Investment Property in France

Tourism

Popular destination

France is the most popular travel destination in the world, attracting 78 million visitors in 2006 despite growing competition from other destinations. It is also the second most popular destination for UK tourists to visit, after Spain. There is no doubt how important tourism is to the French economy, and that demand for this industry is supported by the diversity of year-round tourist attractions.

Economic importance

The tourism sector contributes 6.5% of France’s GDP, and around 2 million people are employed in the industry either directly or indirectly. The figures from the Tourism Ministry suggest that the industry is still growing, as tourism revenues in 2006 had risen by 2.5% on the previous year’s total of €34 billion.

Domestic travel

Domestic tourism is an important part of the industry. Although the French are generally well travelled and have a well-developed world view, there is a culture of internal travel and many French families are more than comfortable holidaying in their own country.

Leisure tourism

The beaches of the north-west are always popular with those who prefer to avoid high temperatures, and there are many popular campsites and caravan parks in this region. More adventurous types may prefer the extreme sports in the Massif Central and superb surfing along the Atlantic coast. France also has an ever-growing number of golf courses springing up around the country – golf is the fastest growing sport in the country, with up to 70% more French people playing every year.

Year-round attractions

The winter ski season sees the Alpine resorts full of skiers and snowboarders. Spring is the perfect time to visit Paris, before it gets too hot or indeed too busy with tourists from other parts of the world. Taking the example of Parisians as a cue, the smart tourists move to the sunny beaches of the Cote d'Azur for the summer months.

Accommodation types

Most hotels are family-run in the smaller resorts, and larger chain hotels are only found in the bigger tourist centres – look to the old, grand resorts for the really hip hotels and boutique residences. Biarritz, Cannes, Nice, Bordeaux, Le Touquet and Courchevel all boast new and exciting hotels. Self-catering accommodation remains a very popular option for many and with the opportunity to eat out for less than in the UK, it is little surprise that people take this option.