france tourist arrivals by country

International tourism, number of arrivals - France

france tourist arrivals by country

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France Visitor Arrivals

  • France Visitor Arrivals recorded 117,109,000 person in Dec 2020, compared with 217,877,000 person in the previous year
  • France Visitor Arrivals data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2004 to Dec 2020
  • The data reached an all-time high of 217,877,000 person in Dec 2019 and a record low of 117,109,000 person in Dec 2020

View France's Visitor Arrivals from 2004 to 2020 in the chart:

France Visitor Arrivals

What was France's Visitor Arrivals in 2020?

France Visitor Arrivals recorded 117,109,000 person in Dec 2020, compared with 217,877,000 person in the previous year See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals by Country Comparison

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The UN Tourism Data Dashboard – provides statistics and insights on key indicators for inbound and outbound tourism at the global, regional and national levels. Data covers tourist arrivals, tourism share of exports and contribution to GDP, source markets, seasonality and accommodation (data on number of rooms, guest and nights)

Two special modules present data on the impact of COVID 19 on tourism as well as a Policy Tracker on Measures to Support Tourism

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International Tourism Results

  • International tourist arrivals and receipts and export revenues
  • International tourism expenditure and departures
  • Seasonality
  • Tourism Flows
  • Accommodation
  • Tourism GDP and Employment
  • Domestic Tourism

International Tourism and COVID-19"

International Tourism and COVID-19

  • The pandemic generated a loss of 2.6 billion international arrivals in 2020, 2021 and 2022 combined
  • Export revenues from international tourism dropped 62% in 2020 and 59% in 2021, versus 2019 (real terms) and then rebounded in 2022, remaining 34% below pre-pandemic levels.
  • The total loss in export revenues from tourism amounts to USD 2.6 trillion for that three-year period.
  • International tourist arrivals reached 89% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and 97% in Q1 2024

COVID-19: Measures to Support Travel and Tourism

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Tourism in France

Development of the tourism sector in france from 1995 to 2021.

Tourists per year in France

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Côte d'azur, loire valley, revenues from tourism.

Tourism receipts in France per year

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65+ france travel & tourism statistics (2023).

Bradley Williams

France is the number one country in the world for tourism.

Did you know that the country had 218 million international arrivals in 2019?

Or that Disneyland Paris, not the Eiffel Tower , is the most visited tourist attraction in France?

With the City of Lights as its capital, the charming countryside, and beautiful language, it’s undoubtedly also one of the best romantic destinations out there.

In 2022, France was also the most sought after destination for Gen Z and millennial travellers .

If you wanted to understand more about things like France tourism income and why tourists visit France, you’re in the right place.

Below are the most interesting and important statistics about travel and tourism in France.

Let’s jump right in.

Sources : Attached with each stat is the source article or data. For a full list of all the sources used, head to the bottom of the post.

Travellerspoint

What country is #1 in tourism?

With 90 million international tourists in 2019 alone, France is the leading country in terms of tourism, way ahead of Spain (81.8 million), the US (76.9 million) , and China (60.7 million).

top countries in tourism

How many tourists visit France per year?

218 million international tourist arrivals were recorded in France in 2019, but this number fell to just 117 million arrivals in 2020.

On the other hand, it's interesting that merely 2.97% of French baby boomers travel overseas .

How many people visit the Eiffel Tower in a year?

In 2017, a total of 6.2 million people visited the Eiffel Tower. Despite being the country’s most iconic landmark, it’s surprisingly not the most visited tourist attraction in France.

What percentage of France's economy is tourism?

The travel and tourism industry contributed 211 billion euros to French GDP in 2019.

International tourism spending alone made up 7.92% of the country’s total export.

France Tourism Key Statistics

  • In 2020, there were 117 million international tourist arrivals in France, a huge decrease from the 218 million recorded in 2019.
  • In 2020, an overwhelming majority of international tourists in France (40 million people) were from Europe.
  • 53.3 million outbound trips made from France in 2018.
  • The number of domestic overnight visitors in France was 186 million in 2019.
  • The travel and tourism industry contributed 211 billion euros to French GDP.
  • Travel and tourism in France is predicted to directly contribute around 104.3 billion euros to the country’s GDP in 2028.
  • In 2019, the total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in France was 2.69 million jobs.
  • France welcomes approximately 11 million international business tourist arrivals every year.
  • Hotels are the most common type of vacation rental in France, with more than 17 thousand establishments in 2022.

Inbound tourism in France

1. in 2020, there were 117 million international tourist arrivals in france, a huge decrease from the 218 million recorded in 2019., 2. in terms of overnight visits in france, there were 91 million inbound arrivals in 2019., 3. france is the world’s leading tourist destination..

France has been the most visited country in the world for 30 years. In 2018, its 89.4 million international tourists surpassed Spain (81.8 million), the US (76.9 million), and China (60.7 million).

4. Meanwhile, out of the 90 million inbound arrivals in 2018, a majority arrived by land transport.

This includes road transport like car rentals and buses, as well as trains, and this figure could be explained as France is a popular destination for European travelers .

5. Air and water transportation ranked second and third for international arrivals in France in 2018, with 28 million and 6 million arrivals respectively.

6. in 2020, an overwhelming majority of international tourists in france (40 million people) were from europe., 7. in comparison, only 1.7 million tourists from the americas visited france..

French inbound tourist arrivals

8. Indeed, the leading inbound travel market for France is the UK, with 13 million visiting France in 2018 alone.

There were 13 million UK residents visiting France in 2018 , making the UK the leading inbound travel market for France.

9. The average international tourist in France stays for nearly a week during their visit.

French outbound tourism statistics.

How many trips do French people take every year?

10. In 2018, there were 53.3 million outbound trips made from France.

11. that was an incredible increase from the 28.4 million outbound trips taken from france in 2017..

outbound overnight trips from France

12. The continent to which French residents travel the most is Europe, with 19 million leisure trips made in 2017 to countries within Europe.

In 2019 particularly, 357,000 French tourist arrivals were recorded in Venice.

13. In 2021, 95.6% of outbound tourists from France traveled to Europe, representing approximately 14 million trips.

[Business Wire]

This shows that French residents preferred short-haul destinations due to the existing Covid-19 travel restrictions.

