Metz Eurometropole is a top destination and an outstanding area which holds many labels and certifications.
All of these distinctions aim to reward the efforts and actions carried out various fields for the benefit of the city’s residents and visitors.
Metz Tourist Office was classed as category I by prefectoral decree on 14th November 2018.
The
category I Tourist Office is an entrepreneurial organisation whose
mission is to unite professionals and develop the tourist economy in its
area, which supports a large influx of national and international
tourists. The Tourist Office team speaks many languages.
It
implements promotional initiatives with a national or international
focus, and offers varied services designed to generate its own resources
and support a determined business policy. The use of information
technology has been mastered within the organisation.
The category I Tourist Office develops a targeted promotion policy
and implements tools for listening to the clientele in order to improve
the quality of the services offered, as well as those of its partners
working in the area. Its actions are part of an approach to promote
quality, with the aim of improving its services and overall performance.
Learn more about the Tourist Offices and their classification
The Qualité Tourisme™ brand was created in 2003, and is awarded to tourism professionals for the quality of their welcome and services.
By adhering to the label, professionals must respect the national quality commitments, particularly in the following areas: information and communication, personalised welcome, staff expertise, comfort, cleanliness and maintenance, promotion of local resources, consideration of customer opinions.
The Inspire Metz Agency - Tourist Office is part of the Tourisme et Handicap (Tourism and Disability) network
for the four types of disability, and has decided to strengthen its
social initiatives by raising public awareness of the right of access to
tourism for all.
It has one goal: to act effectively in order to facilitate the daily life of people with disabilities.
Various initiatives have been developed with this in mind:
The Tourisme et Handicaps association:
The Tourisme et Handicaps association aims to increase the awareness of tourism professionals and the public surrounding the receptions of people with disabilities in tourism and leisure spaces. It implements and manages plans which promote policies that support disabled access to tourism and leisure facilities.
Every year the association organises the Trophées du tourisme accessible (accessible tourism awards)
which highlight holiday and leisure facilities certified by the Marque
d’Etat Tourisme & Handicap (French Tourism & Disability Label)
as being accessible to all.
Learn more about the “Tourisme et Handicaps” (Tourism and Disability) association
Accueil Vélo (Cyclists Welcome) is a national brand that aims to encourage the development of cycling tourism by supporting local organisations.
It’s aimed at all types of tourist service providers that are located less than 5 km from a cycling or mountain biking route who wish to deliver an adapted service and the best welcome to cycling tourists (security, parking spaces, repair kit...).
Learn more about the “Accueil Vélo” (Cyclists Welcome) label
Inspire Metz agency commits to ISO 20121 certification
Metz Eurometropole is already known as the birthplace of urban ecology and 2019 host of the G7 Environment, Oceans and Energy, so it is natural that the agency Inspire Metz commits to ISO 20121. This international standard applies to hosting an ephemeral public, so it concerns the scope of the Convention Bureau and the Tourist Office.
Dedicated to responsible management systems, it specifies the requirements applicable to the events sector. The aim is to enable teams to adhere to the continuous improvement process and encourage the organisation of more sustainable events on its territory.
Inspire Metz has defined the guidelines of its sustainable development policy from economic, environmental, and societal perspectives: generating economic benefits by developing sustainable appeal for Metz Eurometropole; promoting responsible consumption; fighting against waste; making tourism a motor for inclusion etc.
This sustainable development policy is one of the founding acts towards implementing ISO 20121.
ISO 20121 certification is planned for spring 2022.
Metz has once again been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide 2022, as a site that is « worth the trip », the highest distinction awarded.
Michelin Green Guide stars are awarded based on nine criteria, debated and agreed on by a team of editors and writers. They are applied in the same manner to all of the sites visited, whatever the region, or country, creating a standard for Green Guide users.
9 criteria over 3 categories:
First impressions: felt during the site visit, notoriety, quality of heritage and quality of the visit
Heritage: labels, heritage or historical worth, beauty and aesthetic, authenticity and charm
Visit: quality of the welcome, enjoyment and comfort of the visit (arrangements, accessibility, maintenance)
Metz was classified as a “Station de Tourisme” by JO (journal officiel - official announcement) on 24.02.15.
This prestigious label rewards tourist areas that have created an excellent offer for tourists.
This renowned trademark was announced by the State after a meticulous study into the required qualities carried out by the Prefecture and then by the Ministry. It’s the result of action led by the City of Metz in various fields: promotion of heritage, cultural activities, quality of life, public transport, tourist information and accommodation, safety, hygiene, healthcare structure and even traffic and town planning.
Metz gained the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (French City of Art and History) label in
November 2011. This label was created by the Ministère de la Culture et
de la Communication (Ministry of Culture) in 1985 in order to develop a
policy that promoted and managed national heritage in partnership with
local authorities.
It is awarded to communes, inter-municipalities and areas that are aware of their architectural and heritage potential, and that adopt an active approach in favour of knowledge and mediation within the framework of a real political and cultural development plan.
Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (French City of Art and History)
Respecting the criteria of the “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” label, and conforming to Qualité Tourisme™ requirements, the Inspire Metz Agency - Metz Tourist Office commits to an approach that values and promotes Metz Eurometropole heritage by offering quality tours with qualified tour guides to both visitors and Metz residents.
Metz became a UNESCO City of Music on 30th October 2019 and joined the network of 246 UNESCO Creative Cities around the world.
In addition, it became the first French city to be a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities network in the music field.
This international recognition rewards Metz’s application, entitled “Music as a lever for education, training, communication and social inclusion”.
UNESCO
Creative Cities are committed to sharing their best practices and
placing culture at the heart of their development strategy.
Metz Eurometropole was awarded with the “Territoire Vélo” certification on 11th April 2019.
Metz Eurometropole gaining the Territoire Vélo label highlights its commitment to cycling. This label rewards the actions of areas who commit to the development of cycling tourism.
Cycling tourism is environmentally sustainable and accessible to many
people, while also offering new possibilities for development.
Combining tourism and cycling, two popular activities, cycling tourism
allows sites and landscapes to be discovered in a new way. In order to
facilitate and encourage this practice, a network of roads known as
véloroutes (cycling routes) and greenways have been developed in France
and Europe as a whole.
Organised by the Comité National des Villes et des Villages Fleuris (National Committee of the Towns and Villages in Bloom), this label promotes and encourages all actions in favour of green space development and improvement of quality of life.
Learn more about the Villes et Villages Fleuris (Towns and Villages in Bloom) label
The marina has been “Pavillon Bleu d’Europe” (European Blue Flag) certified since 2007. This label recognises and promotes towns that meet the excellence criteria for the overall management of their environment. The harbour master’s office in Metz marina was opened on 13.04.2012 and has 280 m² of services essential to the reception and comfort of its sailors.
The Pavillon Bleu eco label guarantees a good environmental quality
and encourages a general awareness towards a more respectful treatment
of nature and its treasures.
This label rewards areas which commit to fair trade and sustainable use.
The “Territoires de commerce équitable”
campaign also facilitates the creation of social links and meetings
with residents of all generations and social backgrounds.
This approach also invites local authorities to educate the public about
solidarity and sustainable development, the aim being to guide
residents towards sustainable use.
As part of its Agenda 21, Metz has set up initiatives to promote sustainable use in its area. It uses fair trade products in receptions, school canteen menus and in some of its markets. It also runs awareness campaigns with the public, school children and its partners around fair trade issues.
Learn more about the “Territoires de commerce équitable” (Fair trade areas) label
