GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

French Tourism Statistics: Market Report & Data

Highlights: French Tourism Statistics

  • In 2019, France was visited by around 90 million foreign tourists, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world.
  • Approximately 60% of tourists visiting France come from other European countries.
  • In the fourth quarter of 2020, 17 million overnight stays in hotels were recorded in Metropolitan France.
  • Ile-de-France was the most popular region in France for tourism in 2019, attracting over 50 million tourists.
  • The Louvre, in Paris, is the world's most visited museum, welcoming approximately 10.2 million visitors in 2018.
  • The Eiffel Tower had approximately 6.7 million visitors in 2019.
  • Number of tourist accommodation establishments in 2020 in France was around 288,921.
  • France's tourist spending was expected to decrease by 41% in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • In 2018, France recorded 438 million nights spent by foreign tourists.
  • 50% of tourism in France is concentrated in 12% of its municipalities.
  • In 2019, the average length of a foreign tourist's stay in France was 6.6 days.
  • In 2019, the region of Occitanie generated around 12 billion euros from tourism expenditure.

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Welcome to our latest exploration into the fascinating world of statistics. In this post, we delve into the ebbs and flows of French Tourism, a sector that has perennially been a massive contributor to France’s economy. Armed with data, we’ll go beyond the mere visitor numbers, exploring deeper trends, patterns, and subtleties that shape the French tourism landscape, from Paris’s iconic landmarks to the idyllic rural vineyards. Industry experts, tourists, and those with a keen interest for insightful numbers, buckle up for an insightful journey into the heart of French Tourism Statistics.

The Latest French Tourism Statistics Unveiled

In 2019, France was visited by around 90 million foreign tourists, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Unveiling the allure of France as a global hotspot, the statistic uncovers an astounding 90 million international tourists gracing French soil in 2019, underscoring its reputation as the world’s premier tourist destination. Threaded into the rich tapestry of French tourism statistics, this detail serves as vibrant proof of the country’s indisputable charm. From the gustatory delights of its world-renowned cuisine, the breath-taking architectural splendours to the inviting riviera, visualized through these staggering figures, France’s magnetism is laid bare, offering invaluable insights for those investigating tourism trends, market influences and destination appeal. Painted with this stark numerical brushstroke, one can appreciate not only the scale of France’s international draw but also understand the myriad factors contributing to its unrivalled standing in the global arena.

Approximately 60% of tourists visiting France come from other European countries.

Sharpening the focus on the vibrant palette of French tourism statistics, the nugget that about 60% of tourists in France are from other European countries offers fascinating insights. It underscores the allure and magnetic appeal of France, not just globally, but more significantly within the European landscape. This figure not only emphasizes France’s strategic geographic location, convenience, and connectivity in Europe, but also mirrors the captivating cultural affinity shared across this diverse yet interconnected continent. In essence, this numeric revelation is instrumental in shaping targeted tourism strategies, fostering regional ties, and unlocking avenues for customized European-centric offerings within the ever charismatic heart of France.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, 17 million overnight stays in hotels were recorded in Metropolitan France.

The statistic ‘In the fourth quarter of 2020, 17 million overnight stays in hotels were recorded in Metropolitan France’ paints a vibrant picture of France’s resilient tourism industry amidst a year of worldwide upheaval. This noteworthy figure underscores how, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, France maintains its position as a coveted destination in the global landscape. Those millions of overnight stays embody a flurry of economic activity, serving as a lifeline for a sector deeply impacted by global travel restrictions, and offering a beacon of hope for rapid recovery. In essence, this statistic symbolizes France’s enduring appeal and resilience in a volatile tourism market.

Ile-de-France was the most popular region in France for tourism in 2019, attracting over 50 million tourists.

This compelling statistic serves as an illustrious beacon, highlighting the magnetic allure of Ile-de-France, France’s most frequented region for tourism in 2019. Astoundingly, it drew an audience of over 50 million tourists, a fact that paints a vivid picture of its tourism landscape, projecting the vibrancy of its cultural attractions, historical landmarks, and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Incorporated in a blog post about French Tourism Statistics, this statistic doesn’t merely contribute a single data point. Instead, it brings into focus the integral role of the region in French tourism and its influential potential in shaping future trends and strategies within the sector.

The Louvre, in Paris, is the world’s most visited museum, welcoming approximately 10.2 million visitors in 2018.

Highlighting a staggering figure of 10.2 million visitors the Louvre, the globally famed heart of Parisian art and culture, drew in 2018, underscores the magnetic allure the French capital holds for aficionados of art and history worldwide. In a blog post dissecting French Tourism Statistics, this number punctuates the central role Paris, and by extension France, plays in global tourism. With the Louvre attracting this magnificent throng of people, France is effortlessly cemented as an irrefutable top-tier destination, demonstrating how its traditional and cultural wealth contributes significantly to its tourism industry’s overall strength.

The Eiffel Tower had approximately 6.7 million visitors in 2019.

This monument of splendor, the Eiffel Tower, serves as a testament to French tourism’s vitality, drawing an impressive 6.7 million people to its historic structure. Its ability to magnetize such a vast visitor count in 2019 secures its spot as a dazzling jewel in the crown of French tourism and contributes substantially to the country’s dynamic tourism statistics. Showcasing the strength and appeal of France’s cultural heritage, this statistic upholds its prominence as a quintessential point of interest to global tourists, a landmark symbolizing the powerful pulse of cultural curiosity and international interconnection.

