Overview

(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)

(Figures in USD millions; * Estimated figures)

Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, National: Travel & Tourism Office

The United States remains one of the top choices among long-haul destinations for French travelers.  In 2023, France ranked number 3 among European markets after the United Kingdom and Germany, and sixth in the world.  In 2023, the U.S. attracted 1,592,934 million French travelers, an increase of +20.02% from December 2022.

Best Prospects:  

The United States is a popular destination for French travelers, ranked number one among long-haul destinations.  California, the U.S. National Parks, New York, and Florida remain the favorite destinations.  Other regions such as the Southwest, Rocky Mountain states, and the Deep South (Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee) are becoming popular, particularly with second or third-time visitors.  The French are highly fond of culture and history. Many French travelers choose cities renowned for their artwork or museums (New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago).  Additionally, images of cowboys and Native Americans surrounded by open spaces, as made popular by American TV shows and movies, remain vivid in the French imagination, which explains why Western states such as Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico are popular in France.

With Covid-19, French tourists preferred off-the-beaten-track destinations and outdoor activities.  They might discover new National Parks & Reserves, Landmarks, and some states known for their natural beauty like Oregon, Washington State, and Alaska.  One of the consequences of the pandemic crisis is that French travelers seem ready to make greater use of the services of tourism professionals in the future.  

The French have five weeks of paid vacation per year.  The average length of stay in the United States is approximately two weeks.  The French are very individualistic in their travel behavior, which explains why 70% percent choose “Fly and Drive” options.  Nevertheless, some travelers, mainly retired people, prefer organized trips.

Nine carriers offer non-stop flights from France to the United States.  The U.S. carriers are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United.  The European carriers are Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, French Bee, La Compagnie, and Norse Atlantic Airways.  The airlines have almost reached the same capacity as they had in 2019. 

The Visit USA Committee France

Following the closing of the United States Travel and Tourism Administration (USTTA) in 1996, the U.S. Commercial Service has supported the establishment of the Visit USA Committee, a private industry association aimed at promoting the United States as a travel and tourism destination.  The U.S. Commercial Service in Paris actively supports the Visit USA Committee in France.  The Visit USA Committee, with 170 members, is one of the biggest Visit USA in the world.

The Visit USA Committee organizes a wide range of promotional actions: travel trade fairs, workshops, e-learning programs for travel agents, the Visit USA Media Awards ceremony, video clips, and monthly newsletters dedicated to the trade, press, and consumers.  They have a dynamic website, and they are in all the major social media networks, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Visit USA Committee France: https://www.office-tourisme-usa.com/

Contact for information and registration: Delphine Aubert, General Manager, d.aubert@office-tourisme-usa.com

Facebook: https//www.facebook.com/pages/Visit-USA-Committee-France

Twitter: @OTdesUSA, https://twitter.com/parisotc?lang=en

Instagram : Office du Tourisme des USA                                                                                                    

Major travel trade fair:

IFTM (International French Travel Market)

Location: Paris – Expo Porte de Versailles
Dates: September 17-19, 2024
Number of visitors: 40,000 
Show Organizer: Reed Exhibitions France
Website: https://www.iftm.fr/en-gb.html

B-For will organize a USA pavilion at IFTM 2024 with the collaboration of the Visit USA Committee and the U.S. Commercial Service at the American Embassy Paris.  The USA pavilion will host 25+ U.S. exhibitors.  

Contact for Registration: Michael Walsh, General Manager, mwalsh@b-for.com

Website: https://www.b-for.com/

Workshops:

In 2024, the Visit USA Committee will organize 4 workshops (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille) for travel agencies with the collaboration of the U.S. Commercial Service, and APPs.

Web Resources:

To learn more about opportunities in the travel and tourism industry in [Australia], please visit our Travel and Tourism Top Export Market Ranking

Visit USA Committee France: https://www.office-tourisme-usa.com/
IFTM (International French Travel Market): https://www.iftm.fr/
U.S. Department of Commerce / ITA / National Travel & Tourism Office: https://www.trade.gov/national-travel-and-tourism-office

American Embassy – U.S. Commercial Service

Valérie Ferrière, Trade Specialist, Tel: (33) 1 43 12 70 77,  Valerie.Ferriere@trade.gov