Concentration spatiale et intensité touristique des territoires

The distribution of tourist accommodation capacity (number of tourist beds) makes it possible to assess locally the potential pressures exerted on the environment due to the establishment of tourist infrastructure and activities practiced by tourists.

• In France, tourist accommodation capacity is largely concentrated on the coast and in mountain areas: in mainland France, coastal municipalities (as defined by coastal law, approximately 900 municipalities) account for 40% of tourist accommodation and mountain municipalities for nearly 30%. At the municipal level, Paris has the highest tourist accommodation capacity with over 700,000 tourist beds. Municipalities located in mountain areas, particularly in the Alps, also contain a significant share of tourist beds.

The tourism function rate (number of tourist beds per 100 inhabitants) is a tourism pressure indicator that quantifies the theoretical population multiplication during peak tourist season.

The tourism function rate impacts residents' quality of life and the adequacy of environmental services to handle population increases. Environmental pressures from load fluctuations are diverse: increased waste collection and treatment, heavy use of fragile natural habitats, energy consumption, air pollution from increased traffic, higher potable water demand, larger wastewater volume management, etc.

Mountain territories, often sparsely populated year-round, and coastal areas are particularly affected zones. The tourism function rate in these municipalities is notably high.

In coastal municipalities, mountain areas, and overseas departments, tourist density—the ratio between tourist beds and municipal area—is particularly high.

This high number of tourist beds per km² reflects pressure on land artificialisation. From an economic perspective, it also signals potential economic pressure on land values.