Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge

What Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge does

The Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge is a French public tourism office (Établissement Public Industriel et Commercial, or EPIC) operating as the official destination marketing and visitor services organization for the Saintes and Saintonge territory in Charente-Maritime, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is supervised by the Communauté d'Agglomération de Saintes and registered with Atout France under IM017190004 (SIRET 85311298500017). The organization was founded in 2019 and operates with a 7-person team under Director Laëtitia Seguin. Its core offering spans visitor information, ticketing, guided tours, river cruises, gift vouchers and a locally sourced souvenir boutique, delivered through a physical visitor center at 2 avenue Gambetta, Saintes, a trilingual website (www.saintes-tourisme.fr), a dedicated ticketing platform (billetterie.saintes-tourisme.fr) and seasonal mobile counseling points in Chaniers, Saint-Louis market square and Saint-Pierre market.

The underlying technology stack centers on a content-and-commerce web platform (designed by Studio Goliath, maintained by DN Consultants, hosted by Data 17 and Proximit), a third-party Loopi-Vélo route-planning module for cycling and hiking, and standard email-marketing and analytics tooling. Product inventory includes electro-solar river cruises aboard the Bernard Palissy III (€14–€30 typical adult pricing), guided tours of Gallo-Roman and Romanesque heritage, treasure hunts (La Quête d'Antonin, Mission Aqueduc), gift vouchers, and a souvenir boutique carrying approximately 50 SKUs sourced from local producers (Pineau, Cognac, craft beer, Galette Charentaise, honey, candles, vintage posters and branded merchandise under the "Le Bonheur c'est si Saintes" territory brand). The office holds Marque Qualité Tourisme, Accueil Vélo (since October 2018), and Classement Catégorie I, and is pursuing the Tourisme & Handicap label across four disability categories.

The business model is a hybrid of transaction commissions, retail margin and public subsidy. The office earns percentage commissions on tickets sold through its infrastructure for third-party event organizers (festivals, museums, abbeys, performers) and on partner tourism services, with no set-up fee charged. Direct tour, cruise and workshop sales generate unit-priced revenue. Group reservations carry a 30% deposit at signing with balance due 15 days before service and tiered cancellation fees. The souvenir boutique generates retail margin on ~50 local SKUs. The bulk of activity is concentrated May–September, when 53,800 physical visitors were served in 2023; the office also runs a press service (Amandine Tonin) supporting destination media coverage. Customer segments span individual leisure and heritage tourists, cycling and hiking tourists on Flow Vélo and La Vélodyssée, group tour operators, activity/event providers seeking ticketing infrastructure, media professionals, and disabled visitors and their families.

Name

Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge

Legal name

Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge

Website

https://saintes-tourisme.fr

Company type

Public

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge is a French public tourism office (EPIC) providing visitor information, ticketing, guided tours, electro-solar river cruises and souvenir retail for the Saintes and Saintonge territory in Charente-Maritime, serving individual leisure tourists, cycling visitors, groups, and local activity providers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tourism Services

NAICS

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Museum & Landmark Guided Tours (Skip-the-line/Docent-led) (THAJAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

Keywords

• Destination tourism services
• Visitor information center
• Guided heritage tours
• Online ticket booking
• Local product souvenirs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saintes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tourism services and activity bookings: The office sells tourism services including guided tours, cruises, workshops, and activities either directly or through partner providers. Prices are quoted inclusive of all taxes (TTC) and commissions are earned on partner services sold.
2. Ticketing service for event organizers: Provides ticketing infrastructure to third-party event organizers. Revenue generated through percentage-based commission on tickets sold. Set-up and opening of ticketing is free; organizers pay only a percentage on sold tickets.
3. Souvenir boutique retail sales: Operates a physical souvenir shop at the tourist office selling local products (Pineau, Cognac, biscuits, honey, candles, soaps, books, games, posters, magnets, postcards, branded merchandise). Retail margin on products sourced from local producers.
4. Reservations and service fees: Handles reservations for groups and individuals. Payment terms include 30% deposit at signing, balance due 15 days before (30 days for accommodation). Late booking fees apply for reservations within 15 days of service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge is the official public tourism office (EPIC) for the Saintes and Saintonge territory, providing visitor information, online and on-site ticketing for tours, cruises, shows, and activities, a souvenir boutique of local products, guided tours of Gallo-Roman and Romanesque heritage sites, river cruises on the electro-solar boat Bernard Palissy III, and ticketing infrastructure for third-party event organizers. It serves as the single authoritative gateway for destination discovery, trip planning, and bookings across the Charente-Maritime region.

