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Record-Breaking Performance Propels French Tourism to New Heights – Image Credit Unsplash
France’s Travel & Tourism sector is poised to continue its record-breaking growth into 2025, following a historic performance in 2024.
2024: A Record Year for French Tourism
In 2024, France’s Travel & Tourism sector achieved unprecedented success, setting new economic contributions, employment, and visitor spending records. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Oxford Economics, the sector added €266.2 billion to the French economy, marking a 10.1% increase from 2019 and accounting for 9.1% of the national GDP. Employment in the sector rose to three million, an increase of 300,000 jobs since 2019.
Visitor spending also saw significant gains, with international expenditures reaching €72.5 billion and domestic spending climbing to €142.1 billion. These figures represent increases of 7.1% and 5.7% over peak levels, respectively, indicating robust demand from both international and domestic tourists.
2025: Sustaining Growth and Momentum
The WTTC projects that the upward trend will continue into 2025, with the sector expected to contribute €274.2 billion to the GDP, increasing its share of the economy to 9.3%. Employment in Travel & Tourism is forecast to reach 3.1 million, nearly one in ten of all jobs in France.
International visitor spending is anticipated to rise to €75.1 billion, while domestic spending is expected to reach €144.2 billion. These projections underscore the enduring strength of France’s tourism sector, which is supported by world-class cultural and leisure assets, robust transport infrastructure, and ongoing government backing.
Long-Term Outlook and Global Context
Looking further ahead, the WTTC forecasts that by 2035, France’s Travel & Tourism sector could contribute €308.4 billion to the national economy, equivalent to 9.4% of GDP, and support 3.5 million jobs, representing 11.2% of total employment. This outlook suggests that the sector will remain a cornerstone of growth and opportunity, driven by evolving consumer trends, increasing global demand, and investments in innovation and sustainability.
In a broader context, the European Union’s Travel & Tourism sector also showed strong performance in 2024, contributing nearly €1.8 trillion to the region’s GDP, more than 10% of the total economy. By 2025, the sector is expected to grow further, reaching almost €1.9 trillion and employing 25.7 million people, or 12% of the regional workforce.
Conclusion
France’s Travel & Tourism sector is a leader in Europe and sets a global benchmark for growth and resilience. Successfully hosting major events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games has further reinforced France’s reputation as a top travel destination. With sustained growth projected through 2025 and beyond, France continues to shine on the world stage as a beacon for travelers and a major contributor to economic development.
