France is expected to stay as the world’s leading destination for international visitors in the first half of 2024, predicts a joint research by WTTC and ForwardKeys. Paris remains world’s most powerful city destination and other French cities like Nice have also surging as top-performing in European cities.

France is set to keep its pole position as the world’s most popular destination for international arrivals this year, shows latest data from World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and travel data analysis firm ForwardKeys.

According to a press statement by WTTC, research reveals a positive outlook for France’s inbound travel with arrivals set to almost reach pre-pandemic highs this year. International arrivals in France for the first half of 2024 are expected to be at 93 pc of the same period in 2019, with France cementing its position as the world’s most popular destination.

The statement adds that during her participation at the Destination France event taking place in Chantilly and hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson praised France for its steely focus in recognising the economic and cultural value travel and tourism bring in jobs and contribution to GDP. This is achieved through a strong private sector working well with government and the regions.

“France’s commitment to travel and tourism is not just reflected in the impressive data, but in the unwavering efforts of the government. President Macron recognises the real value travel and tourism brings to France in terms of the economy, jobs and its standing on the world stage. His support has ensured France remains the world’s most popular destination,” says Simpson.

Research also shows 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. 

“With flight bookings on the rise and air carriers set to introduce a record number of seats, France enters 2024 in a strong position. Capitalising on the successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and on the growing exposure provided by the upcoming Olympic Games, the country is set to be one of most thought-after destinations this year for both regional and long-haul markets,” says Olivier Ponti, Vice President Insights at ForwardKeys.

The statement adds that this rise in passenger capacity is led by Orly Airport, with an increase of 28 pc, reaching nearly 8 million. Charles de Gaulle remains the busiest airport in France to reach 18.5 million in the first six months of 2024, just 3 pc below 2019 levels. Paris is the world’s most powerful city destination, but in 2024, other French cities are also going to be popular attractions for foreign visitors. Nice is among the top-performing European cities, with international arrivals expected to reach 94 pc of pre-pandemic levels.

WTTC data says that France as a destination is becoming increasingly popular amongst Spanish and Canadian travellers, with international arrivals exceeding 2019 levels by more than 64 pc and 54 pc, respectively. Irish and South Korean travellers are returning to France in their droves, with visitor numbers up from 2019 levels by 19 pc and 16 pc, respectively.

Travellers to France are also spending more money, with bookings of premium cabins witnessing a surge of 21 pc compared to pre-pandemic levels in the first half of the year, the statement adds.

Last year, WTTC’s Economic Impact Research (EIR) revealed that the French tourism sector is expected to grow at an average of 3 pc annually over the next decade, twice the 1.5 pc annual growth rate of the country’s overall economy, to reach more than EUR 297 billion or 9.7 pc of the total economy. The forecast also revealed the 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.