18 Comments
User's avatar
Bain's avatar

Thanks a lot for this article. Seeing these pictures with my father and grandfather really makes me happy. I hope you will come back to enjoy our beautiful region. This story will continue as long as family will be there to perpetuate it.

Time goes by and we have so many stories to tell, it is a pleasure to see that you have been touched by our journey. We wish you the best,

Thanks again

Clément Bain

Kay Walten's avatar

Clement I have a follow up story coming. I am happy to support you and your family who show what true hospitality and passion! Congratulations to all you do!

Mauricio Prieto's avatar

What a great story. You transported me there. Thank you!

Kay Walten's avatar

@mprieto hey thanks, it was a very cool find. Enjoy the weekend!

Indrani Goradia's avatar

Makes me want to go there for a chat and ice-cream. What stories they must have! I hope you write to the tourist bureau to say

Tut tut tut quelle dommage, you missed the mark here!

Kay Walten's avatar

I will send them an email with the link, great idea!

Gene Brothers's avatar

Kay, you are describing a "People-First Tourism" experience and you have also identified how DMOs are missing out on promoting experiences which travelers are seeking. P1t has documented in our research that a lmitation of the P1t AI protocol is that authentic storytelling, producers, and makers which could provide a destination with a competive edge, don't have a voice on the internet. In our opinion, DMOs need to be educated on how to identify, organize, support, and bring the community into the tourism promotions as official offerings.

Kay Walten's avatar

Gene, the visibility problem is the whole thing. I chase these stories down when I travel because they are the reason a place is worth stopping in, and most of the people telling them have never been written up anywhere. I'd love to see your research or have a call sometime.

Gene Brothers's avatar

Kay, I thought I sent you a reply but couldn't find it. So, excuse me if this a repeat. Duarte and I used our P1t AI protocol for two recent trips.. Our findings and comments are in our most recent Substack post. What would be a convenient date and time for a Google Meet?

Kay Walten's avatar

Gene yeah let’s meet. I will DM you. We are connected on LinkedIn too

Patrick Lindbichler's avatar

Great story, I knew Verdon because of the rafting. Now I know rhe real gem. Thanks for that one!

Kay Walten's avatar

Patrick, it is a haven for outdoor sports!

Gene Brothers's avatar

To policy makers "It is the economy stupid." For tourism development and tourist experiences "It is the people stupid." People-First Tourism choices should always be the rule.

Kay Walten's avatar

Exactly. And the people who hold the story of a place are usually the ones nobody put in the brochure. Thanks for reading!

Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

How sweet life is when you amble through the garden. Good one, Kay.

Kay Walten's avatar

Thanks @Jeanine Kitchel I love unusual finds.

Martin Rosenberg's avatar

What an adventure from nothing. This is what true and deep travel is about.

But I can't believe there's no mention of the history of the hotel in a guide book.

Kay Walten's avatar

I want to go back with questions, and learn more. What started as just a stop for a bite, became a memory and a story I will tell anytime people ask about my time in France. Just the tidbit of info about the hotel's history would make anyone's stop special.