A RECORD-BREAKING 2024 & PROMISING PROSPECTS FOR 2025

In 2024, France had a record year with 100 million international visitors (+2 million) and €71 billion in revenue (+12%), driven by the Olympic Games, the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the 150th anniversary of Impressionism and the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris.

International overnight stays increased by 7.3%, notably in rental accommodations (+16.4%).

The forecast for early 2025 remains favourable: +10% international air arrivals in the first quarter, +7 points hotel occupancy in Paris in January and a 4-point increase in bookings in Paris after the Olympics and the reopening of Notre-Dame.

“We, France, must shift into higher gear by becoming the top destination for sustainable tourism. Our goal is twofold: capitalize on the uniqueness of 2024, which made France known worldwide, and support the sector’s transition,” said France’s Minister Delegate for Tourism, Nathalie Delattre. “The challenges are numerous: improving the quality of our offerings, distributing tourism throughout the year, supporting the sector in its ecological and digital transition, enhancing the attractiveness of our professions, and ensuring the preservation of social and solidarity-based tourism.”

UPDATES FROM THE AIRLINES

Air France, official partner of the Destination France 2025 roadshow, offer an enhanced traveller experience with its new Business cabins available from Toronto, Vancouver and select Montreal flights.

Air France Premium also offers new seats with wireless charging and Bluetooth from Toronto and Vancouver.

For KLM, the World Business cabins are accessible from Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Jean-Eudes de la Bretèche, Country Manager, Canada, Air France-KLM

Travelers can enjoy Air France lounges in Montreal and the KLM Crown Lounge in Toronto before departure or during layovers. In Business class, Air France offers meals prepared by chef Olivier Perret.

With seven stops in Canada, Air France and KLM have an extensive network, including free shuttle service between Ottawa, Quebec, and Montreal to Paris or Amsterdam. The partnership with WestJet ensures connections to 35 Canadian cities. Not only that, but the air-rail combination with SNCF makes exploring many French cities easier. In other news, in summer 2025, KLM will launch a flight to Biarritz.

Meanwhile Air Canada, partner of Destination France 2025 and sponsor of the roadshow’s cocktails, highlighted its direct flights from Montreal to Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Fort-de-France and Pointe-à-Pitre.

Through a partnership with SNCF and AccessRail, new air-rail connections make traveling within France easier. Air Canada also highlighted its free WiFi coming this spring.

Air Transat connects Canada to Paris plus seven regional cities: Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille, Nice, Lyon, and Basel/Mulhouse. Air Transat is the only airline offering direct flights to Marseille and Nantes.

PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES

Air Transat, sponsor of the Destination France 2025 prize, awarded Voyages CAA Québec for its Escape to Brittany and Normandy tour, highlighting its commitment to soft mobility and sustainable tourism.

Atout France notes the four other itineraries nominated for the prize: Cycling in the Wine Kingdom from Vélo Québec Voyages; Charmes of Alsace from Groupe Voyages Québec; Discover Corsica and Paris at Your Own Pace from Tours Découvertes Récréatives; and Ski Safari in the High Pyrenees from Sportvac Tours. “We thank all the nominees and voters for their engagement,” says the tourism board.

Other highlights at last night’s event included Marilyn Goyette from Voyages CAA Laval winning a $200 gift card from a random draw from all those who voted online for the 2025 Product of the Year.

Another nine prizes were awarded to travel advisors, including a cruise from CroisiEurope and a stay in Occitania.

Here’s the list of Atout France partners taking part in the ‘Destination France 2025’ roadshow …

Château de Versailles
Comité Régional du Tourisme de l’Occitanie
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Nîmes Tourism
Air France
Perpignan Tourist Office
Montpellier Tourist Office
Air Transat
Normandy Tourism
Juno Beach Centre
The Grand Tour
CroisiEurope
Baverez Hotels
Découvertes DMC
Carcassonne Tourist Office
Marseille Convention and Visitors Bureau
Martinique Tourist Office
Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board
Paradis Latin Cabaret
Dijon Bourgogne Tourism and Convention Bureau
Saint Martin Tourism
French Bee
Air Canada

For more details about travel to France click here.