14. In 2018, 16.22 million international trips were made from France by air, compared to 9.68 million trips by land.

15. leisure day trips are popular among french residents, who made 3 million same-day trips for leisure purposes to belgium and 283 thousand trips to the uk., 16. a 2015 survey showed that tourists from france spent more than 25.1 billion euros for their travel abroad per year..

This includes backpackers. France is the third largest source of backpackers in Australia (7.76%) .

17. The average expenditure per outbound French tourist in 2021 was $2,025.5, making them the ninth most valuable outbound source market.

18. a 2021 survey revealed that 56% of french tourists go on a sun and beach holiday, which is in line with the worldwide average of 57%., domestic tourism in france.

How often do French residents travel domestically?

19. The total number of domestic trips in France fluctuated between 2008 and 2019, hitting record-high in 2017 with 277 million domestic trips.

20. in 2020, this number fell by around 50% to just 138 million domestic trips in france..

Covid-19 had drastically decreased the number of domestic trips taken in France.

21. The number of domestic overnight visitors in France was 186 million in 2019.

22. in comparison, day trips are less popular with 85 million same-day trips made in france in 2017 by domestic travelers., 23. the number of same-day trips dropped in 2020, reaching only 60 million excursionists, the lowest level since 2006. , 24. in 2020, leisure-related domestic trips in france experienced the biggest decline, falling from almost 167 million in 2019 to below 140 million in 2020., 25. the average duration of a domestic trip made by french residents is 5.22 days..

This average duration was calculated from 2020 data.

26. For domestic French trips, the most popular transportation type is land, typically by road or rail.

27. the second and third most popular transportations are by air and water, recording 2.5 million and below 500 thousand, respectively, domestic trips in 2020., economic impact of tourism in france.

What percentage of French economy is tourism?

28. In 2019, the travel and tourism industry contributed 211 billion euros to French GDP.

29. this fell significantly in 2020 to 108 billion euros of gdp contribution, which is a 49% decline..

This dramatic drop could be explained by the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected not only France but also tourism in Europe and rest of the world. 

30. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to French GDP has remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2018, hitting 85.1 billion euros in 2018.

direct travel contribution to French GDP

direct travel contribution to French GDP

31. Travel and tourism in France is predicted to directly contribute around 104.3 billion euros to the country’s GDP in 2028.

32. in 2019, international tourism receipts in france amounted to $70.8 billion..

[Macro Trends]

International tourism receipts refer to expenditures made by international inbound visitors. This includes international transport and other prepayment for goods and services purchased in France.

33. Unfortunately, international tourist spending fell by 49.19% to just $36 billion in 2020.

international tourist spending in France

34. In 2018 and 2019 each, international tourism spending made up 7.92% of the country’s total export.

Unfortunately, in 2020, the percentage dropped to 4.73% of France’s export. This is once again the result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

international tourism spending contribution to French exports

35. The average international tourist in France spent $325 in 2019.

[World Data]

This is a significant drop from the $812 average in 2018. It can be explained by the slight decline in international tourism receipts despite the major increase in number of tourists.

36. In the meantime, French tourists spent an increasing amount in their country since 2012, reching over 115 billion euros in 2019. 

37. of course, this number also declined in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, hitting only 58 billion euros. , employment in french tourism.

How many people are employed in travel and tourism in France?

38. In 2019, the total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in France was 2.69 million jobs.

39. however, in 2020, the total number of employment contribution in the french travel and tourism industry declined to 2.5 million..

france tourist arrivals by country

40. In terms of direct contribution, France recorded about 1.19 million travel and tourism jobs in 2017.

41. travel and tourism is forecasted to directly contribute to employment by generating approximately 1.47 million jobs in france in 2028., 42. disneyland paris employs over 16,000 people from 124 different countries, speaking 20 languages in 500 different roles..

[Disneyland Paris]

According to Disneyland Paris statistics, the company employs more than 16,000 employees (or Cast Members) for their 500 job classifications. They come from 124 nationalities and speak 20 languages.

Business travel in France

Are there many business travelers in France?

43. France welcomes approximately 11 million international business tourist arrivals every year.

There are around 11 million business visitors in France each year.

44. Among the G20 member countries, the expenditure of business tourists in France is the fifth highest at $23 billion.

45. in 2021, business travel spending made up 16% of the total tourism spending in comparison to leisure travel spending at 84%..

leisure vs business travel spending in France

46. France recorded the least number of business overnight stays in April 2020, with only 800 thousand recorded.

During the pandemic, more people worked from home and therefore fewer of them traveled for business purposes.

47. In 2019, 750 trade shows and fairs were held in France.

48. meanwhile, there were 2,800 congresses in france in 2019., 49. out of all visitors in france in 2019, 52 million of them participated in corporate and institutional events., french tourism top attractions.

What is the most visited thing in France?

50. Wine tourism in France has grown by over 30% from 2009 to 2016.

[VisitFrenchWine]

Wine tourism includes visits to wine cellars, wine-making experiences, staying in vineyards or chateaux, wine academy conferences or courses, as well as hikes through vineyards.

51. In 2016, the country welcomed 10 million wine tourists.

52. the largest groups of wine tourists in france (almost 50% of the international visitors) are from belgium and the uk., 53. 50 million tourists visited paris in 2019, making in the most visited country in the world..

[Paris Digest]

Paris received 50 million tourists in 2019 . It’s ahead of London and New York City in terms of the world’s most visited city.

54. The main reasons for visiting Paris is to sightsee and go shopping.

55. the most visited site in france is disneyland, which welcomed nearly 14.9 million visitors in 2017 alone., 56. the second most visited tourist attraction in france is the louvre museum with just over 8 million visitors., 57. it is followed closely by versailles palace (7.7 million) and the eiffel tower (6.2 million)..

Most visited sites in France

Travel accomodation in France

How many hotels are there in France?

58. In 2018, 442.76 million nights were spent in French travel accommodations, an increase from 2017.

overnight stays in travel accommodation in France

59. In Paris alone, there are 56 five-star hotels, making it the city with the fourth highest number of five-star hotels in the world.

