Visitors to Paris Increase After 2016 Downturn

Posted by David Johntson on August 17th, 2017

According to reports in February of this year, Paris saw a drop in visitor numbers in 2016. Figures released by the Regional Tourism Committee noted 1.5 million fewer holidaymakers last year compared to 2015, with Le Figaro reporting that the 0.8% drop in visitors cost the region 1.3 billion Euros. 

Many commentators have noted that the main reason for the drop in visitors is fears over security and terrorism, particularly in relation to the Charlie Hebdo attack in January 2015, and the subsequent attacks in November. 

The security fears appeared to be most prominent among Chinese and Japanese tourists, which is particularly painful for the region as they are among the biggest spenders in Paris. According to Les Galaries Lafayettes, the average Chinese shopper spends 1,400 Euros per visit to their department store, and are their main customers during busy periods. 

Europeans and Americans are less deterred however, with British visitors dropping by only 8.6%, Spanish visitors by 9.9% and Americans by 4.9%. 

Despite the drop, the Regional Tourism Committee revealed that although they expected visitor numbers to fall in the aftermath of the 2015 attacks, the drop wasn't as severe as they thought it would be. In the months since the figures were released, preliminary numbers suggest that visits to Paris - and France in general - are on the increase again. 

It's easy to understand why France is so popular as a tourist destination, offering travellers an unparalled combination of superb food, renowned wine producers, world-famous landmarks and stunning locations, from old world towns to modern cities, and from wondeful countryside to sun-soaked beaches. So popular is France as a destination, that even with the drop in Paris visitors, France remains the world's most visited country - welcoming over 80 million visitors in both 2015 and 2016.