What is this new label, “France Station Nautique”, won by Greater Narbonne and officially presented during the general assembly of mayors of France in Paris? The director of the “Côte du Midi” tourist office, the director of engineering, development and observation of the OT as well as the president of the “resort council” detail the three major issues of this new stamp.
A new standard now flies over all the structures of the Greater Narbonne “Côte du Midi” tourist office. From now on, it is labeled France Station Nautique. This pavilion rewards efforts in favor of boating but above all must be a development tool for the destination as well as for the territory.
Put an end to a cruel lack of nautical culture
“The issues rest on two feet: the inhabitants and the tourists. We must put an end to a cruel lack of nautical culture in a context where it appears that on the side of our visitors, we are moving towards the end of the deckchair placed on sand. They are looking for busy weeks.explain with one voice Serge Hoibian, director of Côte du Midi, Michaël Chabanol, director of engineering, development and observation and Claude Lebessou, both elected to the ports of Narbonne and president of the boating club within the tourist office.
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The idea of this label is to bring together nautical stakeholders, whatever the activities they represent. You should know that between the sea, the ponds and the Canals du Midi and the Robine, no less than fourteen disciplines can be practiced. “It’s a blue economy that is too much ignored locally and we need to help professionals and associations come together. Beyond that, we need to raise awareness from a very young age and break preconceived ideas. People are wrongly a little afraid” , underlines Claude Lebessou.
A specific welcome guide and 4 stars as an objective
Roughly speaking, like ski resorts where almost everyone practices from early childhood, it should be the same here with everything that can be done on the water. The same goes for tourists, towards whom communication must be increased. To do this, a specific welcome guide will be published by Côte du Midi.
According to Michaël, who was the driving force behind obtaining the label, we must now achieve three objectives: “develop the maritime spirit, affirm a sporting and sustainable destination and structure the sector”. France Station Nautique is a support tool to achieve this, through its expertise, training, meetings and help in implementing strategies. A bit like the stars and forks in gastronomy, levels will crown possible future successes. There are four of them.
Independent – CHRISTOPHE BARREAU
Draw a roadmap for all stakeholders
“Each discipline has its own way of life. Today, they coexist on the same territory without sharing a common roadmap. Drawing it out is the challenge“, souligne Serge Hoibian.
Claude Lebessou also intends to share this roadmap with communities. “I would like us to manage to turn elected officials a little more towards the sea, including if they are not coastal,” he says.
He is, moreover, impatient for the major survey which made it possible to “profile” tourists who are fond of tourism and pleasure on the Côte du Midi to deliver its conclusions. This is planned for the beginning of 2025. “Everyone will thus be able to measure the weight of boating in the local economy”he adds.