As the capital city and hub of the country’s travel and tourism, Paris has 56 five-star hotels .

60. Despite the popularity of France as a travel destination, the number of travel accommodation establishments in the country has been relatively stable between 2009 until 2020, remaining in the 28 to 30 thousand range.

61. tourist hotels are the most common type of travel accommodation in france, with more than 17 thousand establishments in 2022..

Hotels remain the most 

62. With 8,139 establishments, campsites are the next most popular type of travel accommodation in France.

31% of RV owners in 2021 were first-time owners, and the increasing number of RV users means that campsites will grow even more in popularity.

This high number also supports the statistics that France has contributed to why Europe is the dominating force in the global glamping market, with 35.11% of the market share .

63. They are followed by holiday residences, holiday village and family homes, and youth hostels and holding centres.

Holiday villages and family homes are the fourth most common type of travel accommodation in paris, revealing that family trips are also prevalent in French tourism .

types of travel accommodation establishments in France

64. Monthly arrivals in hotels in France tend to peak during the summer months, specifically in August.

65. french hotels received barely ten million arrivals in august 2020, which is lower than the usual 13 million., 66. from 2011 to 2016, the number of nights spent in hotels in metropolitan france was relatively stable, and then rose significantly until reaching almost 215 million nights in 2019. , 67. unlike the rising trend of travel accommodation in france overall, french residents were actually spending fewer nights in accommodation establishments between 2012 and 2018. , 68. france is the country with the second highest number of active airbnb listings (610,765)..

[AllTheRooms]

There are 610,765 Airbnb listings in France , making it the country with the second most active listings after the United States.

69. With 27,677 establishments, France is the country with second highest number of travel sustainable accommodations on Booking.com.

[Booking.com]

France has the second most number of travel sustainable properties, with 27,677 such listings on Booking.com .

For the last three decades, France remains the most popular tourist destination in the world. Its capital, Paris, is also one of the most visited cities.

Travel and tourism have always been a huge part of the country’s economy, as shown by its table contribution to French GDP.

If you’re planning to visit and book your travels to France, we hope these statistics are insightful!

Did we miss any crucial infos?

Tell us what you think in the comment section!

Meanwhile, check out more statistics here:

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  • Female Travel Statistics
  • Online Travel Booking Statistics
  • Pet Travel Statistics
  • WorldPopulationReview
  • Business Wire
  • Macro Trends
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  • VisitFrenchWine
  • Paris Digest
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Find the best country for you: », countries with the most international tourists.

As tourism rebounds from pandemic lows, the United Nations reports these countries welcomed the most visitors last year.

france tourist arrivals by country

(Getty Images) |

Tourism is Rebounding

Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down international travel worldwide, the tourism industry is bouncing back as summer arrives in the northern hemisphere.

International tourism saw a close to 200% year-over-year increase in the first quarter of 2022, and although several related statistics are still well below 2019 levels, gradual recovery is expected to continue throughout the year, according to June analysis from the United Nations World Tourism Organization . Nearly 50% of experts surveyed by the organization said they expect international tourism to return to those pre-pandemic levels from three years ago in 2023, while 44% said it could be 2024 or later.

This is especially good news for countries whose economies are the most reliant on the tourism industry. Those countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba and St. Lucia, according to 2021 gross domestic product data released in June by The World Travel & Tourism Council.

[ RELATED: These Countries Are the Best for Tourism ]

But the countries most supported economically by tourism aren't necessarily the ones that welcome the most visitors. The United Nations compiles several metrics related to inbound tourism by country , including international tourist arrivals, with the most recent data being from 2021. The statistics show that industry recovery still has a ways to go: The most-visited country in 2021 had about 32 million international arrivals. France, the top-ranked country in 2019 – before the pandemic hit – had 90 million.

Here are the countries that welcomed the most international tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the U.N. Included for each are other pieces of tourism-related data, such as GDP contribution percentages from the WTTC.

france tourist arrivals by country

10. Hungary

2021 international tourist arrivals: 7.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 16.9 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 4.6%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 10.6 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 17.4 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 16.1%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 11.7 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 35.2 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 6.4%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 12.7 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 22.7 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 7.1%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 14.7 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 31.3 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 14.9%

france tourist arrivals by country

5. United States

2021 international tourist arrivals: 22.1 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 79.4 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 5.5%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 26.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 64.5 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 9.1%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 29.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 51.2 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 7.3%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 31.2 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 83.5 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 8.5%

france tourist arrivals by country

2021 international tourist arrivals: 31.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 45 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 13.1%

Two teenage girls sitting on bridge holding city map in front of them. Copenhagen city center.

The Countries With the Most International Tourist Arrivals in 2021:

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Most Visited Countries 2024

European countries, often rich in history, culture, beautiful beaches, and ocean views, attract the highest number of tourists.

France, leading in tourism for over 30 years, offers attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, drawing 38 million tourists to Paris alone in 2019.

Global travel and tourism, an $8.9 trillion industry in 2019, suffered a loss of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global travel and tourism was an $8.9 trillion (US$) business in 2019 . Moreover, though the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced that number to roughly a quarter of its previous value, all signs point to tourism continuing to grow, expand, and evolve. Every country on Earth has something to offer international visitors, from the pyramids in Egypt to the rainforests of Brazil or the sidewalk cafes of Paris —but which countries attract the most visitors of all? Most of the countries with the highest tourism rates are located in Europe , whose rich history, architecture, and cultural influence make it an appealing destination for many travelers. Countries positioned on or near a body of water are also very popular, particularly those that offer a relaxed, low-key atmosphere mixed with beautiful beaches and ocean views.

Top 10 Countries Most Popular with Tourists (by number of 2019 visitor arrivals)

The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, and of course, Disneyland Paris. Moreover, the lushly beautiful countryside is full of storybook villages, mountains, vineyards, and the occasional castle. One can even view prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, France's capital, is the most visited city in Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019.

Spain is another tourist destination overflowing with interesting attractions. Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral and other works in Barcelona , the Guggenheim museum, the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Europe's largest aquarium (the lily-shaped L'Oceanogràfic), the beaches of Gran Canaria, and La Rambla in Barcelona. Spain is also home to El Teide, an ancient—but not entirely dormant—volcano, which visitors can hike around at the Parque Nacional del Teide on the Spanish island Tenerife.

