The figures show that 82 million foreign visitors arrived in France in 2007, up 4% on 2006. But the overall trend is down with fewer visitors than there were a decade ago. It would appear that although France is still the most popular country, worldwide tourists are spreading themselves across the globe.
According to Herve Novelli, a spokesman for the Ministry, the development of new resorts in Dubai, Croatia, Morocco and Tunisia has created some tough competition for the French tourism industry.
He says France is having to compete with new and high tech visitor attractions like Dubai's forthcoming Dubailand as well as with the exotic nature of locations such as Morocco and Tunisia.
Although France is number one, French tourism officials are taking the figures as a wake up call and are now planning various campaigns to ensure France is not knocked off its top spot.
Europeans accounted for 46% of visitors, with Germans, Britons and Belgians the main groups. However, the number of German tourists declined while there were increased numbers from Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
The information will be used to target new markets. Novelli said marketing campaigns will be aimed at encouraging visitors from new sectors such India, China, Russia, Brazil and Mexico. Mexican visitors have already increased by 14%.
But officials are confident about the 2008 season as the height of the holidays season begins today as schools across the country break up for the summer. Most tourists visit France in July and August than any other time of the year and most French also take holidays during this time.
