A new face is entering the Ministry of Tourism. Nathalie Delattre, senator from Gironde and former Minister of Relations with Parliament, has just been appointed to this key position by François Bayrou. Discover the journey of this Bordeaux elected official who has not finished…
As part of the ministerial reshuffle carried out by Prime Minister François Bayrou, a well-known figure in Bordeaux political life has just entered the government. Nathalie Delattre, senator from Gironde and until now in charge of Relations with Parliament, was indeed appointed this Monday, December 23 to the post of Minister for Tourism.
A journey anchored in left-wing radicalism
Born in 1968 in Aubervilliers, Nathalie Delattre forged her first political skills in Dordogne, the department from which she comes. After a law degree obtained in Périgueux, she joined the Radical Party, a movement of which she would climb the ranks one by one until taking over its presidency in 2024.
Her career path led her to work as a parliamentary assistant to radical MP Jean-Pierre Calvel, then to join the Aquitaine Regional Council. An experience that will allow him to establish himself sustainably in the local political landscape.
An essential figure in Bordeaux political life
Elected to the Bordeaux Municipal Council in 2008, Nathalie Delattre will sit in opposition to the right-wing majority led by Alain Juppé. Re-elected in 2014, she became deputy mayor in charge of culture when environmentalists arrived at town hall in 2020.
His local roots were strengthened with his election to the Senate in 2012, under the label of the Radical Left Party. Re-elected in 2020, she will establish herself as one of the voices of the Gironde left in the High Assembly.
Tourism, a sector she knows well
In the Senate, Nathalie Delattre had the opportunity to work on issues relating to tourism, an area which falls under the regional planning and sustainable development committee of which she was a member. She was notably rapporteur for several texts concerning this sector:
- The finance bill for 2019, for “Tourism” credits
- A bill aimed at regulating the establishment of furnished tourist accommodation
- An information report on the promotion of the tourist heritage of small towns
Tourism is a tremendous development lever for our territories. It is a sector that creates non-relocatable jobs and generates significant economic benefits.
Nathalie Delattre, during a debate in the Senate in 2019
His appointment, a “luck for the sector” according to professionals
The arrival of Nathalie Delattre on rue de Bercy was welcomed by tourism stakeholders. For Roland Héguy, confederal president of the Union of Hotel Trades and Industries (UMIH), “his knowledge of the files and his sensitivity to territorial issues are real assets”.
For his part, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, who held the position of Secretary of State for Tourism in the previous government, welcomed “the choice of an elected representative from the field, attached as [lui] to defend this magnificent sector”.
The challenges that await
However, the new delegate minister will have a lot to do to restore a sector very weakened by the health crisis and current geopolitical tensions. Among the priority files are:
- The implementation of the “Destination France” plan, which aims to make France the world’s leading tourist destination
- Support for professionals facing the explosion of energy costs
- Adapting the offer to the new expectations of travelers, more sensitive to environmental issues
- The development of sustainable and responsible tourism
Players in the sector are now firmly awaiting the first announcements from Nathalie Delattre, who should quickly receive professional organizations. The opportunity for it to outline the contours of its roadmap and to reassure a sector which accounts for nearly 8% of the national GDP.
There is no doubt that the coming weeks promise to be decisive for the new delegate minister, whose appointment comes at a pivotal moment for French tourism. With her experience as an elected representative in the field and her in-depth knowledge of the issues, Nathalie Delattre has in any case solid assets to meet the challenges that await her and breathe new dynamism into this strategic sector of our economy.
