Lighting and electrical equipment

We use LEDs and energy-saving light bulbs for our lighting We have adopted energy-saving practices We switch off electrical equipment – PCs, photocopiers and power strips – outside opening hours We use the eco-friendly search engine Ecosia The lighting is switched on only when necessary and switched off when the Tourist Office is closed If staff are away from their workstations for an extended period during the day, we systematically switch off our computers We adjust the lighting according to the seasons and weather conditions We check the room temperature before using the heating or air conditioning. The heating is switched on when the room temperature is below 21°C. The air conditioning is switched on when the room temperature is above 26°C We do not include email signatures in internal emails to reduce file size Where possible, we purchase second-hand equipment. We prioritise the use of Teams for internal communication rather than sending energy-intensive emails We prefer telephone calls to video calls.

We only carry out printing when necessary We prioritise double-sided printing to minimise the amount we print We recycle printed documents for our in-house printing We manage our stock levels in line with visitor demand. We work with printers that hold eco-labels (PEFC and Imprim Vert) We encourage visitors to view the Tourist Office’s publications on the Tourist Office website rather than receiving paper copies, by scanning a QR code available in the reception area and on an outdoor sign. We encourage visitors to download our publications from the Tourist Office website or to receive the requested information by email rather than having it sent automatically by post We post our mail at the ‘Lettre Verte’ rate (more economical and environmentally friendly, lower CO₂ emissions, delivery within 48 hours) We transport our publications to trade fairs to minimise postage costs

We sell items sourced mainly from local producers and craftspeople.

We encourage car-sharing and the use of public transport when attending meetings and taking part in external activities. We limit travel for staff members living outside the urban area. They are entitled to at least one day of remote working per week. We encourage visitors to use public transport or cycle

Selective sorting and waste management

We sort recyclable materials (cardboard, paper, plastic) in-house and place them in the designated bins located 50 metres away on Boulevard Anatole France We have installed an outdoor ash bin which collects cigarette ends and converts them into fuel for energy production We collect used batteries and small battery packs We prioritise the purchase of eco-friendly products We use reusable water bottles or small bottles which we refill as often as we like We provide dog waste bags on request We have fitted aerators to the taps in the Tourist Office premises to reduce water usage Where possible, we purchase refurbished equipment.

Our commitments | La Ciotat Tourist Office

Category 1

Tourist Information Centres are classified into different categories based on the size of the area they cover, visitor numbers and the range of services they offer.

Category I is the highest category for a tourist information centre; it denotes a large-scale, high-quality tourist information centre, and that’s exactly what we have in La Ciotat!

View the charter

Labels

Labels are certifications issued by the French government to recognise the quality of the services and facilities offered by Tourist Information Offices. These labels are based on a set of specific criteria defined by the Ministry of Tourism.

For our part, the Tourist Office has renewed its ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ label in 2025 (valid for 5 years). This label is awarded to Tourist Offices that have put in place facilities and services adapted for people with disabilities.

Tourism and Disability brochure

Tourism and Disability Video

Tourism and Disability Association

Tourism quality commitments

Better welcome, better advice, better satisfaction

La Ciotat Tourist Office has been awarded the Quality Tourism label. As such, it undertakes to :

Looking after the environment

Maintaining a pleasant reception area

Keeping the premises and surrounding area clean

Understanding and anticipating everyone's expectations

Provide a fast, efficient telephone service

Facilitate visitor access with appropriate signage and accessibility

Adapt opening hours

Communicating clear and precise information

Provide clear, reliable and up-to-date tourist information

Provide detailed information on the services on offer in the destination

Treat every visitor as a guest

Deal with each visitor as soon as they arrive

Dealing with unforeseen requests by offering alternative solutions

Limiting waiting time

Guarantee a high level of visitor satisfaction

Personalising your welcome according to the type of customer

Meet the needs expressed by each visitor by listening appropriately

Facilitating contact with foreign-speaking visitors

Meet the specific needs of visitors with disabilities

Measuring and improving reception quality

Gather visitor feedback and take it into account

Carry out regular in-house assessments of reception quality

Take the necessary steps to improve reception quality

Work in synergy with the bodies responsible for tourism in our sector: Comité Régional du Tourisme PACA – Provence Tourisme, etc.

Destination of Excellence Commitments

Towards more responsible, sustainable and exemplary tourism.

Created by the government and managed by Atout France, this label recognises organisations that are committed to continuously improving the quality of their hospitality and services, whilst strengthening their efforts towards sustainable development, accessibility and social responsibility.

Read our policy on sustainable development and social responsibility

This approach is based on two complementary pillars:

The quality of hospitality and services: listening to visitors, providing reliable information, ensuring the professionalism of our teams and continuously improving customer satisfaction;

Environmental responsibility: reducing environmental impacts, the prudent management of resources, accessibility for all and contributing to more sustainable tourism.

As part of its application for the ‘Destination d’Excellence’ label, the La Ciotat Tourist Office is implementing a number of initiatives aimed at:

continuously improve the quality of its services;

promote environmentally friendly tourism;

promote sustainable transport and best practice amongst visitors;

make tourist information more accessible;

raise awareness amongst its partners of the challenges of sustainable tourism.

This initiative is fully in line with the aim of making La Ciotat a welcoming, responsible and sustainable destination for both visitors and residents. To find out more about the ‘Destination d’Excellence’ scheme, visit the official website

Sustainable development

Lighting and electrical equipment
We use LEDs and energy-saving light bulbs for our lighting
We have adopted energy-saving practices
We switch off electrical equipment – PCs, photocopiers and power strips – outside opening hours
We use the eco-friendly search engine Ecosia
The lighting is switched on only when necessary and switched off when the Tourist Office is closed
If staff are away from their workstations for an extended period during the day, we systematically switch off our computers
We adjust the lighting according to the seasons and weather conditions
We check the room temperature before using the heating or air conditioning. The heating is switched on when the room temperature is below 21°C. The air conditioning is switched on when the room temperature is above 26°C
We do not include email signatures in internal emails to reduce file size
Where possible, we purchase second-hand equipment.
We prioritise the use of Teams for internal communication rather than sending energy-intensive emails
We prefer telephone calls to video calls.
Paper management
We only carry out printing when necessary
We prioritise double-sided printing to minimise the amount we print
We recycle printed documents for our in-house printing
We manage our stock levels in line with visitor demand.
We work with printers that hold eco-labels (PEFC and Imprim Vert)
We encourage visitors to view the Tourist Office’s publications on the Tourist Office website rather than receiving paper copies, by scanning a QR code available in the reception area and on an outdoor sign.
We encourage visitors to download our publications from the Tourist Office website or to receive the requested information by email rather than having it sent automatically by post
We post our mail at the ‘Lettre Verte’ rate (more economical and environmentally friendly, lower CO₂ emissions, delivery within 48 hours)
We transport our publications to trade fairs to minimise postage costs
Shop
Travel
Selective sorting and waste management
We sort recyclable materials (cardboard, paper, plastic) in-house and place them in the designated bins located 50 metres away on Boulevard Anatole France
We have installed an outdoor ash bin which collects cigarette ends and converts them into fuel for energy production
We collect used batteries and small battery packs
We prioritise the purchase of eco-friendly products
We use reusable water bottles or small bottles which we refill as often as we like
We provide dog waste bags on request
We have fitted aerators to the taps in the Tourist Office premises to reduce water usage
Where possible, we purchase refurbished equipment.