Tourism - France: The world’s number one tourist destination

With 82 million incoming international tourists in 2007, France still retains global first place ahead of Spain. The number of international tourists grew by almost 4% in France in 2007 compared to 2006, and by 6% in the world as a whole. The principal customer bases come from Europe: Germans, British and Belgians represent 46% of tourist arrivals, the Dutch 8.9% and Italians, Spanish and Portuguese 17%.Tourism represents 6.3% of GDP in France compared with 3.8% globally.

Paris Region remains number one French tourist region.

In 2007, Paris Region retained its place as the top French tourist region. It welcomed 32.6 million tourists to its hotels, of which 45% were foreign. International tourism is one of the region’s strong points with 55% of overnight stays being by foreigners compared with a national average of 33%. The region welcomed more Europeans and Americans but fewer from Asia.
The principal sites visited where there are entry fees are Disney and Walt Disney Studios (14.5 million visitors), the Louvre (8.2 m), the Eiffel Tower (6.8 m), the Pompidou Centre (5.5 m), Versailles (5.3 m), Musée d’Orsay (3.2 m), the Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie science park (2.8 m) and the Arc de Triomphe (1.3 m).

Photo Credits : © Paris Tourist Office - David Lefranc

More information about leisure activities in Paris Region on Econovista.com, the interactive map