France cements position as the world’s most popular destination
Latest flight booking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and its knowledge partner ForwardKeys has France set to keep its pole position as the world’s most popular destination for international arrivals this year.
The research reveals a positive outlook for France's inbound travel, with arrivals set to almost reach pre-pandemic highs this year. At a Destination France event in Chantilly, and hosted by President Macron, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, praised France for its steely focus in recognizing the economic and cultural value travel and tourism brings in jobs and contribution to GDP.
According to latest analysis from WTTC and ForwardKeys, the leading travel data and analytics company, international arrivals in France for the first half of 2024 are at 93% of the same period in 2019, with France cementing its position as the world’s most popular destination.
International arrivals to France are surging in the first half of this year, providing a welcome boost to the sector, which, at its peak, contributed €220 billion to the national economy. The country’s travel and tourism businesses support 2.7 million livelihoods.
“France's commitment to travel and tourism is not just reflected in the impressive data, but in the unwavering efforts of the government,” Simpson said. “President Macron recognizes the real value travel and tourism brings to France in terms of the economy, jobs and its standing on the world stage. His support has ensured France remains the world’s most popular destination.”
Research also shows that airlines are ramping up their capacity to match the growing demand from around the world, with the number of seats set to surpass 2019 levels this year.
Olivier Ponti, Vice President Insights at ForwardKeys, added, “With flight bookings on the rise and air carriers set to introduce a record number of seats, France enters 2024 in a strong position. “Capitalizing on the successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and on the growing exposure provided by the upcoming Olympic Games, the country is set to be one of most thought-after destinations this year for both regional and long-haul markets.”
This rise in passenger capacity is led by Orly Airport, with an increase of 28%, reaching nearly 8 million. Charles de Gaulle remains the busiest airport in France, to reach 18.5 million in the first six months of 2024, just 3% below 2019 levels. Paris is the world’s most powerful city destination. According to accommodation data from WTTC Knowledge Partner, CoStar, occupancy rates in the French capital reached above 2019 level in the first half of 2023 for over half of hotel classes. In 2024, other French cities are also going to be popular attractions for foreign visitors. Nice is among the top-performing European cities, with international arrivals expected to reach 94% of pre-pandemic levels.
France as a destination is becoming increasingly popular amongst Spanish and Canadian travellers, with international arrivals exceeding 2019 levels by more than 64% and 54%, respectively. Irish and South Korean travellers are also returning to France, with visitor numbers up from 2019 levels by 19% and 16%, respectively. Travellers to France are also spending more money, with bookings of premium cabins witnessing a surge of 21% compared to pre-pandemic levels in the first half of the year.
Last year, WTTC's Economic Impact Research (EIR) revealed that the French travel and tourism sector is expected to grow at an average of 3% annually over the next decade, twice the 1.5% annual growth rate of the country’s overall economy, to reach more than €297 billion (9.7% of the total economy). The forecast also revealed the sector is expected to create more than 555,000 jobs in the next 10 years, averaging nearly 56,000 new jobs every year, reaching nearly 3.3 million employed within the sector by 2033.