England's capital city, London , attracts visitors with a wide range of sights including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum, which includes the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo . Beyond London, England offers the mysterious Stonehenge, the Beatles' birthplace in Liverpool , the quaint beauty of the Cotswolds, the sci-fi botanical gardens of the Eden Project, and more. Speaking of more, the UK also includes three additional subdivisions. First is Scotland, with the charming city of Edinburgh , moody Loch Ness and Inverness , the scenic highlands, and the historic St. Andrews golf course. Next comes charming Wales and its castles, scenery, and capital city of Cardiff . Finally, Northern Ireland boasts attractions including Belfast 's bubbling nightlife, the glens and coastline of Antrim, and one of Europe's most compelling natural wonders: the Giant's Causeway.

The Mediterranean nation Turkey balances captivating man-made attractions such as Hagia Sophia mosque and Topkapı Palace with archaeological wonders such as the Biblical city of Ephesus, the fairy city of Cappadocia, and the desolate fallen splendor of Mount Nemrut. It also has more than its share of natural wonders, including the famous beaches at Ölüdeniz and Patara, the mineral pools at Pamukkale, and the Mediterranean coastline itself.

The South Asian country of Thailand is also known as the "Land of Smiles", and offers both modern comforts and wild adventure. Thailand's capital, Bangkok , receives over 20 million visitors every year. Popular attractions include the Grand Palace in Bangkok; beaches including Railay, Long, and Monkey beach; the ancient city Ayutthaya and ornate Buddhist wat Coi Suthep, and national parks including Khao Yai (where wild elephants roam) and the otherworldly Khao Sok.

The impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21 had a devastating effect on the travel and tourism industry. According to a report released by the World Travel & Tourism Council , the pandemic cost the industry an estimated US$ 4.5 trillion in 2020, which resulted in the loss of 62 million tourism-dependent jobs. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization backs this up. Consider the following table:

International tourist arrivals (in thousands of visitors):

Compared to 2019, tourism dropped by approximately 74% in 2020, with a total of a billion fewer travelers over the course of the year--making 2020 the worst year on record for tourism. The UNTWO's own estimates registered a loss of US$ 1.3 trillion in lost revenues and 100-120 million jobs either lost or at risk.

The impact has been particularly damaging in countries that rely heavily upon tourism as part of their GDP. Lost tourism in Macau, one of China 's special administrative regions, led to a 79.3% drop in year-on-year gambling revenues , which caused overall GDP for 2020 to fall 43.1% compared to the previous year.

While tourism has picked up slightly in 2021, they still fall far short of the pre-pandemic numbers. Late 2020 projections were hopeful that the industry would be back on track by late 2021, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic has thwarted that optimism. As of late 2021, most estimates do not expect the industry to rebound to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.

  • Visitor totals are displayed in 1000s. For example, South Africa 's displayed total of 3886.6 equals 3,886,600 visitors.

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  • UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard - United Nations World Tourism Organization
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International tourism, number of arrivals - Country Ranking

Definition: International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose in visiting is other than an activity remunerated from within the country visited. When data on number of tourists are not available, the number of visitors, which includes tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members, is shown instead. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries. The data on inbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival.

Source: World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.

See also: Thematic map , Time series comparison

More rankings: Africa | Asia | Central America & the Caribbean | Europe | Middle East | North America | Oceania | South America | World |

Development Relevance: Tourism is officially recognized as a directly measurable activity, enabling more accurate analysis and more effective policy. Whereas previously the sector relied mostly on approximations from related areas of measurement (e.g. Balance of Payments statistics), tourism today possesses a range of instruments to track its productive activities and the activities of the consumers that drive them: visitors (both tourists and excursionists). An increasing number of countries have opened up and invested in tourism development, making tourism a key driver of socio-economic progress through export revenues, the creation of jobs and enterprises, and infrastructure development. As an internationally traded service, inbound tourism has become one of the world's major trade categories. For many developing countries it is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income and a major component of exports, creating much needed employment and development opportunities.

Limitations and Exceptions: Tourism can be either domestic or international. The data refers to international tourism, where the traveler's country of residence differs from the visiting country. International tourism consists of inbound (arrival) and outbound (departures) tourism. The data are from the World Tourism Organization (WTO), a United Nations agency. The data on inbound and outbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals and departures, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival. The data on inbound tourism show the arrivals of nonresident tourists (overnight visitors) at national borders. When data on international tourists are unavailable or incomplete, the data show the arrivals of international visitors, which include tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Statistical information on tourism is based mainly on data on arrivals and overnight stays along with balance of payments information. These data do not completely capture the economic phenomenon of tourism or provide the information needed for effective public policies and efficient business operations. Data are needed on the scale and significance of tourism. Information on the role of tourism in national economies is particularly deficient. Although the World Tourism Organization reports progress in harmonizing definitions and measurement, differences in national practices still prevent full comparability. Arrivals data measure the flows of international visitors to the country of reference: each arrival corresponds to one in inbound tourism trip. If a person visits several countries during the course of a single trip, his/her arrival in each country is recorded separately. In an accounting period, arrivals are not necessarily equal to the number of persons travelling (when a person visits the same country several times a year, each trip by the same person is counted as a separate arrival). Arrivals data should correspond to inbound visitors by including both tourists and same-day non-resident visitors. All other types of travelers (such as border, seasonal and other short-term workers, long-term students and others) should be excluded as they do not qualify as visitors. Data are obtained from different sources: administrative records (immigration, traffic counts, and other possible types of controls), border surveys or a mix of them. If data are obtained from accommodation surveys, the number of guests is used as estimate of arrival figures; consequently, in this case, breakdowns by regions, main purpose of the trip, modes of transport used or forms of organization of the trip are based on complementary visitor surveys.

