Les chances et les risques du tourisme dans les régions suisses de moyenne montagne / The opportunities and risks of tourism in the Swiss mid-altitude

The opportunities and risks of tourism in the Swiss mid-altitude mountain areas. It is generally accepted that a sound regional tou- rism policy should be based on the principle of a market economy, which is a pre-requisite for the long- term viability of economic activities, and should aim at qualitative growth, respecting as far as possible both the natural and socio-cultural environment. In Switzerland in general, and in the Gruyère region in particular, tourism policy is shaped by three levels of government. At the federal level exists a Swiss concept of tourism (1979), at the level of the cantons, there is legislation concerning the promotion and operation of the tourism sector (1990) and, finally, for the region itself, the planning, development and installation of tourist facilities are the responsibility of an association (1978), set up as part of the LIM system. This association has the advantage of ensuring a more direct and more democratic approach to tourism development. Between 1960 and 1990, regional tourism was one of the factors which contributed to the development of the Gruyère region. However, the results obtained in Gruyère cannot be generalised to every mid-altitude mountain area of Switzerland, or of any other country. Considerable care must be taken in such an exercise. Given the complexity of the factors involved, and their interdependence, it seems advisable to recommend as many communal programmes and measures as possible for such areas and as many specific actions as appear necessary. The mid-altitude mountain areas, which are worthy of separate study, enjoy unique opportunities for tourism development on the one hand, but they are also exposed to special risks

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