Inspiration
Sustainable Hospitality: Placing People, Nature, and the Local Economy First
The Lake Annecy Tourism Office bolsters its commitment to CSR
“Two years ago, the Lake Annecy Tourism Office launched a structured, strategic CSR initiative, implemented both internally and across its network of partners. This concrete approach addresses the many challenges facing our destination, from the lake to the surrounding mountains, with natural terrain that is heavily visited yet extremely fragile, and at a time where visitors are increasingly attentive to our commitment to the environment,” explains Mathias Hottois, in charge of implementing the Tourism Office’s CSR policy.
This long-term goal for this CSR initiative is to strike a balance between the area’s tourism industry and the need to preserve the local ecosystem. By working with tourism professionals to promote more sustainable practices and raising awareness among visitors about the importance of protecting the natural environment, the Tourism Office aims to make Lake Annecy a model destination for sustainable tourism, where showcasing the area’s beauty never comes at the expense of preserving it.
Showcasing best practices even without official certification
Several companies already have a well-developed sustainability policy even without obtaining official certification, often due to limited time and budget. We have chosen to recognize these efforts by creating a Sustainable Business Charter, co-written with local professionals, and seventy have already signed up.
The goal is to make their efforts more visible to the general public through content on our social media pages and communications kits that we provide. Certain businesses like Les Trésoms, Blue Secret, and Takamaka have led the way by fully integrating CSR into their business. They serve ideal ambassadors to rally the other tourism professionals in the area.
In the short term, the Tourism Office aims to engage all 450+ of its members in adopting more sustainable business practices.
© Peignée Verticale
A more structured approach to CSR
On May 19, 2025, at the Imperial Conference Center – Grand Annecy, the Tourism Office officially launched its CSR Charter. Charlotte Kastler, intern and a student at IPAC Business School, is leading the project. To reinforce the cross-functional approach and streamline access to information, every department now has a designated CSR contact.
A carbon footprint assessment is currently underway for both the Tourism Office and the Conference Center, with the goal of building an ambitious action plan to reduce their environmental impact. The Chamber of Commerce is also an integral role in this initiative.
After summer vacation, a collective will be formed to maintain momentum: speakers, local coordinators, and shared initiatives. Everything is in place address the challenges facing the area’s fragile natural environment and to position Lake Annecy as a sustainable, responsible, and transparent destination, one aligned with visitor expectations, from businesses to families on vacation.
© Peignée Verticale
Top of page photo credit:
- © Peignée Verticale
Journalist: Aude Pollet Thiollier
Translation: Darin Reisman