Aggregation method: Gap-filled total

Periodicity: Annual

Note: This page was last updated on December 28, 2019

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France Foreign Tourist Arrivals at Hotels

Tourist arrivals in france increased to 4548 thousand in july from 3826 thousand in june of 2024. tourist arrivals in france averaged 2549.17 thousand from 2011 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 4964.00 thousand in july of 2018 and a record low of 0.00 thousand in january of 2020. source: insee, france, tourist arrivals in france is expected to be 3880.00 thousand by the end of this quarter, according to trading economics global macro models and analysts expectations. in the long-term, the france foreign tourist arrivals at hotels is projected to trend around 2670.00 thousand in 2025 and 2780.00 thousand in 2026, according to our econometric models.,   markets,   gdp,   labour,   prices,   money,   trade,   government,   business,   consumer,   housing,   taxes,   energy,   health,   climate.

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Roman ruins at Arles, Provence - why is france so popular

Roman ruins at Arles, Provence - why is france so popular fxxu - Pixabay

Why France is the World’s Top Tourist Destination

It should come as no surprise to know that France is the  world’s most popular tourist destination . With near 90 million visitors every normal non-covid year, France is a head and shoulders above Spain, which comes in second, receiving 82 million visitors per year. The number 3 spot goes to the USA with 78 million. These statistics confirm that France is once again the world's first choice holiday destination, despite a rather turbulent few years.

So, what is it exactly that attracts people from all over the world to France? We'll try to boil France down to its essence and show you why it is the most popular tourist destination in the world. After all, 89 million people can’t be wrong, can they?

Paris.. Ah... Paris

Need we say more? Going on a self guided tour of Paris  is a wonderful experience, as it's undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and beautiful cities on earth. With glamorous buildings, chic cafés and more galleries than you could ever visit, Paris will captivate your heart and soul. Make sure you divide your time between being the ultimate tourist and climbing to the top of the  Eiffel Tower  and acting like a local (here are some  alternative things to do in Paris ). Head out to one of the city’s many bars and grab yourself a Pastis to sip with the Parisians for an authentic taste of life in the capital.

Our top tips for visiting Paris? For the best view in Paris, climb to the top of the Montparnasse Tower. The lines are far shorter than at the Eiffel Tower and the views actually include the Iron Lady herself! If you’re visiting the Palace of Versailles, book a guided tour of the King’s Apartment at 10 a.m. via the website. The King’s Apartment is separate from the rest of the palace and you can only see it with this tour. This add-on is only a bit more expensive than the general entrance ticket, and you’ll be able to go straight to the main palace after, avoiding the long lines outside. 

Eiffel Tower Paris - a population destination in France

People sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower on a warm's summer evening ( maxpixel - CC0 Public Domain)

The Landscapes are Stunning

When it comes to natural beauty, France can rival just about any other country on the planet. France’s scenery is as diverse as it is beautiful, with the glittering coastlines of the French Riviera, the patchwork fields of the Loire Valley, the snow-capped Alps and centuries old harbor towns of Normandy. This, of course, is hugely appealing for lovers of the great outdoors. Rather than choosing between mountains and beaches, France offers both and a whole lot more. This gives you more bang for your buck and makes your vacation even more enjoyable. Make sure you take your camera – these landscapes are enough to turn every one of your Facebook friends green with envy.   

Saint Malo beach in Brittany - Why is France a popular tourist destination

Beautiful landscapes in Saint Malo, Brittany, France ( Pixabay - aleslanger)

There is History everywhere

France is steeped with history. Having seen numerous empires and republics rise and fall, along with some bloody revolutions, France’s history is etched into every street corner. Visit the Loire Valley to see and explore a multitude of castles sitting majestically behind perfectly manicured gardens . Head down to  the Dordogne  region to see the incredible replica of the pre-historic cave paintings of Lascaux or book in advance to see the real thing in the caves of Font-de-Gaume. Or spend a day or town in some of France’s wonderful old towns and villages, such as Provins, to the south-east of Paris, or Bayeux in Normandy. Read about  some of our favorite beautiful villages in France .

Beynac Castle Dordogne - a popular tourist destination in France

The incredible Beynac castle in the Dordogne ( DomyD - Pixabay)

Architecture from across the ages

Everywhere you look you'll see definitive examples of France’s sublime architecture. This takes the form of cathedrals (Notre Dame de Paris, Notre Dame de Strasbourg and many, many others), abbeys (e.g. Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, Abbaye de Sénanque in Provence), medieval market halls (e.g. a weekend day in Dives-Sur-Mer on the Normandy coast), and  Roman temples and amphitheaters (the Maison Carrée in Nîmes, southern France). You can also admire typical regional architecture, such as the half-timbered houses of Normandy’s coast and back-road villages or the traditional Basque architecture  on one of our French Basque Country tours . From the capital out to the provincial towns, the country’s buildings are all part of the incredibly diverse French landscape.  

Rouen, France - top tourist destinations in the world

The old part of Rouen in Normandy (© CEphoto, Uwe Aranas)

The Food is Mouth-Watering

Everyone knows that French cuisine is some of the best on earth. Here we recommend some food you should definitely try in France . But, did you know that every region of France has its own local specialities? We bet you’ll find (and love) dishes you never even knew existed as you travel across France. You might be interested in reading our post about the typical food of the Basque Country . Elsewhere you'll enjoy feasting on confit de canard, rillettes, beef Bourguignon and more. And, of course, be prepared to eat lots and lots of fresh baguette and stinky cheese , washed down with a choice of  fine wines, from Bordeaux to Burgundy .

French cheese at a market in France

The best place to sample some delicious French cheeses is at a traditional farmers' market in France! ( Kevin - CC BY 2.0)

The Wine is Exquisite

Whether you are a connoisseur, an apprentice, or someone who just enjoys having some wine with dinner, France has something to suit all tastes. From the famous vineyards of Bordeaux to the terroirs of Burgundy to the best bistros in Paris, we know exactly where to send our travellers to discover the finest and most delicious wines. We know which vineyards allow visitors to explore by golf-cart, and which ones can arrange a picnic in the midst of the vines, surrounded by beautiful sceneries. If you are in Paris, we recommend going for a wine tasting at O Chateau wine bar and restaurant. It’s just a short walk away from the Louvre museum at 68 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau. You may book your wine tasting online .

wine tasting - why is france the most popular tourist destination

O Chateau wine bar in Paris (Photo: O Chateau )

The Beaches are Beautiful

France has beautiful Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, many of which have been depicted in paintings by some of the great artists. If you’re planning to visit France between late spring and early fall, we warmly recommend you spend a day or two at the beach. Save the Atlantic beaches (especially Normandy and Brittany) for the summer months, as it will be too cold and windy before June and after September. Provence and the French Riviera, however, will be warm enough to visit in from late April to early October. Read about  some of our favorite beaches all over France , so wherever you go, you’ll be able to find your nearest beautiful beach! 

