France continues to be the world’s top destination for international tourists, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). In the first half of 2024, data from WTTC and its partner ForwardKeys indicated that France will record 93 per cent of international arrivals at 2019 levels, generating €220 billion for the national economy.
The increase in foreign arrivals is set to benefit Travel & Tourism businesses throughout the country and support 2.7 million livelihoods. President Macron’s support for the economic and cultural significance of Travel & Tourism in job creation and GDP contribution has ensured that France remains the world’s most popular destination, as highlighted by the WTTC at the Destination France event in Chantilly.
WTTC further pointed out that Paris remains the world’s most powerful city destination, with over half of the hotel classes in the French capital exceeding their 2019 occupancy levels. Additionally, other French cities are becoming attractive destinations for international tourists.
In general terms, France has become a popular destination, especially among tourists from Spain, Canada, Ireland, and South Korea. With an increase in international arrivals, airlines are increasing capacity to meet global demand, expecting seat numbers to exceed 2019 levels this year.
Oliver Ponti, Vice President of Insights at ForwardKeys, noted that France started 2024 in a strong position, capitalizing on the successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and the growing exposure provided by the upcoming Olympic Games. Orly Airport in Paris experienced a 28 per cent rise in passenger capacity, reaching about eight million.
Last year, WTTC’s research forecasted the French Travel & Tourism sector to increase at three per cent annually over the next decade and reach over €297 billion (9.7 per cent of the total economy). WTTC further projected that the travel and tourism sector would generate 56,000 jobs annually, reaching approximately 3.3 million employed within the sector by 2033. France is definitely a go-to destination for travelers looking for an amazing experience.
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