The Case of La Pointe du Raz (Brittany, France). Kunieda .... Lastly to set up the information center as the starting .... Final stage of the project started from '93.
An Integrated Approach to Control of Tourists Flow: The Case of La Pointe du Raz (Brittany, France) Kunieda, Yoshimi Historically, tourism has both positive and negative impacts at the destinations. Those impacts can be economical, social and environmental. For long periods France has been well- known as a top ranking destination in the world. However, they have a huge impact on the environment, which is aggravated by their seasonal occurrence during summer, school holidays or concentration at coasts, mountains, some cities etc. Therefore, sustainable project such as in Mont-Saint-Michel, World Heritage site in France is underway aiming at sustainable tourism development. On the other hand, there was an initial case of such development in La Pointe du Raz prior to the Mont-Saint-Michel back in 1980’s. In this study, the case of La Pointe du Raz is being discussed by an integrated approach.
Keywords：sustainable development, visitor flow control, congestion
1. Introduction
important issue (Park et al., 2008). In France, open access is
In this paper, the sustainable management and
the rule for recreational areas, especially for coastal zones
policies in France are discussed and consider how they
(Leplat, et al., 2010). It may lead to over visitation, a
promote a balance between environmental protection and
situation close to the tragedy of the commons described for
economic benefits, and the tourist flow management by
natural resources (Hardin, 1968). Eagles (2001) suggests
integrated approach.
that the negative impact of tourism on park resources is less
Permanent congestion at a destination or site occurs
influenced by absolute numbers of visitors, and more
when the place experiences large and continuing levels of
influenced by weak tourism policy, management and
visitation, in other words, continuous overcrowding (WTO,
staffing often caused by very low levels of finance.
2004). On the other hand, fluctuating congestion comes
Managers of protected areas worldwide face the challenge
about when there are defined periodical events, such as
of conserving natural and cultural heritage for future
school vacations and public holidays, weekends etc., that
generations, ensuring that conservation values are not
generate significant tourism or visitor activity within the
degraded by the current generation’s use and appreciation of
short period of the year. This kind of congestion requires not
these areas (Buckley, 2001).
only additional transportation, staffing, but also security,
One of the first degradation resulting from the
various services at short times. Once Wagar (1964)
presence of tourists is vegetation trampling, which often
suggested in conceptual application of carrying capacity to
affects
outdoor recreation; “When too many people use the same
(Andrés-Abellán et al., 2006). There are many ecological
area, some traditional wildland values are lost.” This issue is
related studies of tourist impact on vegetation have been
at the heart of the social carrying capacity concept and has
conducted on such as sand dunes (Liddle and Greig-Smith,
often contributed, along with concerns environmental
1975), soils (Park et al., 2008), forest (Marzano, 2012),
impacts, to regulation of the number of people using parks
alpine environments (Whinam and Chilcott, 2003), but there
and outdoor recreation areas(Manning et al., 2000). Thus it
have been few studies on coastal vegetation on rocky soil
is essential to have aspect of congestion management to
(Gallet and Rozeé, 2002).
minimize crowding in the site as well as destination
ecosystems
of
high
conservation
value
According to Cole and Knight (1991), the earliest
management to provide visitors quality of experience.
study of tourist impacts on natural environments was
2. Literature review Concern over the environmental impacts of visitor use
conducted by Meinecke (1928) on tree roots in the
in parks and related areas is a perennial and increasingly
vegetation subjected to trampling. By the late 1950s, a few
*Osaka Seikei College
California redwood state parks. Then Bates(1935) suggested
other recreation impact studies had been conducted. It was
La Pointe du Raz, that serves as the precedent.
in the 1960s and 1970s, however, that an increased
4. La pointe du Raz
awareness of recreational impact problems spurred a great
Pointe du Raz is a rocky cape located with west of
increase in the number of studies (Cole and Knight 1991).
Plogoff in the Iroise sea with beauty and wild protruding in
Probably Frissell (1978) is the first monitoring wildness
the Atlantic Ocean. 72km long granite coast of ocean is one
campsite trampling and footpath impacts in the mountain of
of
Scotland and England. In 1990’s in Australia, Sun and
Brittany. It has been
Liddle (1993 a,b) developed the work and Whinam et
known
al.,(1994) researched related to management of World
destination of a superb
Heritage Areas in Tasmania. Recently coastal works seem
view in Finistère Brittany,
to have shifted to recreational impacts on reefs and intertidal
located
areas (Rouphael and Inglis, 2002).
