Founded in Geneva in 1996 in association with the Council of Europe, FEDRE has always focused on cross-border regions. In 2023, it formed a partnership with Crédit Agricole next bank to study the border effect in the regions surrounding Switzerland. Following Issue 1, which addressed food aid; Issue 2 , the challenges facing the healthcare sector; Issue 3, water; Issue 4, culture; Issue 5, unemployment benefits for cross-border workers; Issue 6, the concept of a cross-border resident card; the next issue on sustainable mobility in cross-border urban areas; Issue 8 dedicated to the European aspects of cross-border cooperation, Issue 9 to the diversity of tax systems for cross-border workers, Issue 10 to Switzerland’s specific approach to counting the unemployed, Issue 11 to sustainable transport planning in border agglomerations, Issue 12 to the contribution of culture to a shared identity, the 13th to the growing importance of cross-border phenomena, the 14th to the role of sports in cross-border relations, the 15th to democracy in cross-border regions, the 16th to cross-border forest resources, the 17th to cross-border workers’ associations, the 18th to the future of mobility in cross-border areas, the 19th to “Greater Geneva,” the 20th to agriculture in the Franco-Geneva region, the 21st to the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the 22nd comparing the experiences of Basel and Geneva, and here is the 23rd dedicated to cross-border tourism developments around Lake Geneva.
Tourists are not concerned with national or administrative borders; they want to explore natural and cultural sites. Tourist offices, on the other hand, are often tied to a specific area: a city, a group of municipalities, a department, a canton, or a region. It is essential that they coordinate with one another. Lake Geneva is a good example of what is currently taking shape in this area.
A major economic, cultural, and environmental issue
Tourism around Lake Geneva generates several billion francs in revenue each year and attracts more than ten million visitors. This makes it essential for the industry to organize itself at the regional level and for its stakeholders to coordinate their efforts.
Of course, we must combat overtourism. But when practiced in a reasonable and sustainable way, tourism helps raise awareness of a region’s cultural and natural treasures, showcase them, and view things from a perspective that transcends borders. Geneva, Montreux, Évian, Lausanne, and to a lesser extent Thonon, Vevey, and Yvoire are world-renowned destinations, as are Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, which can be seen in the distance. The ease of travel around the lake is an asset worth developing, and one can only regret the missing link represented by the former Tonkin line between Évian and Saint-Gingolph. Crossings on the magnificent white boats of the CGN are also an asset, but it is regrettable that the new agreement concluded between the Canton of Vaud and the French municipalities has led to a reduction in the number of connections, particularly between Lausanne and Thonon. As we can see, there is still work to be done.
Tourism stakeholders and tourist attractions are forming networks
Founded thirty years ago, the “Léman sans frontière” network (organized as an association) stands out as a unique model in Europe, bringing together cultural, heritage, and recreational institutions on both sides of the lake: these include the Compagnie de Navigation du Léman (CGN), the Servion Zoo, themed attractions such as Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey, museums (including the Palais Lumière in Évian, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, and the Pierre Gianadda Foundation in Martigny), tourist railways (such as the Montreux Bernese Oberland Railway or the Chablais Public Transport, for example), the Léman Express, castles and fortresses (Ripaille, Gruyères, Chillon…), leisure spots like the Aquaparc in Le Bouveret, and unusual, history-rich sites such as Fort des Rousses or the Bex salt mines…
In total, thirty-two members are featured in a widely distributed guide (more than six million copies since 1995). It is worth noting that eighteen museums in the City of Geneva have just joined together this year as the first collective member. The network also offers a personalized Pass Pro Tourisme sans frontière card issued to employees of association members, providing preferential access and benefits at participating tourist establishments. More information is available on their website.
With support from Interreg France-Switzerland, the Conseil du Léman (Ain, Haute-Savoie, Geneva, Vaud, Valais) launched the “Objectif Découverte Léman” initiative in 2020, drawing on the active participation of Lake Geneva tourism stakeholders listed in the directory published by this institution. These discussions led to the development of a project for the digital interconnection of data, involving the creation of a shared platform for the two major tourist information networks, Apidae in France and MyCity in Switzerland. Issues related to governance and the implementation of joint initiatives, along with their strengths and weaknesses, are also addressed within this framework.
Acteurs Tourisme Léman is a network of tourism stakeholders in the cross-border Lake Geneva region, supported by the Interreg France-Switzerland program. Their initiative builds on the work of the Lake Geneva Council and the Léman sans Frontière association. The lead partner on the French side is the Évian Tourist Office, and the partners are the Destination Léman Tourist Office and the Pays d’Évian et de la Vallée d’Abondance Tourist Office; The “lead partner” on the Swiss side is the Montreux International Tourism Forum (MITF), and the partners are the Geneva and Montreux Riviera tourism offices, as well as the Tourism Institute of the HES-SO in Valais. In addition to networking and engaging the community on market issues, clientele, and trends through seminars in the spring and the MITF in the fall, Acteurs Tourisme Léman is developing a Lake Geneva Tourism Observatory that goes far beyond simply counting overnight stays and provides data analysis, drawing on existing information while ensuring coordination and consistency.
We can only encourage tourism professionals—from all organizations—to collaborate and be active in these networks, for the sake of the harmonious development of tourism in the Lake Geneva region, to the benefit of all service providers and businesses, and of our region’s economy as a whole.