Paris (TAN): France in 2018 welcomed a whopping 89.4 million tourists, up from 87 million in 2017.
According to media reports, the government’s tourism committee said: “France remained the world’s top destination in 2018.”
The surge in tourist numbers comes despite the anti-government Yellow Vest protests in Paris and elsewhere across the country. France has now set the target to attract 100 million international tourists and general EUR 50 billion in tourism dollars in 2020.
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Paris has also scored in terms of hosting international meeting and conferences with 212 meetings in 2018 that comply with International Congress and Convention Association’s criteria, up from 190 in 2017. Vienna is in second place with 172 events. Madrid (165), Barcelona (163) and Berlin (162) are also in the top five, says a statement by the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“Business tourism is a major asset for Paris: trade shows and conferences generate EUR 5.5 billion in economic benefits each year and have a direct impact on employment (85,000 full-time equivalent positions),” said Corinne Menegaux, the managing director of Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