Product overview

Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge operates as a multi-channel tourism promotion and services entity. Its core digital presence consists of www.saintes-tourisme.fr (general tourism portal) and billetterie.saintes-tourisme.fr (dedicated ticketing platform), which together enable visitors to discover the destination, plan stays, and purchase tickets for activities, tours, and cruises. The office also operates a physical visitor center at 2 avenue Gambetta with free WiFi access, a 100% local products gift shop, a billeting service for third-party event organizers (with over 10,000 tickets sold in 2023), and a dedicated press/media relations service. Key tourism offerings include guided tours of Gallo-Roman heritage sites, river cruises aboard the electro-solar boat Bernard Palissy III, the Flow Vélo cycling route, treasure hunts/treasure trails, and local vineyard visits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Saintes-Tourisme.fr Tourism Portal Official tourism information portal for Saintes and the Saintonge region, offering destination discovery, stay planning (accommodation, activities, restaurants), event agenda, downloadable brochures, newsletter signup, and accessibility information. Available in French and English.
• Billetterie Saintes-Tourisme.fr Ticketing Platform Online ticketing platform for purchasing tickets to cruises, guided tours, shows, festivals, tourist sites, treasure hunts, and children's workshops. Also offers gift vouchers for visits and leisure activities. Available online and at the physical visitor center.
• Physical Visitor Center On-site visitor center at 2 avenue Gambetta, Saintes, offering in-person information, brochures, free WiFi, ticket sales, and a souvenir boutique. Open 7 days/week May-September and 6 days/week the rest of the year. Also serves as mobile counselor deployment base for July-August outreach at Chaniers, Saint-Louis market square, and Saint-Pierre market.
• Bernard Palissy III River Cruises (Croisières sur la Charente) Electro-solar boat cruises along the Charente River, including afternoon cruises (from 14.00€ adult), discovery cruises with restaurant lunch (from 30.00€), family cruises (53.00€ for 2 adults + 2 children), and relaxation cruises with free stop at Chaniers (from 15.00€). Departures from Saintes toward Chaniers and Pont d'Envaux.
• La Quête d'Antonin Treasure Hunt A treasure hunt game through the streets of Saintes' historic center, comprising 20 game cards and a response sheet, mailed free within 1-5 days of order. Priced at 10.00€ per game. For visitors exploring the 2,000-year history of Saintes.
• Guided Tours (Visites Guidées) Guided tours of historic sites and monuments, including Roman arenas, Saint-Eutrope church, the Maison des Aqueducs, and themed visits such as La Pierre de Saintonge, L'Aéroclub de Saintes, and company/vineyard tours. Private guided tour of Saintes priced at 120.00€; Gallo-Roman Aqueduct tour 14.00€ adult / 10.00€ child 8-17 / free up to 7 years.
• Gift Vouchers (Bons Cadeaux) Gift vouchers (bons cadeaux) for leisure activities, tours, cruises, small electric train rides, and workshops. Available at the visitor center counter and through the online boutique. For individuals seeking gift experiences.
• Ticketing Service for Event Organizers Ticketing service offered to event organizers, concert promoters, workshop leaders, and activity providers to sell tickets through the office's physical counter and online platform. Free setup; revenue generated through percentage-based commission on tickets sold. Over 10,000 tickets sold in 2023 across 14 pages of ticketing listings.
• Souvenir Boutique (La Boutique de l'Office de Tourisme) Souvenir shop at the visitor center and online offering approximately 50 locally sourced products including Pineau, Cognac, craft beers (La 17), Galette Charentaise, honey, herbal candy, artisan soaps, vintage posters (A3: 15€, 40x60 cm: 30€), guidebooks, postcards, magnets, branded merchandise, and Cognac/Pineau from local producers.
• Press Service (Relations Presse) Dedicated press service for journalists providing press dossiers, press releases, visual assets, press trips, and media library access. Led by press contact Amandine Tonin ([email protected]). Digital press kit hosted on Calaméo platform for media coverage of Saintes and the Saintonge destination.
• La Maison des Aqueducs Gallo-Romains New interpretation center (opening April 2026) located in an old water mill in Vénérand, featuring films, models, and explanatory displays about the route and construction techniques of the Roman aqueduct system spanning 14 km. Guided tours sold through the office at 14.00€ adult / 10.00€ child 8-17 / free for children up to 7 years.
• Loopi Cycling and Hiking Route Platform Dedicated Loopi platform for hiking and cycling route planning and navigation in the Saintonge territory, accessible via the website. Includes routes along the Flow Vélo and La Vélodyssée national veloroutes. For cycling and walking tourists.

