Amboise: La Pagode de Chanteloup speaks on the reorganization of the Tourist Office

IN BRIEF

Reorganization of the Amboise Tourist Office
The Pagoda of Chanteloup excluded from the steering committee
Decision announced in the press, without prior notice
Strong reaction from Thierry André, owner of the monument
Criticism of the lack of consultation in the decision-making process
Risk of politicization and “in-group” regarding the Office
Potential impact on tourism actions in the region

The Pagoda of Chanteloup, an iconic monument of Amboise, recently expressed its strong discontent following the reform of the Tourist Office approved by the Val d’Amboise community. As a result of this reorganization, the Pagoda will no longer sit on the Office’s steering committee, a decision that has been met with surprise and disillusionment by its owner, Thierry André, who only learned about it through the media.

An unexpected decision #

On Friday, December 13, Thierry André, owner of the Pagoda, reacted strongly to this reform, which ended the monument’s historical involvement in the governance bodies of local tourism. The news was particularly poorly received, as Thierry André not only learned this information from the press, but he also emphasizes the complete lack of communication prior to this decision, which reinforces his feeling of incomprehension.

A call for consultation #

In his statement, Thierry André did not hesitate to describe this situation as “extreme inelegance of the method”. He advocates for a more collaborative and empathetic approach to managing the region’s tourist resources. According to him, a simple informal exchange could have avoided this abrupt ejection. André also pointed out that for 27 years, the Pagoda of Chanteloup had been a key player in decision-making within the Amboise Tourist Office, making this exclusion all the more shocking.

The dangers of a radical reorganization #

Thierry André acknowledges a certain necessity to reform the steering committee, which must reduce its number of members from 27 to 11. However, he warns against the potential pitfalls of this restructuring. He fears that this new structure may favor the politicization of decisions made, which could undermine the agreement among the various stakeholders in the tourism sector. Furthermore, the tendency towards an “in-group” within the bodies could further alienate the Office from its historical partners, thus making collaboration and the innovation necessary for the destination’s attractiveness more difficult.

A heritage to preserve #

The Pagoda of Chanteloup, majestically standing atop a green park, is more than just a monument; it is a symbol of Amboise’s cultural heritage. With its unique history and its 14-hectare park offering breathtaking views of the Château d’Amboise and its surroundings, it is crucial to maintain the links between this heritage and the efforts of tourist promotion. The feeling of exclusion expressed by Thierry André should invite a thorough reflection on how to manage tourism policies to ensure fair representation of all actors in the sector.