100 Million Tourists, France Tops List Of The Most Popular Countries In The World

Travel to France (Pexels/Pixabay)

JAKARTA - In 2024, France managed to maintain its position as the world's most popular tourist destination by attracting more than 100 million visitors, despite intense competition from neighboring Spain.

According to the French ministry of tourism, the number of international tourists coming to France remains stable. This is because it is driven by the recovery of the post-pandemic global tourism sector.

Reported by VOI from the Travel and Tour World page on Thursday, January 23, 2025, in line with the surge in global travel back to pre-pandemic levels, with 1.4 billion people traveling overseas, both France and Spain recording outstanding tourism figures.

The French tourism sector enjoyed great success in 2024, with two million more tourists than the previous year, recording a growth of 2% compared to 2023. This tourism boom can be explained by various factors, including holding the much-anticipated Olympics in Paris in the summer.

The Olympics have attracted more tourists, making France even more attractive as a vacation destination.

Despite the growth, France's total revenue from international tourism, which reached 71 billion euros or IDR 1.2 quadrillion, still lost compared to Spanish tourism revenues which reached 126 billion euros or IDR 2.1 quadrillion.

The French Ministry of Tourism acknowledged the need to focus on increasing tourist spending and encouraging tourists to stay longer, in order to compete more effectively with Spain.

Spain also recorded a remarkable increase in the number of foreign tourists in 2024, reaching a record figure of 94 million, an increase of 10 percent compared to the previous year. Tourism growth in Spain is driven by strong performance in popular destinations such as Madrid, Barcelona, and coastal areas, as well as the large number of tourists looking for cultural experiences, historic sites, and colorful beaches.

Spain's international tourism revenue has increased significantly, further confirming its position as a major player in the global tourism industry.

One of the main factors of Spain's success is its ability to attract the attention of high-spended international tourists. Unlike France, which has decreased slightly in tourist spending, the Spanish tourism economy has actually grown thanks to the increasing number of visitors and higher per capita expenditures. Tourists from the United States, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK contributed greatly to Spanish tourism revenues.

One of the interesting trends in the tourism industry of France and Spain is the increasing number of tourists from the United States. The US has become a major source of high-spending tourists, with French tourism data showing a 5% increase in the number of tourists from America staying longer.

Due to their purchasing power, tourists from the US play an important role in increasing tourism income in the two countries.

However, France is still facing challenges in fully restoring the number of visitors from Asia, particularly China and Japan. The arrival of tourists from China to France is reportedly still 60 percent lower than before the pandemic, while the number of Japanese tourists fell by 30 percent. The decline in visitors from this market shows a change in the post-pandemic global travel pattern.

Snow that fell at the end of 2024 had a positive impact on the French winter tourism sector, especially for those looking for snow sports. France's ski resort experienced a surge in visitors over the year-end holidays, further strengthening the tourism sector. The French ski industry benefits from international tourists who want to enjoy the slopes and winter resorts that are famous in the world.

The success of France and Spain in 2024 shows that the global tourism industry has recovered strongly after the pandemic. With soaring international travel, destinations such as France and Spain are increasingly competitive in attracting tourists, leading to increased investment in tourism infrastructure, hotel services, and destination marketing.

This trend is expected to form a travel pattern in the future, as the two countries continue to strive to maintain their position as the main destinations for international tourists. For British tourists, destinations such as France and Spain are increasingly popular, offering cultural experiences, natural beauty, and world-class facilities.

Along with the growth of international tourism, these two countries will most likely continue to achieve an increase in revenue, creating more competitive markets for destinations around the world.

The outlook for 2025 remains positive for France and Spain. With continued global demand for international travel, the two countries are expected to see an increase in the number of visitors, especially with events such as the Olympics, cultural festivals, and sports competitions that are increasingly attracting attention to these destinations.

However, the success of the tourism sector in the future will depend on how the two countries adapt to the growing demands of tourists, including by prioritizing sustainability, diversifying tourist attractions, and improving overall experience for visitors.