With 85 million international arrivals in 2015, France is the world’s number 1 tourism destination. This is a position it has occupied for over 25 years, and that represents a genuine opportunity for the national economy. Nevertheless, the potential for growth is still highly significant, as the World Tourism Organisation predicts that international travel will double over the coming 20 years.
Tourism development
Atout France, the French government’s sole operator in terms of tourism development, is entrusted with contributing to the reinforcement of the attractiveness of Destination France and of the competitiveness of its companies and related sectors. Thanks to its 33 offices spread across 30 countries and to a strong collaboration with the Embassies in nearly 70 markets, this agency has developed a unique expertise along with a precise understanding of the international tourism clientele and of the various bodies involved in its distribution. They target the general public with a strong digital strategy – a website, www.france.fr, but also with communication campaigns and publications. Atout France promotional actions aim raising awareness of destination assets via exhibitions, workshops, sales calls, fam and press trips, press conferences; all designed for international travel-trade professionals and the media.
Brain storming and learning
Atout France also organises several market-leading trade shows every year, such as Rendez-vous en France which brings together, as well as Grand Ski, Destination Vignobles, France Meeting Hub…, in order to stimulate the tourism offer and enhance its quality.
Atout France organize many trade shows and workshops during the year in different cities such as Vienna, Rome or Paris that gathers thousands of experts from across Europe to discuss and exchange information – says the Atout director for Austria and Central Europe, Corinne Foulquier.
Factors that contribute to the assurance of quality are also headed up by Atout France: classification of tourist accommodation, registration of travel operators and also label schemes, such as the „Vignobles & Découvertes“ label for the wine tourism sector, used by 54 vineyards.
Thirty to forty thousand tourists from Croatia annually visits Alps. Croats often come to Paris, but they also discover other destinations. For example, last year, during the UEFA European Championship, numerous tourists from Croatia discovered Bordeaux. They often visit Aquitaine, France Basque and other parts of the country. Croats come to France to enjoy art, architecture and especially gastronomy. Our two countries are firmly connected with food and wine – says Corinne Foulquier.
Wine heaven
In 2015, France’s wine-making region of Champagne and a part of Burgundy have been granted “world heritage status” by the UNESCO. Both French sites are recognized for their vinicultural heritage; the hillsides, houses and cellars of Champagne around Reims and Epernay, and the 1,247 climates, or individual terroirs, of the Côte d’Or in Burgundy. The historic centers of Beaune and Dijon are also very well known. UNESCO praised the champagne vineyards of Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, as well as Saint-Nicaise Hill, a street in the regional capital Reims dotted with champagne houses. In Burgundy, the fields that grow vines on the slopes of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, south of the city of Dijon, are “an outstanding example of grape cultivation and wine production developed since the High Middle Ages”.
Gastronomy and sport
Creating and showcasing gastronomy trails in France is an integral part of Atout France’s key strategy, but also sport is very important.
When it comes to growing trends in French tourism, it is certainly gastronomy, but also the sport that is more and more in focus. In 2018. Ryder Cup will be held in France. It’s one of the most prestigious golfing competitions organized every two years – adds a tourism expert.
The Ryder Cup matches will be held at the Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, one of the few courses in Europe able to welcome 80,000 spectators. It takes place every two years. It is a trophy reward for the winners of a match between a European team and an American one. The greatest players have participated, and continue to participate in this event: Severiano Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods…
Magical destinations
Many people think that France is very expensive, but prices of accommodation are lower than in Italy, and the quality is often higher. You can contact local travel agencies – we have many experts who organize a tailor-made holidays designed to individual interests so that everyone can find something for themselves. Besides gastronomy and wine, religious tourism is also very important to us. There are Lourdes, Mont-Saint-Michel, Chartres and many other places where you can explore French heritage. Also it’s worth to spend a day at Saint-Émillion. The medieval atmosphere and vineyards cannot be described in words. And Chartres is a beautiful city. It is world famous for its cathedral listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO. Every nightfall from April to September, Chartres invites you to spend a magical night watching the “Lights of Chartres”. During these events, cultural and architectural monuments and attractions are lit up and accompanied by music – says Corinne Foulquier.
On 210 consecutive evenings the cathedral, the former Episcopal Palace, the Italian Theatre, the façades of the 3 city portals, churches, bridges, and streets in the upper city, all part of the cultural heritage, are highlighted and illuminated. The Festival of Lights takes place on Saturday, September 16th 2017.
