Thursday, June 19, 2025
France’s Travel & Tourism industry has achieved historic milestones in 2024, surpassing previous records in economic contribution, employment, and visitor spending, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The country continues to solidify its position as the world’s most visited destination, with expectations for continued growth into 2025.
The WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), conducted in collaboration with Oxford Economics, provides a detailed look at the performance of France’s Travel & Tourism sector, which has reached an all-time high. The sector’s contributions to the national economy, employment rates, and visitor spending have all shown remarkable growth, reinforcing the strength and resilience of France’s tourism fundamentals.
In 2024, France’s Travel & Tourism sector contributed a staggering €266.2 billion to the national economy, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 10.1% and representing 9.1% of the country’s GDP. This growth is a reflection of France’s appeal as a leading global tourism destination, drawing both international and domestic visitors.
The sector also played a pivotal role in the French labor market, supporting 3 million jobs, which is 300,000 more than in 2019. The jobs created by the sector now account for a significant portion of the country’s employment landscape.
The increase in visitor spending has also been noteworthy. International visitors spent €72.5 billion in France, a 7.1% increase over previous peak levels, while domestic spending reached €142.1 billion, up by 5.7%. This balanced demand, both from international tourists and domestic travelers, highlights the country’s robust tourism market and its ability to attract visitors across all demographics.
WTTC projections suggest that France’s Travel & Tourism sector will continue to build on its record-breaking 2024 performance throughout 2025. The sector is expected to contribute €274.2 billion to the national GDP, an increase of 3% from 2024, which would account for 9.3% of France’s total economy.
Employment in the sector is anticipated to grow further, with 3.1 million jobs expected to be supported by the Travel & Tourism industry by the end of 2025. This represents nearly 1 in 10 jobs in the country, reinforcing the sector’s importance as a significant employment driver.
Visitor spending is also forecasted to rise, with international spending projected to reach €75.1 billion and domestic spending expected to climb to €144.2 billion. The continued upward trajectory in both international and domestic tourism highlights the sector’s resilience and capacity to capitalize on global and regional tourism trends.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, commented on the significant progress, stating, “France continues to set the pace for Travel & Tourism worldwide. After a historic 2024, the sector is expected to maintain its growth into 2025 and beyond. The successful hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games showcased France on the global stage, reinforcing its reputation as a premier destination with the capacity to deliver exceptional experiences at scale. France remains a beacon for travelers globally.”
WTTC has also projected an exciting future for France’s Travel & Tourism sector, with growth expected to continue well into the next decade. By 2035, the sector is forecasted to contribute €308.4 billion to France’s economy, representing 9.4% of GDP. The industry is expected to support 3.5 million jobs, which would account for 11.2% of total employment in France.
This long-term growth is expected to be driven by evolving consumer trends, the increasing global demand for travel, and investments in innovation and sustainability. The sector’s ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and focus on sustainability and innovation will be crucial factors in maintaining this positive trajectory.
Beyond France, the broader European Union (EU) Travel & Tourism sector has also demonstrated impressive growth. In 2024, the EU Travel & Tourism industry contributed nearly €1.8 trillion to the region’s GDP, representing more than 10% of the EU’s total economy and exceeding pre-pandemic levels by almost 6%. Employment in the EU sector grew by 4.7% year-on-year, supporting 24.6 million jobs, or one in nine jobs across the region.
WTTC forecasts that the EU Travel & Tourism sector will continue to expand in 2025, reaching nearly €1.9 trillion, which will account for 10.5% of the EU’s GDP. Employment in the sector is expected to rise to 25.7 million, representing 12% of total employment in the EU.
This growth in the EU underscores the broader regional resilience of the tourism sector and highlights the potential for sustained recovery and expansion across European countries.
France’s Travel & Tourism sector has not only recovered from the challenges of the pandemic but has reached new heights in 2024. With strong growth in economic contributions, employment, and visitor spending, the country remains a global leader in tourism. WTTC’s projections for 2025 and beyond indicate that this momentum is set to continue, with France’s tourism sector expected to play an even larger role in the national economy.
As the country builds on the success of the Olympic Games and strengthens its tourism infrastructure, France is well-positioned to remain a top destination for international and domestic travelers. The forecasted growth over the next decade further solidifies France’s status as a key player in the global tourism industry.
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