IA few days ago, the Arès Tourist Office invited the traders and craftsmen of the town to meet representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the Chamber of Trades, at the Le Boïate hotel. . “Even if the context is not very good, we did not want to have a pessimistic speech, but on the contrary to present what the consular chambers are proposing to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow, to project ourselves into the future”, summarizes Aurélie Princeau, director of the Tourist Office.
A context effectively marked by “inflation which slows down consumption”, and a “month of July which started very late and which was fortunately offset by a good month of August”, she adds. This meeting in fact symbolizes an approach launched by the Tourist Office, since it moved (in 2022) from association to municipal management, of which Mayor Xavier Daney is president. It includes four agents and a naturalist guide. “The idea is to integrate the broader economy with tourism. Traders and artisans play an important part in the development of tourism. They are the first smile of the municipality, a link and a relay to the Arésiens and the Arésiennes”, explains Nicolas Seigneurin, municipal councilor and vice-president of the Office.
Building a network
“The work began two years ago with the creation of a network of traders and craftsmen. Then, we promoted them on our supports, which are our website mescommercesetartisans-ares.fr, which highlights local consumption and our social networks (Facebook, Instagram or Tik-Tok),” explains Aurélie Princeau. She cites presentations like “One day, a portrait” or “I tested it for you”, or a “blog” article every month and an advent calendar.
Further work on meetings was initiated in the spring to bring forward ideas for concrete actions to be carried out in the field, “in consultation”, insists the director. Three themes on the menu: Move and have fun, Consume and Holidays in all seasons. This consultation will end at the end of November and will normally result in actions, either carried out by the municipality or by the traders or craftsmen themselves. The process is carried out in collaboration with the Arès Traders' Union chaired by Laurent Granel.