Banyuls Sur Mer beach - why is france the most popular tourist destination

Banyuls-Sur-Mer, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France, on the Mediterranean coast (Jorge Franganillo - CC BY 3.0)

There are 49 UNESCO Heritage Sites

France has a wide range of UNESCO World Heritage sites that include medieval towns, castles, religious buildings, forts, and landscapes. These 49 sites (correct at the time of updating this post, in 2024) are spread all over France and are a big draw for tourists. As our tours cover 17 regions in France, we have written about all the world heritage sites that are in these specific regions. For the full list, you may like to visit the UNESCO website . 

Mont St Michel why france is a top tourist destination

Mont Saint Michel in Normandy ( Pixabay )

The skiing in France is second to none

Skiers of every skill level head to the French Alps in the winter season, including professionals, families, couples, and groups of friends. It’s not necessary to be a pro to experience skiing in France. Most resorts try to cater for every level, with wide open pistes on gentle slopes for absolute beginners; fast-paced, exciting red runs for intermediate skiers; and more challenging, daring black runs for the pros. There is often also access to some great off-piste areas for confident skiiers who want to explore ‘off-the-beaten-track’. Seasonal skiers often choose the popular alpine resorts of Chamonix, Courchevel, Morzine, Tignes and Val d’Isère. The resorts in the world’s largest connected ski area, Les Trois Vallées, offer the best high altitude terrain where you’ll almost certainly be guaranteed some snow. 

france tourist arrivals by country

The ski slopes in Chamonix in the French Alps (paul_harrison - Pixabay )

There's a festival for all tastes

As far as festivals are concern, visitors to France are spoilt for choice. In the summer, you can attend the Carcassonne Festival of contemporary music, dance and theater, which attracts famous performers from all over the world (recently including Elton John, Deep Purple and Moby). Or perhaps you prefer classical music – in which case head to the gorgeous little town of Menton on the French Riviera (a rival for Cannes any day!) for a concert under the stars. The Menton Music Festival is an annual event and takes place over two weeks during July and August. If you’re a film-buff, you may be attracted by the glitz and glamor of Deauville’s American Film Festival. However, if you prefer something a little more low-key, try the Cabourg Film Festival in mid-June and watch a film at the 400-seater open-air cinema on the beach. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out the Lemon Festival in Menton in February, or the Gypsy pilgrimage to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in Provence every May. 

Menton summer festivals in France

It's an Endless Source of Inspiration for Creatives

Artists, writers, journalists, photographers, dancers and musicians have found inspiration in Paris for centuries. The work of the protagonists of the Enlightenment, the Golden Age, the Romantic Era, la Belle Époque (or Golden Age) and les Années Folles (the "crazy years" of the 1920s) still endures and remains popular today. You may study the work of philosophers such as Francis Bacon, Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire and Adam Smith to see how their work was inspired by the reality of the Enlightenment. Famous figures associated with the more turbulent Romantic Era that followed include Alexandre Dumas (author of The Three Musketeers ) and Victor Hugo, whose most famous novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame eventually became a paradigm of the French Romantic movement. 

The Belle Époque (France’s ‘Golden Age’) ran roughly from 1871 up to the beginning of the First World War in 1914. People tend to look back on this era as a time of peace and prosperity, probably because of the stark contrast with the terrible destruction and loss France suffered in the war that immediately succeeded it. The arts flourished during La Belle Époque (which translates from French as ‘the beautiful era’) and many literary, musical, theatrical and artistic masterpieces gained recognition. Prominent artists included Impressionist Claude Monet, and post-Impressionists Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and a young Pablo Picasso. Literary greats Émile Zola, Guy de Maupassant and Marcel Proust gained prominence, and this era also saw the birth of the Eiffel Tower, constructed as the grand entrance to the 1889 World Fair, the Moulin Rouge, and the Art Nouveau movement. 

The Golden Age was brought to an abrupt end as war broke out across Europe, and was followed by ‘Les Années Folles´ or the Roaring Twenties as they were known in other parts of the world. France inspired the likes of expat writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce, who later became known as the ´Lost Generation. Today, France continues to inspire creatives; Woody Allen’s 2011 film Midnight in Paris follows the protagonist through a journey of magic realism back through the ages of Paris; authors such as Kate Mosse, Peter May and Anthony Doerr have also used different parts of France as settings in their novels. Come to France and find something that inspires you! 

Have we convinced you yet that France is the best country in the world to visit on vacation? If we have and you want to know more about how to explore this wonderful nation, get in touch with us . We can help you design your very own vacation itinerary, tailored specifically to your tastes.

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Wow ! Wow ! Wow ! We had the best 23 day trip to France. I normally plan our vacations, but after finding the France Just For You website, I knew we had to let the experts plan our 30th Anniversary. Every Bed & Breakfast was excellent. They were so beautiful and the welcome was fantastic at every one. FJFY thinks of every detail. Directions, train tickets, dates marked on maps. It’s all organized. One of our highlights was meeting all the FJFY travel agents at their new offices in Langeais!

We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a driver meet us in Paris CDG airport, it was a stress-free vacation. Emilie provided first class service throughout and tailored our desire to see Paris, the Loire Valley …

We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a driver meet us in Paris CDG airport, it was a stress-free vacation. Emilie provided first class service throughout and tailored our desire to see Paris, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne and finally Provence. Her recommendations and arrangements for accommodation, transportation, dining, wine estates, tours, guides and special out of the way places was perfect. She based our vacation on our desires and specific wishes - and she matched them perfectly. We can't say enough how her trip planning, itinerary, choice of what to do was exactly what we were looking for. In addition she provided several out of the way spots away from touristy sites that made this special Birthday vacation amazing. The intriguing part was receiving our custom tailored Guide Books which were indispensable and allowed us to travel worry free. This was a great source of practical, useful information that made our trip even more relaxed. The diversity of the trip allowed us to experience many aspects of French culture - history, art, wine tasting and appreciation, dining, truffle hunting and running through Lavender fields in bloom. Biking through quaint villages and following in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Hemingway, amoung others. Thanks to her we were able to see several regions of France and we came to understand that we could not do everything she suggested - and that was a good thing. Throughout it all Emilie communicated on a regular basis and was always available if we had a question. We would definitely recommend France Just For You to anyone desiring a unique, tailored way of experiencing France.

