France Market Overview

France’s population is 67.2 million and is the second most populated country in the EU, with a GDP of 2,57 trillion US$ (+2% in 2017). France is the fifth largest international industrialized economy and the second largest European (EU) industrialized economy. French employees enjoy 6 to 9 weeks of paid holidays per annum and an additional 11 public bank holidays per year. Paris, the capital of France, is the largest city with 12.4 million inhabitants, followed closely by Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and Nice.

France has a long-lasting friendship with the United States, and French travelers are repeaters who will explore several regions of the country during their lifetime to discover off-the-beaten-path destinations. They are especially attracted to the South for its connection to French history, music (jazz, blues, soul, gospel, rock’n’roll…), authentic local food, historic plantations and Southern hospitality.

With direct flights from Paris to ATL, CVG and RDU, along with easy one-stop connections, the South has multiple gateways for French travelers. France is the third largest market for the region in Europe and the forecast is good for continued growth. Tour operators are building more and more tailor-made products for their clients, who are interested in authentic destinations like the South.

RESEARCH

France

Visits to the Travel South USA region 2010 - 2020(f)

 

MARKETING & SALES ACTIVITIES

Travel South USA has a year-round investment in travel trade strategies along with earned, owned and paid media to amplify our efforts in-market, including travel trade workshops/training regional road shows, recruitment of tour operators buyers to International Showcase, social media campaigns, cooperative event marketing with Brand USA and cooperative advertising efforts.