This statistic presents the ranking of the most visited French cities (excluding Paris) by French tourists in 2016, according to the number of nights spent in hotels. That year, around 3.5 million overnight stays were spent by French tourists in the city of Marseille, in pole position in this ranking. Lyon was not far behind with more than 3.4 million hotel nights spent there.

The three tourist attractions that registered the most admissions in 2017 were Disneyland Paris (with nearly 15 million visitors), the Louvre Museum (eight million visitors) and the Versailles Palace (approximately 7.7 million).

In a survey conducted by BVA in 2015, most of French people chose New York City as the foreign city they would like to visit on holiday. The Big Apple remains popular in France, despite being one of the most expensive holiday destinations in the world in 2018. New York City’s famous architecture, as well as the Statue of Liberty or Central Park, keep attracting thousands of French who want to discover the city that never sleeps.

The French dream of distant cities

It appears that when it comes to popular foreign cities, French tourists seem to have a clear preference for cities which are far from home. In this ranking, New York was followed by Sydney and Montreal. This trend follows another a ranking from 2015 about the most attractive countries for holiday. According to the French, the United States was ranked first, before Canada and Australia. However, the French are still able to dream of their European neighbors. Florence, Barcelona and Rome were among the most popular cities according to French tourists. Mediterranean countries like Spain, Italy or Portugal were also among the destinations French people considered going to for summer holidays. Proximity, organization and price explain why, even if the French dream of holidays on the other side of the world, they tend to spend their holidays in Europe or even in their own country.

Reasons for travelling in France when you are French

Some regions in France, because of their pleasant living environment or their closeness to the sea, are among the most popular for French tourists. Corsica, Brittany and Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur are three very famous tourist destinations in the country. It also seems that French tourists like to spend their holidays with family of friends, which could explain why most French people plan holiday trips in their own country.

As one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, a city known for it's romantic landscape and notorious history, Paris was the city with the most visitors (1.7 million) recorded staying at Airbnb sites in France in the year 2016. The second destination for which Airbnb recorded it's most arrivals was Nice, with around 270 thousand visitors in 2016, followed by Lyon and Marseille.

In 2023, London was the leading European city tourism destination based on the number of bed nights. That year, bed nights in the United Kingdom's capital exceeded 78 million, denoting a sharp annual increase but not fully recovering yet from the impact of COVID-19. Meanwhile, Paris and Istanbul followed in the ranking in 2023, with roughly 52 million and nearly 30 million bed nights. What are the most visited countries in Europe? While the French capital came in second among leading European cities based on bed nights, France topped the ranking of the European countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals in 2023, ahead of Spain, Italy, and Turkey. Meanwhile, when looking at European countries with the highest tourism receipts that year, Spain recorded the highest figure, with over 90 billion U.S. dollars, followed by the United Kingdom. How many international tourists visit Europe every year? In 2023, the number of international tourist arrivals in Europe grew significantly over the previous year, totaling over 700 million. This figure, however, remained below pre-pandemic levels. Overall, either before and after the impact of COVID-19, Europe was the region with the highest number of international tourist arrivals worldwide.

As of February 2025, Île-de-France, the region that includes Paris, recorded the highest number of hotel rooms in France. As of that month, hotels in that region offered a total of nearly 166,000 rooms. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur followed in the ranking, with over 85,000 and 74,000 hotel rooms, respectively.How many hotels are there in Paris? In 2024, the number of hotels in Paris exceeded 1,600. While three-star hotels accounted for the highest number of establishments that year, four-star hotels recorded the highest number of hotel rooms in Paris, with over 33,000 rooms. How many tourists visit Paris and Île-de-France? The City of Lights, as the French capital is nicknamed, is one of the most visited European destinations by international tourists and is also very popular among domestic travelers. In 2023, the total number of tourist arrivals to Paris and Île-de-France, including inbound and domestic visitors, reached almost 48 million, increasing over the previous year but remaining slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

Both in 2019 and 2023, Spain was the leading travel destination for French tourists based on the share of departures. In 2023, Spain alone accounted for 23 percent of all outbound visits from France. That year, Italy and the United Kingdom followed in the ranking, representing 14 percent and six percent of departures, respectively.

The occupancy rate of hotels in France increased slightly in December 2024 over the previous year. That month, the occupancy rate of such accommodation services in the country was 54.4 percent, whereas it reached 53.4 percent in December 2023. How many hotels are there in France? In 2025, hotels accounted for most tourist accommodation establishments in France, with over 16,000 such establishments in the country. When breaking down the number of hotels in France by region, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes reported the most establishments that year, ahead of Île-de-France, the region that includes Paris. How many tourists visit France every year? France topped the list of the most visited countries worldwide in 2023, with approximately 100 million inbound tourist arrivals. When looking at the destinations with the highest inbound tourism receipts worldwide in 2023, France came in fourth place, ranking behind the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

This table contains 45 series, with data for years 2014 - 2014 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 item: Canada) Countries visited (15 items: United States; Mexico; United Kingdom; France; ...) Travel characteristics (3 items: Visits; Nights; Spending in country).

