FRANCE | LAURENCE JÉGOUZO 167 This office monitors EU regulations and is involved in the drafting of the European directive on passenger data. In charge of international affairs, economic and strategic monitoring for the tourism sector, it analyses the challenges facing the tourism sector in the future. Its institutional role is important because of the close relations it maintains with the major tourism institutions: Ministry, WTO, OECD. Recently, an international convention has been studied with the UNWTO to ensure the rights of tourists and travel and tourism operators, including the establishment of a secure framework for both parties on the legal issue of force majeure. The office also works in cooperation with the European institutions. The Tourism Unit has a permanent link with the Competitiveness and Development of Tourism Activities Office. b) Tourist destinations office The Tourist Destinations Office is responsible for implementing tourism policy in coastal, mountain, rural and urban tourist areas in mainland France and in the overseas departments and regions in conjunction with the relevant ministerial departments. The office is responsible for the implementation of national policies on sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism and the balanced servicing of the territory. It draws up and manages the designation of tourist municipalities and the classification of tourist resorts. Finally, it supports policies on leisure, gastronomy and business tourism based on a territorial approach and deals with the problems of classified municipalities in conjunction with elected representatives. This office supervises the National Council of Cities and Villages in Bloom (le Conseil national des villes et villages fleuris). c) Office for tourism professions The Tourism Professions Bureau leads the sector of tourism activities and professions. It draws up the regulations applicable to the tourist industries, particularly accommodation, cafés-restaurants, travel sales, guide-interpreters and lecturers. Several studies have recently been carried out on the tourism professions and a reference framework is currently being developed. Its role is particularly important to ensure that these professions are better recognised and that training is better adapted to the expectations of the profession. The professional federations and organisations are involved in this work.
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