France, in Plogoff city while it used to be also popular since
3. Sustainable project in France
late 19th century.
the
features as
in
a
of
tourist
northwest
Mont Saint Michel and its bay, a world heritage site, is
La Point du Raz praised by prominent authors,
one of the most visited destinations in France. With a
Gustave Flaubert and Victor Hugo, with breathtaking
remarkable landscape and ecosystem, its rare beauty attracts
majestic views from the cliff, came to be known as "The end
international tourists all over the world (Kunieda et al, 2014).
of the world" worldwide. Due to the strongest currents in
Recently, however, due to the accumulating sedimentation
Europe, the river called The Baie des Trépassés(meaning of
around the Mont and access road to the island, the
river of death) is running between Point du Raz and the
monument has been less frequently surrounded by water at
Pointe du Van, which reveals particular featuring of this
high tide, and as a result, the natural scenery will lose its
areas. It was selected as the natural attractions of Grand
uniqueness if this situation prolonged. Therefore, the
Sites of France.; The 33 locations in the country in 2004. It
operation to restore Mont Saint Michel’s maritime character
has a logo mark given to only six places among them.
became official in 1995, and framework studies were
(1) Problem due to congestion
launched from that time, and work began in 2005.
The site, as a landscape of high interest, is protected
It is indeed a long-term project with a high ambition
by an ancient and strict French law of 1930 prohibiting any
to restore the original landscape and create a new approach
intervention without prior ministerial approval (WTO, 2004).
as an alternative to existing roads (Kunieda et al., 2014).
La Pointe du Raz became a sanctuary until 1943 from its
Thereafter, Syndicat Mixte, an association of communes
fragile natural environment. Hotel and Museum were built
and other local authorities such as Conseils Généraux,
between 1948 and 1950 then, 2 hectares parking and 14
pooling financial resources work together with members of
stores were built in 1962. Since then number of tourists
University Brest and other members started the marketing
started to increase up to 300,000 visitors per year in 1970
strategy and its research for the Mont Saint Michel.
reached 500,000 visitors by 1990. Condition of soil and
The strategy has mainly three points. To improve
plants were exacerbated by trampling incessant tourists.
visitor's satisfaction by extending tourists staying time
Progressively degraded by over-frequentation and the lack
within the site to expect economic effect. Secondly to make
of active management, the site has been selected for a pilot
strong impression of its historical meaning of Mont Saint
project of restoration and long term planning（WTO, 2004).
Michel will make sense of one’s existence as a sustainable
The problems at La Pointe du Raz are as follows;
sightseeing spot. Lastly to set up the information center as
1. On particular days, in July, August and over the spring
the starting point of the shuttle bus is the aim at preventing
weekends over-frequentation occurs., 2. Due to congestion
the dissemination of the tourists. The project will be all
and crowding, the satisfaction level of visitors declines in
finish up to 2015.On the other hand, there was an initial case
spite of spirits of the site., 3. Intense trampling cause the
of such development back in 1980’s already in France. It is
complete destruction of vegetation exposed under the sever
condition such as strong wind and heavy rain, etc., 4. The
new parking, information, reception and shopping area has
site is extremely disturbed by cars. No integration of the car
been moved to the 800m behind. Only eco-friendly shuttle
parks into the site.
bus of natural gas, staff and weather station are allowed to
(2) Integral approach 1) Main objective and planning From 1988 on, a comprehensive restoration and
go beyond the Visitor Center, which is located in the reception. In addition, 7 km hiking trail was newly developed in order to reduce the damage of plants and soil
management plan has been implemented for the protection
by trampling.
of the site and the satisfaction of the visitors. It is based on a
3) Destination and demand management
permanent collaboration between all the stakeholders:
The objective was:
national and local authorities, voluntary environmental
・To encourage visitors to stay longer to have interest not
associations, tourism industry, commercial services located
only La Pointe du Raz but other close areas in order to
Nearby or on the site (WTO, 2004).
increase economic effects.
