WTTC: France Remains Most Popular Destination for International Visitors

France is set to keep its pole position as the world’s most popular destination for international arrivals this year, according to new research from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Citing the latest flight booking data provided by ForwardKeys, the WTTC revealed a positive outlook for France’s inbound travel, with arrivals set to almost reach pre-pandemic highs this year.

According to the research, international arrivals in France for the first half of 2024 are at 93 percent of the same period in 2019 with “France cementing its position as the world’s most popular destination”.

Exposure for France growing by upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

Photo source: olympics.com

ForwardKeys Vice President Insights Olivier Ponti said that flight bookings are on the rise and air carriers are set to introduce a record number of seats for France this year.

“France enters 2024 in a strong position,” he said, adding that with the growing exposure provided by the upcoming Olympic Games, France is set to be one of most “thought-after destinations” this year for both regional and long-haul markets.

ForwardKeys research also showed 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.

This rise in passenger capacity is led by Orly Airport in Paris, with an increase of 28 percent, reaching nearly eight million. Charles de Gaulle, the busiest airport in France, is expected to reach 18.5 million passengers in the first six months of 2024, just 3 percent below 2019 levels.

Paris remains world’s most powerful city destination

The Louvre by Night.

The data also showed that Paris remains the world’s most powerful city destination. According to accommodation data, the occupancy rates in the French capital reached above 2019 in the first half of 2023. However, the survey notes that other French cities, such as Nice, are also going to be popular in 2024. International arrivals to Nice are expected to reach 94 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

Moreover, Irish and South Korean travellers are returning to France in their droves, with visitor numbers up from 2019 levels by 19 percent and 16 percent, as mentioned in the research. Canadians and Spanish are also adding France in their destination list for 2024 with international arrivals exceeding 2019 levels by more than 64 percent and 54 percent.

WTTC’s Economic Impact Research (EIR) in 2023 revealed that the French Travel & Tourism sector is expected to grow at an average of 3 percent annually with profits up to 297 billion euros (9.7 percent of the total economy).

Participating at the recent Destination France event in Chantilly and hosted by France’s President Emmanuel Macron, WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson praised France for its “steely focus” in recognising the economic and cultural value Travel & Tourism brings in jobs and contribution to GDP.

“President Macron’s support has ensured France remains the world’s most popular destination,” Simpson said.

According to the WTTC, the Travel & Tourism sector in France 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.