Number of tourist accommodation establishments in 2020 in France was around 288,921.

Probing into the figure, ‘Number of tourist accommodation establishments in France was around 288,921 in 2020’, offers a panoramic insight into the sheer scope and richness of France’s tourism sector. The data point denotes not only the diversity and accessibility of accommodations spacing from lavish resorts to cozy B&Bs, but is also a concrete reflection of the industry’s potential for growth and investment. Moreover, it implicitly draws attention to the strength and resilience of the sector, which, despite global downturns like the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to provide extensive services catering to various tourist preferences and budgets. Reviewing this figure, readers can truly grasp the extensive infrastructure that has been put in place to bolster French tourism, promising a memorable visitor experience.

France’s tourist spending was expected to decrease by 41% in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plunging into the depths of France’s tourism statistics, the predicted 41% decrease in tourist spending for 2020 punctuates the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country’s tourism industry. It’s a stark signal, illuminating just how much visitor behavior was reshaped by the global health crisis; it reflects the large-scale travel restrictions and heightened health concerns that restrained many potential visitors. This dramatic drop-off is not just a single data point, but a distress beacon reverberating through French cafes, luxury boutiques, and iconic landmarks, representing a monumental challenge to an industry that plays an integral role in France’s economic and cultural vibrancy.

In 2018, France recorded 438 million nights spent by foreign tourists.

Illuminating the allure that France holds for globetrotters far and wide, the staggering figure of 438 million nights spent by foreign tourists in 2018 underscores the country’s eternal appeal. Serving as concrete proof of France’s magnetic charm, this statistic adds credibility to the country’s claim as a heavyweight in the global tourist sector. Pivotal to discussions about French Tourism Statistics, it provides a quantitative measure of the duration of foreign tourist visits, further shedding light on the contribution of tourism to France’s economy and global prominence.

50% of tourism in France is concentrated in 12% of its municipalities.

Painting an intricate portrait of French tourism, the intriguing figure of 50% of tourism activities gravitating towards a mere 12% of its municipalities vividly displays an imbalanced distribution. This concentration of tourists in a limited number of destinations emphasizes the popularity of renowned Parisian landmarks, the Côte d’Azur’s sunny beaches, or Provence’s lavender fields, while other lesser-known regions remain largely unexplored. This data provides a unique insight into tourism patterns and potential untapped potentials in France; a crucial viewpoint which, meticulously used, can contribute to not only sustainable tourism development strategies but also to the discovery of France beyond its customary attraction sites.

In 2019, the average length of a foreign tourist’s stay in France was 6.6 days.

Delving into the depths of French Tourism Statistics, we come across the intriguing fact that in 2019, foreign tourists tended to linger in France for an average period of 6.6 days. This nugget of information casts a revealing spotlight on the magnetism of France’s cultural, historical, and culinary offerings. It conveys the time tourists allow themselves to navigate the labyrinthine streets of French villages, admire masterpieces in scintillating Parisian galleries, or relax among the verdant vineyards of the countryside. This valuable figure not only underlines the allure of France’s tourism sector, but also provides pivotal insight for tourism developers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs seeking to further elevate France’s position as a premier global destination.

In 2019, the region of Occitanie generated around 12 billion euros from tourism expenditure.

A spotlight on the economic prowess of Occitanie illuminates the pulsating heart of French tourism. The compelling revelation that this region single-handedly churned 12 billion euros from tourism expenditure in 2019 paints a vivid portrait of its magnetic appeal to travellers. More than mere figures, it serves as testament to the region’s enchanting allure, rich cultural heritage, and undeniable contribution to French tourism. By virtue of this statistic, Occitanie indisputably stands as a cornerstone in the edifice of France’s tourism industry.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, French tourism statistics indicate a robust recovery in the tourism sector following the recent global downturns. France continues to uphold its reputation as one of the most attractive tourist destinations globally, signified by the impressive increase in tourists’ arrivals and commendable tourist expenditure. Therefore, the dynamism shown by local and international visitors visiting France for both leisure and business purposed bolsters its economy and upholds its global allure, making a significant contribution to the overall GDP growth. Hence, it’s critical to further nurture and promote the tourism industry to sustain this positive momentum.

References

0. – https://www.www.tourmag.com

1. – https://www.www.veilletourisme.ca

2. – https://www.www.toureiffel.paris

3. – https://www.www.reuters.com

4. – https://www.www.statista.com

5. – https://www.www.louvre.fr

6. – https://www.about-france.com

7. – https://www.www.tourism-review.com

8. – https://www.www.french-waterways.com

9. – https://www.www.insee.fr

FAQs

How many tourists visit France each year?

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, France is the most visited country in the world, with roughly 89 million tourists visiting in 2019.

What is the economic impact of tourism on France's economy?

In 2018, tourism directly contributed approximately 7.1% to France's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which equates to around 159.29 billion Euros.

What are the most popular regions in France for tourists?

The most popular regions for tourists in France are Île-de-France (which includes Paris), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. These regions offer a blend of history, culture, art, food and outdoor activities.

What percentage of tourists come to France for leisure rather than business?

According to the latest statistics, about 85% of the tourists come to France for leisure activities and holidays, while 15% visit for business-related activity or other reasons.

What is the average duration of a tourist's stay in France?

The average duration of stay for tourists in France is around 7 days. However, this can vary significantly depending on the purpose and nature of the visit.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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