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We are experienced travelers world-wide, generally organizing our own itinerary or having a travel group help us with a tour-for-two, and a personal guide, in several select locations. This was our first visit to France. So to be on our own with the guidance and extremely comprehensive written support of France Just For You was just remarkable and very reassuring. We felt completely confident during our 26 day tour from Nice to Paris, and we were astounded by the range of experiences offered to us. The accommodation choices were lovely, and all of our hosts were extremely gracious. Do keep in mind that we are a long married couple, and a self-driving tour of this magnitude and length could be trying at times. But we are here to tell the tale. Highly recommended, and many accolades to France Just For You. With thanks,

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A Trip "Just for us!' We had an outstanding driving tour through NW France. We got to experience the trip at our own speed focusing on our individual interests. No large groups, tour buses, or strict schedules. It was heavenly! Emilie set us up with four special guides during our trip. Each was passionate about their area of expertise, well spoken …

A Trip "Just for us!' We had an outstanding driving tour through NW France. We got to experience the trip at our own speed focusing on our individual interests. No large groups, tour buses, or strict schedules. It was heavenly! Emilie set us up with four special guides during our trip. Each was passionate about their area of expertise, well spoken, polite, and enthusiastic.

Travelers wanting to experience France need look no further than France Just for You. Emilie works very hard to make sure travelers have a care-free, positive, unique experience that they could have never found on their own or with a bus tour group. If you dislike prefabricated group tours, and/or feel unconfident about traveling in a foreign …

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  • Leading inbound travel markets in France 2019-2023, by share of arrivals

Both in 2019 and 2023, Germany was the leading inbound travel market in France based on the share of tourist arrivals. In 2023, German travelers alone accounted for 16 percent of all tourist arrivals in France. That year, the United Kingdom and Belgium followed in the ranking, representing 14 percent and 10 percent of international arrivals, respectively.

Distribution of international tourist arrivals in France in 2019 and 2023, by country

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Missing percentage points to 100 percent are probably due to rounding.

Other statistics on the topic Travel and tourism in France

  • Countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2023
  • Destinations with the highest inbound tourism receipts worldwide 2019-2023
  • Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in France 2019-2034
  • International tourist arrivals in France 2010-2023
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Statistics on " Travel and tourism in France "

  • Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in France 2019-2023, by type
  • Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in France 2019-2023, by tourist type
  • Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in France 2019-2034
  • Leading inbound travel markets in France 2024, by Google travel demand growth
  • Leading inbound travel markets in France 2019-2022, by hotel overnight stays
  • International tourism receipts in France 2010-2023
  • Number of outbound tourist trips from France 2012-2022
  • Number of outbound tourist trips from France 2012-2022, by purpose
  • Number of outbound tourist trips from France 2012-2022, by mode of transport
  • Leading outbound travel markets in France 2019-2023, by share of departures
  • Leading outbound travel markets in France 2024, by Google travel demand growth
  • Outbound tourism spending in France 2010-2023
  • Domestic overnight trips in France 2009-2022
  • Number of domestic arrivals in tourist accommodation in France 2013-2023
  • Monthly overnight stays in hotels in France 2019-2024, by guest type
  • Domestic same-day trips in France 2009-2022
  • Domestic tourism spending in France 2019-2034
  • Number of tourist accommodation establishments in France 2010-2023
  • Tourist accommodation establishments in France 2024, by type
  • Number of hotels and similar accommodation in France 2012-2023
  • Hotels in France 2024, by region
  • Michelin-rated hotels in France 2024, by region
  • Monthly hotel occupancy rate in France 2019-2024
  • Revenue of the hotel industry in France 2020-2029
  • Revenue of the vacation rentals industry in France 2020-2029

Other statistics that may interest you Travel and tourism in France

  • Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in France 2019-2034
  • Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in France 2019-2023, by type
  • Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in France 2019-2023, by tourist type
  • Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in France 2019-2034
  • Premium Statistic Countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2023
  • Premium Statistic Destinations with the highest inbound tourism receipts worldwide 2019-2023

Inbound tourism

  • Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in France 2010-2023
  • Basic Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in France 2019-2023, by share of arrivals
  • Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in France 2024, by Google travel demand growth
  • Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in France 2019-2022, by hotel overnight stays
  • Premium Statistic International tourism receipts in France 2010-2023

Outbound tourism

  • Basic Statistic Number of outbound tourist trips from France 2012-2022
  • Basic Statistic Number of outbound tourist trips from France 2012-2022, by purpose
  • Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourist trips from France 2012-2022, by mode of transport
  • Basic Statistic Leading outbound travel markets in France 2019-2023, by share of departures
  • Premium Statistic Leading outbound travel markets in France 2024, by Google travel demand growth
  • Premium Statistic Outbound tourism spending in France 2010-2023

Domestic tourism

  • Premium Statistic Domestic overnight trips in France 2009-2022
  • Basic Statistic Number of domestic arrivals in tourist accommodation in France 2013-2023
  • Premium Statistic Monthly overnight stays in hotels in France 2019-2024, by guest type
  • Premium Statistic Domestic same-day trips in France 2009-2022
  • Basic Statistic Domestic tourism spending in France 2019-2034

Accommodation

  • Basic Statistic Number of tourist accommodation establishments in France 2010-2023
  • Premium Statistic Tourist accommodation establishments in France 2024, by type
  • Basic Statistic Number of hotels and similar accommodation in France 2012-2023
  • Premium Statistic Hotels in France 2024, by region
  • Premium Statistic Michelin-rated hotels in France 2024, by region
  • Premium Statistic Monthly hotel occupancy rate in France 2019-2024
  • Premium Statistic Revenue of the hotel industry in France 2020-2029
  • Premium Statistic Revenue of the vacation rentals industry in France 2020-2029

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COMMENTS

  1. International tourism, number of arrivals

    International tourism, number of arrivals - France. World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files. License : CC BY-4.0. LineBarMap. Also Show Share Details. Label. 1996 - 2020.

