France Maintains Unmatched Growth in Travel & Tourism
France has solidified its position as the world’s leading travel destination, with the Travel & Tourism sector achieving record-breaking results in 2024 and expected to surpass those figures in 2025, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). New Economic Impact Research (EIR) conducted with Oxford Economics reveals unprecedented levels in economic contribution, employment, and visitor spending.
In 2024, the French Travel & Tourism sector contributed €266.2 billion to the national economy—10.1% above pre-pandemic levels—representing 9.1% of France’s GDP. It also supported three million jobs, exceeding 2019 employment levels by 300,000. International visitor spending surged to €72.5 billion, while domestic spending climbed to €142.1 billion, showing solid growth of 7.1% and 5.7%, respectively.
Looking ahead, 2025 is expected to build on this historic momentum. The WTTC forecasts the sector will generate €274.2 billion, increasing its share to 9.3% of GDP, and support 3.1 million jobs, meaning nearly 1 in 10 jobs in France will be in Travel & Tourism. International visitor spending is projected to rise to €75.1 billion, with domestic tourism hitting €144.2 billion.
Julia Simpson, President & CEO of the WTTC, noted, “France continues to set the pace for Travel & Tourism worldwide. The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games showcased the country’s ability to host on a global scale, reaffirming its status as a premier destination with world-class experiences.”
Looking further ahead, WTTC projects that by 2035, France’s Travel & Tourism sector could reach €308.4 billion, accounting for 9.4% of GDP and supporting 3.5 million jobs—or 11.2% of total employment—driven by sustainable investments, innovation, and evolving consumer preferences.
At a regional level, the European Union also demonstrated strong performance, with Travel & Tourism contributing €1.8 trillion in 2024—over 10% of the EU’s GDP—and supporting 24.6 million jobs. Projections for 2025 see this rising to €1.9 trillion and 25.7 million jobs, reflecting the growing role of tourism across the continent.
France’s exceptional trajectory reaffirms its role as a global benchmark in tourism development and sustainability, setting the stage for another decade of opportunity and leadership in the industry.
