France Remains Most Popular Destination in the World

Image: PHOTO: The legendary Louvre, home of the underwhelming Mona Lisa. (Photo via Flickr/Alejandro)
Image: PHOTO: The legendary Louvre, home of the underwhelming Mona Lisa. (Photo via Flickr/Alejandro)
Janeen Christoff
by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 6:00 PM ET, Mon February 13, 2017

It is going to take a lot to topple France from atop the list of the world's most popular destinations. According to a new report on AOL's UK site, France remains in the top spot.

"More than 82.5 million tourists visited France in 2016, meaning it kept its most popular title, despite visitor figures being down from 85 million in 2015," writes Ruth Doherty.

Despite a drop in tourism numbers, France is committed to maintaining its hold on the top spot with a lofty tourism goal for the future.

"According to Travel + Leisure, the French government last year announced that it planned to spend 10 million euro on a tourism advertising campaign to battle negative effects from attacks, and aimed to attract 100 million tourists by 2020," reports Doherty.

[READMORE]READ MORE: Eiffel Tower Will Be Secured by Bullet-Proof Glass [/READMORE]

There is a lot within the country to drive visitors.

"Whether you fancy a city break in Paris or Marseille, a ski holiday in the French Alps, a relaxing rural escape in Bordeaux or Brittany, or soaking up the sun in the glamor of the Riviera, the country is diverse enough to give you any type of holiday you wish," notes Doherty.

For more on how France continues to maintain its popularity, read on here.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Authentically Mediterranean: Discover Celestyal’s New Western Mediterranean Itineraries & Iconic ClassicsTuesday, July 21, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
The Mediterranean is more than just a destination, it’s our home. Join Celestyal to learn why we are...
Upcoming Webinar
July The Travel Corporation WebinarTuesday, July 21, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...
Upcoming Webinar
Authentically Mediterranean: Discover Celestyal’s New Western Mediterranean Itineraries & Iconic ClassicsTuesday, July 21, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
The Mediterranean is more than just a destination, it’s our home. Join Celestyal to learn why we are...
Upcoming Webinar
July The Travel Corporation WebinarTuesday, July 21, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...