Madrid was the most visited city destination in Spain in 2023, having welcomed nearly ** million overnight visitors. The Catalonian capital followed second in the ranking that year, with roughly *** million tourists spending at least one night in the destination. How did Madrid rank in tourist visits and accommodation? In 2022, Madrid attracted over 4.5 million domestic and 4.6 million international tourists for stays exceeding one day, despite experiencing a more than 10 percent decrease compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the Spanish capital has consistently ranked among the top ten European cities with the highest number of nights spent by tourists in paid accommodation, securing the 8th position that year. Which regions attracted the most international tourists? Spain's international tourism rebounded strongly from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, surpassing 100 million visitors in 2022. Catalonia led as the most visited region, attracting over **** million international tourists. The United Kingdom played a pivotal role as the primary source of international tourists, contributing over ** million travelers, followed by France with around ** million visitors.

The number of international tourist arrivals worldwide rose sharply in 2023 compared to the previous year across all the most visited destinations in the world. Overall, France was the most visited country by inbound travelers worldwide in 2023, with 100 million international tourist arrivals. Spain, the United States, and Italy followed in the ranking that year. Has global inbound tourism recovered from the impact of COVID-19? In 2023, the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide totaled approximately 1.3 billion. While this figure represented a 33 percent annual increase, it remained below the peak in inbound tourist arrivals reported in 2019, the year before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, international tourism receipts worldwide exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2023, peaking at 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars. What are the most popular global regions for inbound tourism? When breaking down the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide by region, Europe has consistently reported the highest volume of inbound travelers, both before and after the impact of the health crisis. In 2023, this region alone accounted for roughly 55 percent of global inbound tourist arrivals. Meanwhile, Asia and the Pacific recorded the second-highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide in 2023.

The number of tourist arrivals to Paris and the Île-de-France region grew by roughly eight percent in 2023 over the previous year. Despite the annual increase, domestic and inbound tourist arrivals in Paris and Île-de-France remained slightly below the figures reported before the COVID-19 pandemic, totaling 25.8 million and 21.8 million in 2023, respectively. What are the leading inbound travel markets in Paris? When looking at the share of international tourist arrivals in the French capital and its surrounding region, the United States accounted for the highest figure, representing roughly 12 percent of travelers in 2022. That year, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy also ranked among the leading inbound tourism markets in Paris and Île-de-France. The hotel market in Paris In 2023, there were over 1,600 hotels in Paris, with most establishments rated as three-star. That said, while the number of three-star hotels has fluctuated since 2019, the number of four-star hotels has increased gradually, peaking at 490 in 2023. That year, four-star establishments recorded the highest number of hotel rooms in Paris.

A May 2024 analysis looked at the most popular city destinations on social media worldwide based on a series of criteria, such as the number of Instagram posts related to that specific destination or the increase in Google searches. Based on the analysis, Nice in France took the top spot in the ranking, with an index score of 8.42 out of 10. London in the United Kingdom and Paris in France followed behind, with an index score of 8.17 and 8.06, respectively.

The number of international tourist arrivals in France increased by *** percent in 2024 over the previous year, reaching *** million, the highest figure reported by the destination to date. Both before and after the impact of COVID-19, France was the country with the highest number of international tourist arrivals worldwide, ahead of Spain and the United States. What are the leading inbound travel markets in France? In 2023, Germany was the leading inbound travel market in France based on tourist arrivals, accounting for ** percent of arrivals by international travelers. That year, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Italy followed in the ranking. What are the preferred destinations for French outbound travelers? When looking at the distribution of outbound tourist departures from France, Spain and Italy stood out as the leading destinations in 2023, together representing nearly **** out of 10 trips abroad by French travelers. That year, the United Kingdom, Morocco, and Germany were other popular outbound travel markets.

Food Tourism Market Outlook

The global food tourism market size was valued at USD 5.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 10.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.7%. The significant growth factor driving this market is the increasing interest among travelers to explore cultural and culinary experiences. The rise in disposable income, the proliferation of social media showcasing exotic food destinations, and the growing trend of travel for unique experiences have been substantial contributors to this growth.

One of the primary growth factors is the increasing inclination of tourists towards authentic and immersive experiences. Travelers are now seeking more than just sightseeing; they are interested in tasting and learning about local cuisines that reflect the region's culture and traditions. This shift in traveler behavior is leading to an increased demand for food tourism. Tour operators and hospitality businesses are capitalizing on this trend by curating specialized culinary tours, cooking classes, and food festivals.

Another significant factor contributing to the growth of the food tourism market is the advancement in digital platforms and social media. The digital age has enabled travelers to share their culinary experiences globally, creating a ripple effect that inspires others to explore gastronomic delights. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are flooded with food travel content, which acts as free advertising for destinations around the world. This digital influence is not only increasing awareness but also making it easier for travelers to discover and book food-related travel experiences.

The rise in disposable income and improved standard of living globally has also played a crucial role. With more disposable income, people are willing to spend on unique travel experiences, and food tourism fits perfectly into this category. Additionally, governments and tourism boards in various regions are actively promoting their culinary heritage as a part of their tourism strategies. By investing in food festivals, culinary trails, and other gastronomic events, these entities are attracting food enthusiasts from around the world, thus boosting the food tourism market.

