French passport ranked second according to Passport Index, France passport holders can travel visa-free to 162 countries and territories, enhancing opportunities for leisure, business, events, and meetings. This freedom significantly boosts global travel and tourism.
France’s robust tourism infrastructure, exceptional hospitality services, and diverse attractions continue to draw millions of visitors. The visa-free access for French citizens not only facilitates leisure travel but also promotes business and event tourism, contributing to global economic growth and international cooperation.
France is deeply committed to sustainability, with French tourists often willing to pay more for eco-friendly travel and accommodations compared to other Europeans. EU research indicates that nearly half of French citizens (48%) prioritize staying in sustainably certified lodgings. This growing environmental awareness is reflected in their travel choices, with many opting to travel less frequently but stay longer and favoring alternative transport options like trains over flights.
The number of outbound tourist trips from France saw a significant rise in 2022, recovering from the sharp decline during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. While outbound trips peaked at approximately 29.6 million in 2019, they plummeted to around 11 million in 2020 but rebounded to nearly 26.8 million by 2022. Air travel dominated the mode of transportation, with about 15.3 million departures by plane in 2022. According to Statista
France’s outbound tourism spending surged in 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels, with expenditures reaching around 49 billion USD. From 2019 to 2023, the French tourism sector expanded due to rising disposable incomes, enhanced air connectivity, and a growing interest in international travel experiences. In 2023, France reaffirmed its position as a leading outbound tourism market, with almost 50 million outbound visits and 60 billion EUR in overseas spending. Looking ahead, the sector is expected to grow from 37 million USD in 2024 to 56.8 million USD by 2034, with a projected CAGR of 4.3%.
Individuals holding a French passport enjoy the privilege of visa-free travel to 162 different countries and regions, enhancing their opportunities for leisure, business, events, and meetings, and significantly boosting global travel and tourism.
1. Gibraltar
2. Grenada
3. Saint Lucia
4. Colombia
5. Austria
6. American Samoa
7. Kiribati
8. Mongolia
9. Slovakia
10. Luxembourg
11. Guatemala
12. Italy
13. Zimbabwe
14. Mauritius
15. Norway
16. Estonia
17. Palau
18. Honduras
19. Turkey
20. Niue
21. Finland
22. Vietnam
23. Thailand
24. Botswana
25. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
26. Czechia
27. Panama
28. Samoa
29. Kosovo
30. Solomon Islands
31. Suriname
32. Moldova
33. Réunion
34. Bulgaria
35. Faroe Islands
36. Netherlands
37. Belgium
38. Cyprus
39. Fiji
40. Bermuda
41. Trinidad and Tobago
42. São Tomé and Príncipe
43. Hungary
44. Kenya
45. Denmark
46. Tonga
47. Myanmar
48. New Caledonia
49. United Kingdom
50. Lesotho
51. Greenland
52. Gabon
53. Slovenia
54. Russia
55. Japan
56. Anguilla
57. Poland
58. Brazil
59. Morocco
60. Uzbekistan
61. Seychelles
62. Gabon
63. Estonia
64. Japan
65. Albania
66. Northern Mariana Islands
67. Vanuatu
68. Guam
69. Cook Islands
70. Montenegro
71. Micronesia
72. Vietnam
73. Liechtenstein
74. Luxembourg
75. Samoa
76. Saint Martin
77. Nicaragua
78. Marshall Islands
79. Montenegro
80. Tunisia
81. Uruguay
82. French West Indies
83. Germany
84. Portugal
85. Saint Kitts and Nevis
86. Croatia
87. Laos
88. Palau
89. Sweden
90. Grenada
91. Eswatini
92. Palau
93. Norway
94. Malta
95. Palau
96. New Zealand
97. Bahamas
98. Kenya
99. Belgium
100. Philippines
101. Tonga
102. Bermuda
103. Croatia
104. Turkey
105. Uruguay
106. Mozambique
107. Fiji
108. Bulgaria
109. Denmark
110. Lithuania
111. Belize
112. Colombia
113. Switzerland
114. Latvia
115. Australia
116. Serbia
117. Nauru
118. Cook Islands
119. Cook Islands
120. Rwanda
121. Zimbabwe
122. Timor-Leste
123. Malta
124. Kazakhstan
125. Eswatini
126. Faroe Islands
127. Zambia
128. Netherlands
129. Malaysia
130. Kuwait
131. Guatemala
132. Israel
133. Colombia
134. Ecuador
135. Lithuania
136. Peru
137. Australia
138. Bahamas
139. Gambia
140. Tajikistan
141. Tanzania
142. Venezuela
143. Czechia
144. Barbados
145. Bosnia and Herzegovina
146. United States Virgin Islands
147. Philippines
148. Antigua and Barbuda
149. Estonia
150. Portugal
151. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
152. Suriname
153. Cyprus
154. Belize
155. United Arab Emirates
156. Samoa
157. Albania
158. Saudi Arabia
159. Papua New Guinea
160. Honduras
161. Argentina
162. Hungary
France’s commitment to sustainable tourism, combined with a strong rebound in outbound travel, underscores its pivotal role in the global tourism landscape. The increased willingness of French tourists to invest in eco-friendly options and their preference for longer stays and alternative travel methods reflect a growing environmental consciousness. With outbound tourism spending nearly back to pre-pandemic levels and projections indicating substantial growth, France continues to be a major player in international tourism. This trajectory not only highlights the resilience of the French travel sector but also its potential for further expansion and innovation in the coming years.
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