A subsidiary of the Caisse des Dépôts, the Banque des Territories is best known for the support it provides to communities. However, its scope of intervention is not limited to the public sphere. In Vienne, it is particularly a strong partner for players in the tourism sector. “An important sector in the departmental economy”underlines Fabien Maillet, territorial director of the establishment.
Thus, the Banque des Territories is a key partner of DéfiPlanet’, in Dienné. It provided the Vos Destinations nature group with support of 2.3 million euros (M€) which took the form of ten-year convertible bonds. An essential financial boost, at a time when it was investing €5.3 million in new unusual accommodation, in the creation of a lagoon and in the creation of a new fun course.
The first contacts between Vos Destinations Nature and the Banque des Territories date back to November 2020. Covid-19 had brought the economy to a standstill for an initial period of several months. The context encouraged many players to seek banking support. However, it was an offensive logic that governed the creation of the DéfiPlanet’ support plan. “We support a development project”summarizes Fabien Maillet.
Surrounded by executives from the Vos Destinations nature group, Jean-Michel Brunet recalled the scope and the first effects, at the end of September, during the visit of a delegation from the Bank of Territories to Dienné: extension of the length of stay, extension of the reception and accommodation offer for school populations, revitalization of the awareness-raising course on sustainable development issues which arouses “a very good satisfaction rate”…
€15 million in the tourism sector in Vienne
Another development subject, business tourism. DéfiPlanet’ is one of the department’s major players in this field, with its eight meeting and reception rooms which allow it to accommodate groups of 600 people for several days and the range of activities offered on site. It must further expand in 2025, with the creation of “green team building” modules on the theme of social and environmental responsibility, the DNA of the site which was a pioneer in this field and which continues to cultivate this difference.
By supporting the Dienné site, the Banque des Territoires is making its mark even further in the evolution of the tourist offer in Vienne. She was previously part of the roundtables organized during the creation of the Center Parcs in Morton, in Loudunais, and the Ecolodgee hotel, at Futuroscope. It is also helping to finance the creation of new high-end accommodation and a lagoon at the Floating Village in Pressac.
Fabien Maillet emphasizes that these commitments follow the same territorial logic: “In New Aquitaine, we support two to three projects per year, with a leverage effect of 6 or 7.” For the Vienne department alone, it has injected some €15 million into the tourism sector.
