France: the law on the modernization and development of tourist services is finally adopted
Thursday 09 July 2009
The bill for the modernization and development of tourist services, as finally adopted by parliament on the night of July 7 to 8, became law.
This text is intended to permanently upgrade the tourism sector through structural reforms. Remember that France is always the first world tourist destination with 79 million tourists in 2008 (but the third in revenue).
This legislation, consisting of 35 articles, contains all of the four major reforms from the original bill:
* Reform of the classification of tourist accommodation, in part to the private sector. This reform will upgrade the park french accommodation and attraction, especially with 5-star hotels, an international business clientele;
* Regulatory reform vouchers holidays. In 2008, about 3 million employees holders holiday vouchers, only 30 000 were employed in businesses with fewer than 50 employees. This is to repair an injustice and to create conditions for increasing the dissemination of holiday vouchers in small businesses by removing the constraints to implementing and improving the conditions of their marketing
* The creation of Atout France, the new tourism development agency of France, born odit rapprochement between France and Maison de la France. The single operator of the state will enable the implementation of a public policy of tourism more coordinated and effective, including better promotion of the destination France abroad. The agency is acting of general interest in the field of hotel classification and the keeping of the register of tour operators;
* The modernization and simplification of the regulation of the sale of travel. This reform, while ensuring a strong consumer protection, will increase the competitiveness of sellers of travel to France to face their main competitors, to take into account the growth of the Internet, and facilitate market entry of new actors, such as industry conferences.
The debates in Parliament have enriched the text of the new measures, useful for the support and the modernization of the French tourist industry.
Among these include provisions to moralize the residential sector of tourism, to establish a new classification for the guest rooms, to transpose the directive known as "time-share", to regulate the marketing of boxes gifts, and to regulate the activity of moto-taxis. But the most iconic of these is the introduction of lower VAT rate in the catering sector. This rate of 5.5% is applicable, as we know, since 1 July. Professional organizations are committed when signing the "Contract for the future of the restoration on 28 April 2009 to fully pass the gains on lower prices, creating jobs, improving the situation of employees and modernization of the sector. To accompany the restaurant, a specific fund modernization is in place.
The texts of the draft law have been prepared in conjunction with its discussion in Parliament and will be circulated for consultation to professionals in the coming days.
Source: website of the Prime Minister