Nord Franche-Comté: The Innovative Strategies of Belfort to Enhance its Tourism and Highlight its Territory

IN BRIEF Belfort: intersection between tourist office and departmental committee. Strategies to promote the city and the department. Purpose to welcome visitors and promote tourist assets. Location in the heart of the Belfort Territory. Emphasis on local attractiveness and the image of the region. Water and cultural activities in natural spaces like the Malsaucy peninsula. Commitment to the development of sustainable tourism.

The North Franche-Comté region, and particularly the city of Belfort, stands out for its innovative initiatives aimed at enriching its tourist offerings. By combining local promotion and sustainable development, Belfort highlights the strengths of its territory to attract new visitors while preserving its cultural and natural heritage. This article explores the strategies implemented to enhance this unique territory and promote its visibility.

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A unique combination of two tourism services #

Belfort has a remarkable specificity in France: it houses a tourist office that focuses on the city while acting as a departmental tourism committee, promoting the entire Belfort Territory. This “2 in 1” model maximizes promotional efforts both locally and departmentally. The shared presidency between Grand Belfort and the departmental council illustrates this strengthened collaboration in the promotion of tourist assets.

Attractiveness of the region: a strategic issue #

For the Belfort territory to become a preferred destination, an image strategy has been put in place. This aims to amplify the attractiveness of the region, promote its products and destinations as well as its travel routes. Thus, the development of a coherent tourist route is essential to guide visitors through local treasures.

Enhancing natural and cultural resources #

A major axis of Belfort’s tourism strategy lies in the enhancement of its natural resources, particularly the Malsaucy peninsula. This location has become an important meeting point for outdoor activities, offering walks on foot or by bike, as well as water activities. Additionally, this desire to elevate the importance of the natural setting is accompanied by a focus on industrial culture, an essential component of Belfort’s identity.

A collective vision for territorial development #

The territorial project for North Franche-Comté is based on precise strategic choices, essential to strengthen the balance of the territory and support economic development. Regional actors emphasize the need for a collective vision, where each municipality plays a role in this dynamic. This proactive dialogue between different stakeholders fosters the sharing of ideas and innovation.

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An environment conducive to cooperation #

Cooperation between the various actors in the territory, whether associations, businesses, or institutions, is crucial for the success of tourism initiatives. The synergy created allows for the multiplication of projects in favor of tourism development, while preserving local values. Each actor brings its specificity, thus enriching the tourist experience.

Through its innovative strategies, Belfort illustrates how a territory can reinvent itself by enhancing its history, culture, and landscapes. By considering the aspirations of visitors, the region seeks to offer a unique experience, rooted in the reality of North Franche-Comté.