A summer of "slow tourism"

Why not choose slow tourism this year? This trend, accelerated by Covid-19, is a way to go on vacation while limiting your environmental impact.  

In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about slow tourism for your summer 2022!  

What is slow tourism?

"Slow tourism" is a reference to "slow food", the local, varied and eco-friendly approach to eating. Slow tourism is therefore the opposite of mass tourism and promises trips with little environmental impact that support the local economy.  

Slow tourism grew more widely during the Covid-19 pandemic, when health restrictions made it impossible to travel outside Europe.  

How to travel the "slow tourism" way?

The goal of slow tourism is to reduce your environmental impact as much as possible, even on vacation. This applies to every aspect of a trip.  

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Nearby destinations

Sustainable tourism is about supporting the local economy. The aim is therefore to favor nearby destinations, which means staying in France. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw an increase in local tourism, as French people were unable to leave the country because of health restrictions.  

In the spirit of slow tourism, "city breaks" have also grown in popularity: short stays in regional capitals such as Bordeaux, Toulouse or Marseille.  

Sustainable tourism transportation

To limit your environmental impact, even on vacation, slow tourism means favoring clean transportation such as trains, carpooling or bicycles.  
In fact, in 2020, FranceVeloTourisme, the website that lists all cycling routes in France, saw an 86% increase in its traffic.  

On the other hand, polluting journeys, especially by plane, should be avoided. Air travel is by far the most polluting mode of transportation, with CO2 emissions 45 times higher than those of the TGV high-speed train and 10 times higher than those of the bus.  

Eco-friendly accommodation

The places most sought after by sustainable travelers are often located in the heart of nature and in the countryside. There has been renewed interest in "tiny houses". The aim is to disconnect and reconnect with nature and with what really matters.  

This reflects the philosophy of energy sobriety, as opposed to overconsumption.  

Mobile accommodation is also on the rise, with converted vans and motorhomes, especially among young adults. Sales of converted vans rose by 20% in 2020.

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Meaningful vacations

In addition to having a reduced environmental impact, slow tourism seeks to support the local economy by providing work for local artisans and producers.  

But above all, sustainable tourism puts people at the heart of the journey. It is important to be able to make connections, meet new people, discover new activities... In short, to experience a change of scene while staying close to home.  

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