A distinctive tourism identity has existed for a long time.
Illustration photo. Source: Unsplash
From the romance of the streets of Paris and the charm of the coastal towns of Normandy to the prestige of the chateaux of Bordeaux, France’s appeal is undeniable. So it’s no surprise that it’s on track to become the most visited country by 2025, according to new data from GlobalData.
France is on track to reclaim the title of the world's most visited country, with a compound annual growth of 12.1% in visitor arrivals between 2022 and 2025.
GlobalData travel analyst Hannah Free said that the number of visitors to France will continue to grow strongly in the coming years, with festivals, culture and cuisine being major draws for tourists.
"France has a lot to offer visitors with its own unique culture, cuisine and atmosphere. France also has a diverse and rich landscape, each country also has its own coastline," said Mr. Hannah Free.
Indeed, it is the diversity of services that makes France a desirable destination for both first-time and returning visitors.
“France is also a destination that offers something for everyone – history, cities, sea, mountains, beaches, food, wine country. It has it all,” says Gail Boisclair of Perfectly Paris.
France Destination Plan
This information was not surprising until French President Emmanuel Macron launched the France Destination Plan in 2021 to make the country a global tourism leader.
Mr. Anne-Laure Tuncer, Director of the national tourism board Atout France, commented that with the French Destination Plan, the Government of this country intends to establish a practical roadmap for the development and transformation of the tourism industry in the next 10 years, especially emphasizing the goal of becoming a leading sustainable destination by 2030.
“France is investing heavily in innovation, attracting new talent to the hospitality industry and providing training to best welcome these visitors, especially for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games,” said Anne-Laure Tuncer.
According to Mr. Tuncer, the commitment to promoting tourism infrastructure can already be seen, specifically hotels such as Le Grand Contrôle on the grounds of Château de Versailles, the Anantara Plaza Hotel in Nice and the eco-friendly Les Sources de Cheverny or the Fleur de Loire resort in the Loire Valley.
Culturally-developed destinations have also debuted, including the restored 18th-century Hôtel de la Marine in Paris, the prehistoric underground cave Grotte Cosquer in Marseille and the wonderland La Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon. Another new type of destination experience, La Vallée de la Gastronomie, focuses on a culinary journey. Even France’s iconic baguette was recognized by UNESCO last year.
France is set to become the world's most visited country as more and more tourists look to diversify their interests.
“American travelers are willing to take the time to explore more of France beyond Paris. Bordeaux, Alsace, Burgundy and the Loire Valley are popular destinations on the mainland, as well as Martinique and the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe,” Tuncer added.
Highlights in French tourism
Two other French cities have also taken a “smart” approach to tourism, having been named European Smart Tourism Capitals by the European Commission. In 2019, Lyon, a 2,000-year-old city at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, received the honor, praised for its accessibility, fully adaptable public transport network, and museums that offer streamlined tours. And Lyon’s Saint-Exupéry Airport is one of the world’s few carbon-neutral airports and its delicious cuisine, which has trained world-class chefs.
Last year, Bordeaux was also awarded the title for its wine region’s innovation, with visitors able to experience wineries like Chateau Palouney, which operates a fully organic operation, experiment with new ways to grow vineyard rows, and tell wine stories at the interactive museum La Cité Du Vin.
Remarkably, Bordeaux has gone beyond wine to embrace sustainable tourism. The city’s four-line tram system is made from 98% recycled cars, and a huge former submarine base has been converted into the world’s largest projection art museum at Les Bassins des Lumières.
With unique services looking to the future, visitors are constantly looking to immerse themselves in France. And even the country's leading airline is preparing for growth.
We will increase capacity by 15% over the next five years and launch new routes,” said Eric Caron, Air France’s senior vice president for North America. The airline is also preparing to launch a new business class cabin from New York City’s JFK International Airport.
"France's goal in the coming time will be to become the leading destination for sustainable tourism, by making French tourism grow and create more jobs, based on a more quality, sustainable and flexible model, in line with the new expectations of French and international tourists," Mr. Tuncer shared./.
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