Why FAB?
Visitors in France in 2022, representing a 25% increase from 2019
Establishments open for visits in France, up from 2,000 in three years
Of sites offer on-site shops or product selections
A Global Movement
In countries with long manufacturing traditions (Germany, France, Japan, United Kingdom), industrial tourism continues to grow each year. This category of tourism is spreading across continents, from North America to Southeast Asia.
Modern Appeal
Industrial heritage discovery, urban exploration, environmental consciousness for more local and sustainable tourism, search for new experiences, authenticity, and transparency - all these current phenomena and trends combine in the enthusiasm for this unfiltered tourism. It attracts all categories of the population, from children who aren't always excited about visiting "old stones" to people simply curious about a place, a setting, a craft, or the little manufacturing secrets of a passion product...
Business Impact
For companies that open their doors to visitors, the advantages are also numerous: showcasing expertise and production processes, changing perceptions about a product, industry, or profession, attracting future candidates for recruitment-challenged activities, and developing new revenue through visits and product sales.
Proven ROI
The benefits of industrial tourism are well documented. In Canada, according to a reference audit conducted by Rio Tinto on opening their ilmenite mine near Lake Tio to visitors, 1 dollar invested in tourist reception brings back, on average, 30 times more! This remarkable return on investment demonstrates the untapped potential of industrial tourism.
With his paternal background in industry, from foundry to drug production, Gabriel has always had a taste for factories, production lines, kilometers of colored pipes, and casual scents. He eventually took the path of communication, co-founding a media outlet and creative agency between Lyon, Paris, and Montreal, while always remaining on the lookout for alternative paths. The FAB project articulates memories and long views, old machines and contemporary imagery, tradition and commitment to responsible, circular, and local tourism.
A born entrepreneur and polyglot technologist, Xavier brings to FAB his unique experience in the startup world and his passion for innovation. Previously a Co-Founder of SmartHalo, a company that marketed innovative solutions for urban cyclists in over 90 countries. This entrepreneurial adventure led him to establish partnerships with major players like Apple. His vision of industrial tourism perfectly aligns with FAB's DNA: making the behind-the-scenes of innovation and production accessible and understandable while creating bridges between manufacturing tradition and emerging technologies.