From a regional perspective, Europe and Asia Pacific are leading the market with significant contributions. Europe, with its rich culinary history and diverse food offerings, continues to attract a large number of food tourists. Countries like Italy, France, and Spain are popular destinations for their cuisine. Similarly, Asia Pacific, with its unique and varied culinary traditions, is also a significant market. Countries such as Japan, Thailand, and India are seeing a surge in food tourists, driven by their exotic and flavorful food offerings.

Type Analysis

The food tourism market can be segmented by type into domestic and international. Domestic food tourism involves travelers exploring culinary experiences within their home country, while international food tourism entails traveling to foreign destinations solely for the purpose of experiencing local cuisine. Both segments are witnessing growth, but they cater to different sets of travelers with varying preferences and affordability.

Domestic food tourism is flourishing due to the ease of access and lower costs associated with traveling within one's own country. Many regions have started promoting local food festivals, culinary trails, and cooking classes to attract domestic tourists. This segment is ideal for those who wish to experience the culinary delights of different regions without the complexities of international travel. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted domestic food tourism as travel restrictions led people to explore local destinations.

International food tourism, on the other hand, appeals to travelers seeking exotic and unfamiliar culinary experiences. This segment often includes high-spending tourists who are willing to travel across the globe to taste unique cuisines. Popular international food tourism destinations include Italy, France, Japan, and Mexico, known for their rich culinary heritage. The growth of this segment is fueled by the increasing number of food festivals and international culinary events that draw tourists from various parts of the world.

Both domestic and international food tourism are seeing technological integration to enhance traveler experiences. Mobile apps, online platforms, and virtual tours are being utilized to provide detailed information, reviews, and easy booking

In 2023, the total number of tourist overnight stays in Florence, including international and domestic travelers, increased sharply over the previous year, but remained below pre-pandemic levels. Overall, travel accommodation establishments in Florence reported around 9.8 million overnight stays by inbound visitors and roughly 2.9 million overnight stays by domestic tourists in 2023. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance Florence is one of the best-known cities in Italy and a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Located in the region of Tuscany, it is the eighth-largest city in Italy in terms of population size. Since the Middle Ages, the city has been an important center of art, culture, trade, and politics, but its true heyday started in the 14th century, with the beginning of the Renaissance. It was in Florence that this innovative philosophical and art movement was born, and the city was home to some of the greatest poets and artists of the period, like Francesco Petrarca, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Impact of COVID-19 on Italian tourism Tourism is one of the most significant economic sectors in Italy, contributing to over 200 billion euros in 2019. Due to the impact of the health crisis, however, the total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in Italy in 2022 was still three percent lower than pre-pandemic levels. Similarly, while the number of international tourist arrivals in Italy rebounded in 2022, it did not catch up yet with the figures from 2019. Overall, the highest volume of tourist arrivals came from Germany, France, and Austria in 2022.

In 2023, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Musée d'Orsay were among the most visited tourist attractions in Paris, France. That year, the Louvre - the most visited museum worldwide - reported 8.9 million visits. Meanwhile, attendance at the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d'Orsay totaled roughly 6.3 million and 3.9 million, respectively.

The number of international tourist arrivals in Europe rose significantly in 2023 compared to the previous year across all the most visited destinations in the region. Overall, France was the most visited country by inbound travelers in Europe in 2023. That year, France - which also topped the ranking of the countries with the highest number of international tourist arrivals worldwide - reported *** million international tourist arrivals, the highest figure recorded by the destination to date. Spain, Italy, and Turkey followed on the list in 2023. Europe is the most popular region for inbound tourism Europe is the region with the highest number of inbound tourism arrivals worldwide, with over *** million arrivals in 2023. Comparatively, there were nearly *** million international tourist arrivals in Asia and the Pacific, the second-most visited global region by inbound travelers that year. When breaking down the number of inbound arrivals in Europe by sub-region, Southern and Mediterranean countries reported the highest figures, both before and after the impact of COVID-19. Travel & Tourism Development Index France and Spain, among the most popular travel destinations in Europe in terms of inbound arrivals, were also among the leading countries in the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI). The TTDI index measures factors and policies that support a sustainable and resilient development of travel and tourism worldwide. In 2023, Spain ranked first with a TTDI score of ****, followed by France and Germany.

The revenue in the 'Vacation Rentals' segment of the travel & tourism market in France was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 0.6 billion U.S. dollars (+13.42 percent). After the ninth consecutive increasing year, the revenue is estimated to reach 5.08 billion U.S. dollars and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the revenue of the 'Vacation Rentals' segment of the travel & tourism market was continuously increasing over the past years.Find other key market indicators concerning the number of users and average revenue per user (ARPU). The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.

In 2024, the number of international tourist arrivals in Paris' hotels totaled roughly 10.1 million. While this figure was the second-highest recorded over the period considered, it represented a 1.7 percent annual decline in inbound arrivals.