230,000 euros throughout the territory, was adopted by the department advisers.
These projects, which for the most part enhance the emblematic places of the department such as the village of La Roche-Guyon and the Oise valley, were chosen for their ability to strengthen the tourist offer. And for 10 years, out of 75 hosting projects, digital tools and promotional media supported under this program, 1.3 million euros have been provided by the department for an overall investment by communities of 10, 4 million euros.
The visitor experience
Unlike previous years when projects to improve the hotel offer were supported, priority was given to visitor routes. “When you go to a tourist place, the visitor experience must be optimal, it’s very important,” says Julien Bachard, departmental adviser in charge of Tourism and International and European Relations. This is how the “Au fil de l’Oise” project carried out by the municipality of Pontoise, consisting of scenic devices on the ramparts and a new guinguette received the biggest support from the department with 44,000 euros.
The creation of a digital tour of the life and history of Royaumont Abbey also received 28,000 euros. This same abbey also benefits from aid of 1.8 million euros from the department as part of restoration and development work until 2028.
Return of foreign tourists
As for the balance sheet of the summer tourist season after two years of drastic drop in attendance, it is an uneven return of foreign visitors that has been observed. “The Europeans, especially the Italians, English and Germans have returned, but we still lack the Asian and especially Japanese customers”, emphasizes Julien Bachard. This last clientele, whose conditions for leaving the country are very strict, is particularly expected because Val-d’Oise is a recognized destination from Japan.
At the same time, the department is working on a new tourist plan to refine its attractiveness strategy, which will be presented by the end of the year. This roadmap is already in line with the priorities defined by the region, namely green tourism and major events, with the deadline for the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and the Olympic Games in 2024.
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