Black Périgord: rather than overtourism, the general director of Semitour prefers to talk about undertourism

On the occasion of the visit of members of the CESER office to Lascaux IV, the regional consultative assembly from civil society, the general director of Semitour André Barbé outlined an initial assessment of the summer. And outlined some strategic perspectives

The Lascaux IV site in Montignac, Dordogne, hosted the 30 members of the Regional Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESER) for New Aquitaine, including its president, Yves Jean, for two days on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 September. The consultative assembly of 180 members from 110 organisations is the civil expression of the region through the colleges representing four socio-professional categories (companies, unions, associations and qualified individuals).

If the Ceser is asked for an opinion on draft budgets and major regional master plans, it is also asked by the President of the Regional Council (1) and can also take action on its own initiative (2).

Regional tourism strategy (as well as the issue of accessibility to tourist sites in rural areas) was on the agenda of this back-to-school seminar, which was attended by André Barbé, general manager of Semitour and a member of the Ceser for the past eighteen months. The manager of eight heritage sites in the Dordogne took the opportunity to provide an initial assessment of the summer that is coming to an end.

"It's a good season, thanks in part to the fantastic weather," the specialist explains, arguing that heatwaves are experienced differently. "On vacation, people don't complain about the heat," he assures.

At the flagship site of Lascaux IV, the increase is around 3% (i.e. 15,000 additional tickets). The summer was marked by peaks in attendance with days during which the site was full: the maximum capacity of 4,500 visitors was reached six or seven times during the month of August when 90% of reservations were made online, these are customers "used to traveling."

But rather than overtourism, as on the island of Aix in Charente-Maritime, or overcrowding, like the Dune of Pilat , André Barbé prefers to talk about... undertourism, arguing that the Dordogne "still has potential": "There were still empty tourist beds." Data that make him "rather optimistic" in advocating "respect for visitors" going to places not denatured by mass tourism, such as Mont Saint-Michel.

A statement that involves the dilution of visitors to the territory: "There is a route to rediscover that passes through the abbey of Cadouin, Monpazier, Biron." As such, he announces a 30% increase in attendance at the Château de Biron. The 90,000 visitor mark should be crossed by the end of the year, compared to 74,000 in 2024 and 26,000 in 2015.

A stone giant that has forged ties with its neighbors in Lot-et-Garonne, the châteaux of Gavaudun and Bonaguil. "There's no competition, nor any notion of territory," he maintains. Other cornerstones: keeping the area alive by opening 11 months out of 12 or organizing evening events: "People want to experience something."

(1) For example, on the ongoing analysis of the yellow vests' grievance books. (2) On mobility in rural areas, reindustrialization or access to higher education.