  2. Arrivals of foreign tourists in France by country of origin

    Countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2023 Change in number of visitors from Mexico to the U.S. 2018-2024 Passenger traffic at Dubai Airports from 2010 to 2020*

  3. International tourist arrivals by country 2023

    Overall, France was the most visited country by inbound travelers worldwide in 2023, with 100 million international tourist arrivals. Spain, the United States, and Italy followed in the ranking ...

  4. International tourist arrivals by continent France 2020

    European countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals 2019-2023 Visitor exports in selected countries worldwide 2016-2017 International tourism spending in the UK 2019-2022

  5. France Visitor Arrivals [Chart-Data-Forecast], 2004

    France Visitor Arrivals data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2004 to Dec 2020. The data reached an all-time high of 217,877,000 person in Dec 2019 and a record low of 117,109,000 person in Dec 2020. The World Bank provides annual Tourist Arrivals. View France's Visitor Arrivals from 2004 to 2020 in the chart: Apply.

  6. World Tourism rankings

    Countries by tourist arrivals in 2019. The World Tourism rankings are compiled by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as part of their World Tourism Barometer publication, which is released up to six times per year. In the publication, destinations are ranked by the number of international visitor arrivals, by the revenue generated by inbound tourism, and by the expenditure of ...

  7. France is the most visited country in the world. Here's why

    France has the most international tourist visitors in the world, followed by Spain and the U.S. French residents rate it for its landscape, culture and food.

  8. France

    The value for International tourism, number of arrivals in France was 117,109,000 as of 2020. As the graph below shows, over the past 24 years this indicator reached a maximum value of 217,877,000 in 2019 and a minimum value of 117,109,000 in 2020. Definition: International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who ...

  9. The UN Tourism Data Dashboard

    International Tourism and COVID-19. The pandemic generated a loss of 2.6 billion international arrivals in 2020, 2021 and 2022 combined; Export revenues from international tourism dropped 62% in 2020 and 59% in 2021, versus 2019 (real terms) and then rebounded in 2022, remaining 34% below pre-pandemic levels.

  10. Tourism in France

    Tourism in France. Tourism in France directly contributed 79.8 billion euros to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013, 30% of which comes from international visitors and 70% from domestic tourism spending. The total contribution of travel and tourism represents 9.7% of GDP and supports 2.9 million jobs (10.9% of employment) in the country. [1]

  11. Development and importance of tourism for France

    Tourism in France France recorded a total of 48.40 million tourists in 2021, ranking 1st in the world in absolute terms. ... The following chart shows the number of tourist arrivals registered in France each year. Until 2005, tourists were defined as anyone who spent at least one night in the country but did not live there for longer than 12 ...

  12. 65+ France Travel & Tourism Statistics (2023)

    International tourism spending alone made up 7.92% of the country's total export. France Tourism Key Statistics. In 2020, there were 117 million international tourist arrivals in France, a huge decrease from the 218 million recorded in 2019. In 2020, an overwhelming majority of international tourists in France (40 million people) were from ...

  13. International tourist arrivals in France 2023

    Country & Region reports. ... The number of international tourist arrivals in France increased by 7.3 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching 100 million, the highest figure ...

  14. France: Country-specific: Arrivals of non-resident ...

    " France: Country-specific: Arrivals of non-resident tourists at national borders, by country of residence 2017 - 2021 (11.2022)." Tourism Statistics, (1), pp. ... UN Tourism is a specialized agency of the United Nations ...

  15. World Tourism Organization

    Tourism Statistics. Get the latest and most up-to-date tourism statistics for all the countries and regions around the world. Data on inbound, domestic and outbound tourism is available, as well as on tourism industries, employment and complementary indicators. All statistical tables available are displayed and can be accessed individually.

  16. These Countries Had the Most International Tourist Arrivals

    The statistics show that industry recovery still has a ways to go: The most-visited country in 2021 had about 32 million international arrivals. France, the top-ranked country in 2019 - before ...

  17. Most Visited Countries 2024

    France, leading in tourism for over 30 years, offers attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, drawing 38 million tourists to Paris alone in 2019. ... International tourist arrivals (in thousands of visitors): Compared to 2019, tourism dropped by approximately 74% in 2020, ... The top five most visited countries are France, Spain ...

  18. Countries ranked by International tourism, number of arrivals

    Arrivals data measure the flows of international visitors to the country of reference: each arrival corresponds to one in inbound tourism trip. If a person visits several countries during the course of a single trip, his/her arrival in each country is recorded separately. In an accounting period, arrivals are not necessarily equal to the number ...

  19. Inbound tourist arrivals France 2020

    Number of Asian tourist visits to the UK 2019 by country of residence; ... Total number of international tourist arrivals in France from 2004 to 2020 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com ...

  20. France Foreign Tourist Arrivals at Hotels

    Forecast. Download. Tourist Arrivals in France increased to 3820 Thousand in June from 3637 Thousand in May of 2024. Tourist Arrivals in France averaged 2536.79 Thousand from 2011 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 4964.00 Thousand in July of 2018 and a record low of 0.00 Thousand in January of 2020. source: INSEE, France. Feedback.

  21. Why France is the World's Top Tourist Destination

    It should come as no surprise to know that France is the world's most popular tourist destination.With near 90 million visitors every normal non-covid year, France is a head and shoulders above Spain, which comes in second, receiving 82 million visitors per year. The number 3 spot goes to the USA with 78 million. These statistics confirm that France is once again the world's first choice ...

  22. Most visited countries in Europe 2023

    Countries with the highest number of international tourist arrivals in Europe from 2019 to 2023 (in millions) [Graph], World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), July 22, 2024. [Online].

  23. Top inbound travel markets by arrivals France 2023

    Both in 2019 and 2023, Germany was the leading inbound travel market in France based on the share of tourist arrivals. In 2023, German travelers alone accounted for 16 percent of all tourist ...