MONTREAL — With 102 million visitors, France remains the most visited country in the world and records a new 9% increase in tourism revenue.

The data was released this morning, as reported by Profession Voyages, maintaining France’s pole position among the world’s tourism destinations. The country’s 2025 tourism report confirms its dominance, one year after the record year marked by the Paris Olympic Games – a year once thought unbeatable – with 100 million tourists.

Notably, the economic impact of tourism in France increased significantly in 2025: up 9% compared with 2024, the country posted €77.5 billion in international tourism revenue – a historic record – along with a positive balance of payments of €20.1 billion.

Faced with competition from other destinations (Spain in particular, which is closing in fast), France maintains its leading position and reaffirms its 2030 tourism ambitions: to reach €100 billion in revenue and to become the world’s leading sustainable tourism destination.

“France is a great tourism nation – let us be proud of it and, above all, remain so,” said Serge Papin, France’s Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Commerce, Craft Industries, Tourism, and Purchasing Power.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE FIGURES

The 102 million international tourists accounted for 743 million overnight stays in both commercial and non-commercial accommodations (+2% compared with 2024), 76% of which came from European visitors. In commercial accommodations alone, overnight stays grew by 7.5% compared with 2024 (261.2 million). North American visitors recorded significant growth (with a 10% increase from the U.S.).

While the increase in visitor numbers is already good news, the significant rise in international tourism revenue deserves special attention: it climbed 9% in one year to reach a record €77.5 billion.

SECOND RECORD-BREAKING YEAR

The strong 2025 performance follows an equally favourable 2024 (100 million visitors, 12% increase in international tourism revenue), marked by the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris.

France’s tourism momentum extends beyond the appeal of major international events. It’s the result of a strategy aimed at strengthening the contribution of international tourism to the French economy, enabling France to reaffirm its ambition of reaching €100 billion in tourism revenue by 2030, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Another performance indicator: average spend per international tourist rose by 7%, reaching €760 per stay. Furthermore, the gap in international tourism revenue between France and Spain (€105 billion in revenue) has stabilized (-36% in 2025 compared with -38% in 2024).

2026 OUTLOOK

On the international visitor front, the start of the year looks promising, with air bookings sharply up three months ahead compared with last year: Mexico (+19%), China (+17%), and Canada (+7%).

Mountain destinations are once again expected to post strong results. Forecast occupancy rates indicate a 1.3-point increase across all accommodations for the 2025/2026 season.

“WE ARE A GREAT TOURISM NATION”

“Betting on tourism is a winning bet: this is a sector that performs and continues to contribute to national wealth,” said Papin. “We should be proud of this position as the world’s leading destination – many envy us. Some even generate higher revenues. At its core, tourism is a competitive sector like any other in the economy, and one in which we must fight. And we will fight: we are a great tourism nation, and this must benefit everyone, in all regions.”

France’s tourism priorities include …

• Tourism for all: diversification of destinations across France; improved physical and financial accessibility; contribution to local economic development; diversification of tourism offerings.
• Sustainable tourism: more than a slogan, it is a competitive advantage that France is developing by investing in environmentally responsible tourism, preserving natural and historical sites, and meeting the expectations of travellers attentive to the ecological impact of their trips.

Investment in the tourism sector will also continue: a mission will soon be launched to examine sector trends over the next 10 years.