Quantifiable outcome

• 53,800 visitors served at the physical office between May-September 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Communauté d'Agglomération de SaintescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe agglomeration community of Saintes is a key institutional partner supporting tourism development and promotion of the destination through joint communication and information sharing.
• Commune de SaintescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Saintes collaborates on tourism promotion and shares resources for the destination marketing and visitor services.
• Charentes TourismecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe departmental tourism agency provides regional tourism promotion, marketing support, and coordination across the Charentes territory. Also referenced as the professional space for tourism data.
• Département de la Charente-MaritimecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe departmental council provides institutional support and funding for tourism development in the territory.
• Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine - Nouvelle Organisation Touristique des TerritoirescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional council supports tourism development through the Nouvelle Organisation Touristique des Territoires program, providing funding and strategic direction.
• Communauté Européenne - Programme LeaderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Leader program supporting the redesign of the tourist office reception area ('Agencement du nouvel accueil de l'Office de Tourisme').
• Mona TourismeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMona Tourism provides national-level tourism marketing and platform services for the French tourism network.
• Fédération nationale des organismes institutionnels de Tourisme (ADN Tourisme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation of institutional tourism organizations providing network resources, standards, and best practices for the tourist office network in France.
• Event organizers and activity providers (ticketing partners)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal event organizers, spectacle producers, workshop leaders, and activity providers who sell tickets through the tourist office's ticketing infrastructure. The office handles payment processing, customer service, and promotional visibility while partners provide the actual activities or events. Ticketing listed across 14 pages of offerings.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Office de Tourisme de Cognac: EPIC tourism office for the Cognac territory, also in Charente, marketing similar heritage, gastronomy (Cognac, Pineau), and river assets. Comparable in scale, structure, and customer segments.
• Office de Tourisme de La Rochelle: Neighboring EPIC tourism office in Charente-Maritime operating visitor center, ticketing platform, and guided tours for the La Rochelle destination. Directly comparable in legal structure (EPIC under Atout France), service mix, and regional catchment.
• Office de Tourisme de Royan: EPIC tourism office for the Royan-Atlantic coast destination in Charente-Maritime. Comparable structure and service mix (visitor center, ticketing, guided tours) with a coastal rather than heritage-river anchor.
• Office de Tourisme d'Angoulême: EPIC tourism office in neighboring Charente offering heritage tours, ticketing, and visitor services. Comparable in service model, scale, and target segments (cultural/heritage tourists).
• Office de Tourisme de Rochefort: EPIC tourism office in Charente-Maritime operating visitor services, ticketing, and guided tours along the Charente maritime corridor. Same public-establishment model and overlapping visitor base.

Others

• ADN Tourisme: National federation of French institutional tourism organizations. The Saintes office is a member; ADN provides standards, benchmarking, and network resources that directly shape the office's operating model.

Emerging players

• Viator (Tripadvisor): Global marketplace for tours and experiences with strong presence in France. Comparable distribution channel for guided tours and cruises and a relevant benchmark for the office's online ticketing economics.
• Tiqets: Online ticketing platform specializing in museums and attractions. Provides a model and potential partner/distribution channel for Saintes-area museums (Paléosite, Musée de l'Echevinage) currently ticketed via the office.
• GetYourGuide: Global online marketplace for tours, activities, and attractions. Competes for digital booking share of Saintes-area experiences (cruises, tours) and represents both a partner opportunity and a competitive threat.

Regional players

• Charentes Tourisme: Departmental tourism agency that coordinates and promotes tourism across the Charente and Charente-Maritime territories. Acts as the umbrella organization supporting the Saintes office and a strategic institutional partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/saintestourisme
• Instagraminstagram.com/saintestourisme
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/office-de-tourisme-de-saintes-et-de-la-saintonge

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Office de Tourisme de Saintes et de la Saintonge