Through the study in 1989, Syndicat Mixte union was
・Beside the peak periods, corroborate with coach companies
established in 1991 for the natural protection by Britani,
to promote visitors outside. Also lure potential visitors to
Point du Raz, and Cape Sizun. The State financially
make them interest in the site during off season.
supported the project, helped by commercial sponsorship:
After 1992, the plants were transplanted and replanted.
apart from ‘Gaz de France’, the only national partner, two
Final stage of the project started from '93. The work, which
regional partners and a dozen
plan seeds over 30,000 square kilometers has become a case
local partners made it possible to add about 8 million
project as green Brittany. The following year, small flowers
francs to the budget of 40 million francs(Yelles, 2002 )
began to bloom. Time required in order regaining the natural
2) Site management
environment of the land, this project took about five years
The management put in place at the site aimed at the
thereafter.
followings:
Recently, 850,000 people is the carrying capacity in
・To restore the original appearance of the Pointe du Raz; to
the site with a much better visitor experience and guarantees
restore mainly Heather (evergreen shrub) into original.
against degradation of the site visit in shuttle bus ridership in
・To create a main entrance to the site besides a car park, a
a year. The buses are provided by GDF Suez, the former
visitor's center, information service, gift shops and toilets.
France Gaz company(Gaz de France Foundation). The work
This distance and spaciousness of pedestrian area gives
for this environmental protection was carried out in
visitors with much better perception toward the whole site.
1996-2000, financially supported by local companies and
・To establish a zoning in the site according the fragility；a
State. The cost for this operation, €530,000 has been mostly
zone of welcome area for visitors, walking and discovery zone, for more fragile area where visitors are not encouraged
allocated for relocating of parking. Today La Pointe du Raz is one of the “Grand Site
to reach.
National” of France being managed by a consortium of the
・To set up a new management body in charge of daily
Conservatoire du Littoral, the Conseil Général du Finistère
maintenance, public information and relation with local
and the Communauté de Communes du Cap Sizun. It was
authorities ・ To provide information for public awareness of
awarded to the site with a management along the principle
preservation
The new car park costs 6€ per car, regardless of the number
Therefore, as former shops and parking were demolished,
of passengers or the length of stay. Entering the site, you are
of sustainable development, by the Ministry of Environment.
given an invitation to collect a FREE map of the area that defines the safe footpaths across the heath and heather from the Information Centre. Walking along the pixie footpaths, lined with gorse and heather, where moor meets
ocean and discover the wild beauty of Pointe de Raz. 4)Visitor flow control measure within the site ・7km walking trails helps visitors spending enough time while they are in the site. ・There are clear delimitation of paths, that visitors are not allowed to enter and they are well informed about the reason why, so that there are very few infractions. ・Spreading the visitor’s flow, a variety routes are provided. -A free shuttle is available to access to La Pointe du Raz from the parking for those can’t or don’t wish to walk. -General public paths of easy access offer magnificent views of the site and the sea. ・Control of the entries and conduct survey regularly so that managers know the number of visitors to the site and to adjust the program and staffing etc. ・Eco-meters along the paths make it possible to know the number of passages and to regulate the flows; 5. Conclusion The total investment of the whole project of restoration and of re-organization of the management was about 10 million Euros. It helps public funding from State and Local Authorities together with tourism industry, business sponsoring and the general public. Annual operating budget are about 600.000 Euros are all covered by fees from visitors, such as entrance fee and parking fees etc. Annual visitors satisfaction rating shows that they enjoy the new organization after the restoration project, The local population is proud of La Pointe du Raz, a site of which the original quality has been restored (WTO, 2004). As visitors stay longer in the site, economic fallout for surrounding areas is reported. 6. Discussion In this study sustainable management at La Pointe du Raz was discussed, however, there was a little interpretation about the hardship in culture and politics in the history as Yelles (2002) suggested. Further studies are needed in multidisciplinary aspect in the future. Acknowledgements：I appreciate the help received from Dr. Louis Brgand and Cécile Guégan, Université de Bretagne Occidental in Brest in line with my research. This work was supported by the 38th Science Research Promotion Fund in 2013 in Japan. 【Reference】 1) Andrés-Abellán, M., Benayas Del Álamo, J., Landete-Castillejos,
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