A new report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals that France's tourism industry saw a strong six percent year-on-year increase in its GDP contribution last year, reaching a record high of €246 billion.
The same source indicates that the Travel and Tourism sector is projected to contribute an unprecedented €254.7 billion to the economy in 2024. This represents an eight percent increase from 2019 and will account for nine percent of France’s GDP. This year, the sector anticipates supporting nearly 2.93 million jobs, an increase of over 76,000 from its previous peak. Additionally, spending by both international and domestic tourists is expected to hit new records, with projections of €70.3 billion and €138.8 billion, respectively.
In 2023, the industry created over 172,000 new jobs, raising total employment in the sector to nearly 2.9 million, which is 4.7 percent higher than in 2019. Travel and Tourism now account for one in every 11 jobs in France. The WTTC report also reveals that the country saw a significant influx of international tourists, who spent €66.7 billion. Meanwhile, domestic expenditures increased to €135 billion, both surpassing 2019 levels by one percent. According to WTTC forecasts, France is set to experience substantial growth over the next decade in key areas such as economic expansion, employment, and spending by both foreign and domestic travellers.
As a result, forecasts indicate that by 2034, the Travel and Tourism sector will contribute approximately €310.5 billion to France’s economy, accounting for 9.6 percent of the total economic output. Additionally, the sector is expected to play a major role in job creation, employing around 3.4 million people across the country, which represents 11 percent of total employment.
Previous WTTC data showed that international arrivals in France during the first half of 2024 reached 93 percent of the same period in 2019. Consequently, France has maintained its position as the most popular destination in the world for international arrivals in 2024.