Geoffrey Branger, edited by Laura Laplaud 1:59 p.m., June 13, 2022

The Assembly of Corsica has adopted the establishment of annual quotas, in particular on the Lavezzi islands of the Bouches de Bonifacio, in Corse-du-Sud, to manage the number of tourists.

These islands, which see 180,000 holidaymakers each summer, will now welcome 200,000 tourists over four years.

Two other emblematic sites of Corsica are concerned.

Overtourism has been affecting Corsica for years: millions of French and foreign vacationers flock to enjoy the Isle of Beauty and this is sometimes done to the detriment of the environment.

To preserve the places most popular with visitors, the Assembly of Corsica has adopted a report providing for the establishment of annual quotas to manage tourist numbers.

This measure will be in place from the summer of 2022.

200,000 visitors maximum in four years

Among the places affected by this new measure, the site of Bavella, Restonica, and the Lavezzi Islands, which alone have 180,000 holidaymakers each summer on their two square kilometers of land.

The new measures of the Scientific Council of the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve thus provide for a maximum of 200,000 visitors between 2022 and 2026. The objective: to protect the environment of Corsica.

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According to the Office of the Environment of Corsica, "we must ensure a sustainable economic and tourist activity by regulating the flow of holidaymakers".

To access these sites, it will therefore be necessary to make a reservation from the summer of 2022.

But one point of the device is still debated: should priority be given to Corsican residents?

A test will be carried out in July to avoid any slippage of discrimination, but the question of the legality of this measure may arise.

For the moment, only three sites are concerned by the quotas but the elected nationalists wish to go further: the mythical GR20 is also in the crosshairs.

It is possible that the tourist flow of this trail, which is experiencing record attendance, will be regulated in the coming years.