France generated €37.3 billion in international tourism revenue during the first half of 2025, marking a 13.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the French Ministry of Tourism. The country recorded nearly 290 million overnight stays, with hotel bookings up 7% and stays in tourist apartments and rural accommodations rising 11%.
Growth was driven by rising visitor numbers from key markets including Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan. France also recorded a 2.5% increase in international air arrivals, reinforcing its trajectory toward the national goal of €100 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2030.
Strong Demand Across Source Markets
Germany led year-on-year growth with a 25.1% increase in visitor numbers, followed by the Netherlands at 17.6%. Outside of Europe, tourism from the United States rose 12.5%, while Japanese arrivals increased 10.2%. American visitors became the second-highest revenue source market, trailing only Belgium and ahead of the UK and Germany.
France also saw significant gains from Australia (+30%), Canada (+9.35%), and China (+2.85%). Within Europe, Sweden and Denmark recorded sharp increases in air arrivals, with 16.6% and 16.2% respectively. These trends helped push total international arrivals by air up 2.5% between January and June.
Overnight Stays and Regional Performance
International overnight stays increased across all categories. Hotels reported a 7% increase, while short-term rental properties and rural lodging grew by 11%. The combined overnight stays reached nearly 290 million during the six-month period, reflecting high demand across both urban centers and rural destinations.
Domestic tourism remained steady, supporting overall occupancy levels across regions. The Ministry noted that tourism contributed €11.8 billion to the national balance of payments in the first half of the year, a 14.9% increase year-over-year.
Outlook: Olympic Momentum and Strategic Targets
The Ministry of Tourism expects air arrivals to continue increasing into the autumn, forecasting 7.7% growth in international arrivals between September and November. The positive momentum follows a strong 2024, when France earned €71 billion from international tourism, up from €63.5 billion in 2023.
Officials credit part of the 2025 surge to the continued “Olympic effect,” as well as sustained global demand for French culture, gastronomy, and regional experiences. In response, France continues to invest in infrastructure, sustainability, and diversification of tourism offerings to achieve the strategic goal of €100 billion in annual international tourism receipts by 2030.
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