Travel And Tourism in France

Euromonitor International's Travel And Tourism in France report offers a comprehensive guide to the market at a national level. It looks at travel accommodation, transportation, car rental, tourist attractions and retail travel. It identifies the leading companies and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market, including background information on disposable income, annual leave and holiday taking habits.

Buy online to access strategic market analysis and an interactive statistical database of market size data for travel accommodation, transportation, car rental, travel retail, tourism attractions and health and wellness tourism, tourism inflows and outflows, tourism spending and company and brand shares.

Why buy this report

• Get insight into trends in market performance
• Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
• Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment

Product coverage

Car rental; Demand factors; Health & wellness tourism; Tourism flows domestic; Tourism flows inbound; Tourism flows outbound; Tourism receipts and expenditure; Tourist attractions; Transportation; Travel accommodation; Travel retail

Executive summary

The economic climate impacts French travel and tourism industry in 2008

Inbound and outbound tourism flows in France were impacted by the unstable economic climate in 2008, forcing many French people to change their travel habits. Departure rates have remained stable but the duration of holidays has decreased with many people also choosing to remain in France instead of going abroad. For those who decided to go abroad on holiday, favoured destinations were those close at hand or destinations which offered a favourable exchange rate. In terms of arrivals, growth has slowed, especially for “dollar” countries such as the US, or Japan.

Price has become a key factor influencing trip characteristics

With the rise in fuel prices up to the third quarter of 2008, and the loss of purchasing power, price has become increasingly important to consumers in their buying decisions. In terms of transport, low-cost carriers have continued to develop at a rapid rate and train transportation has also grown. In travel retail, customers favoured last minute bookings, discounted packages and promotional offers. Seasonality has also been affected with a growing number of tourists going on holiday outside the summer season. More people have opted to stay with friends and family to reduce accommodation expenses. Tourism spending was also impacted by a change in spending patterns, particularly shopping spending which decreased dramatically in 2008.

France loses ground as a tourist haven in 2008

The international tourist market is developing and France is facing increasing competition with the emergence of new tourist destinations such as Dubai, China and Croatia. France suffers from structural weaknesses in terms of accommodation standards and from the stagnation in tourist spending. As a result, France’s market share decreased in 2008. France remained the leading destination in the world in terms of number of arrivals and ranked third in terms of tourist receipts.

Internet and new customer demands transform travel retail

Information, counselling and booking services, previously provided by agencies, are now largely available on the internet, which offers considerable flexibility. Internet reservations have continued to grow at a rapid rate in 2008. Demand for customisation has developed, as illustrated by the success of flight-only bookings and of dynamic packages. As a consequence of these trends, the travel retail scene is changing significantly. The French market, although fairly fragmented compared to other European countries, has entered a phase of rationalisation. Traditional agencies are in the process of redefining their roles and finding new leverages upon which to develop sales.

Prospects for tourism in France remain encouraging

Travel and tourism continue to be on the rise worldwide and the World Tourism Organisation expects tourism flows to grow over 80% by 2020. France has specific advantages that are bound to keep attracting tourists on an international scale. Its central position in Europe makes visiting the country almost inevitable when travellers pass through the continent and its coast and mountain areas are clear assets. New tourist flows from emerging countries such as Russia, China, the Emirates, India, Brazil and Mexico have begun to emerge and are expected to develop rapidly, to the extent that France will become a highly favoured destination for tourists from these countries. French tourism is also likely to benefit from the country having a population with the oldest average age in Western Europe, a key demographic target for tourist players, and one which is still growing. On the domestic front, there is still room for penetration growth since 40% of French people did not take holidays over four nights’ duration in 2008. Exogenous factors such as the continuing rise of low cost airlines and a new government programme, “France destination 2020”, which aims to spur tourism growth, are also likely to contribute to the development of tourism in the country.

Table of contents

TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN FRANCE : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The economic climate impacts French travel and tourism industry in 2008

Price has become a key factor influencing trip characteristics

France loses ground as a tourist haven in 2008

Internet and new customer demands transform travel retail

Prospects for tourism in France remain encouraging

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Economic Indicators

Legislative environment – open skies agreement between Europe and the US

Legislative environment – reform of the booking channel code of conduct

Legislative environment – visas

Government tourism policy

Sustainable tourism

Consumer lifestyles

Low-cost carriers

Emerging niche sectors

Internet developments

TERRORISM AND SECURITY

LEAVE ENTITLEMENT

CONSUMER DEMOGRAPHICS

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 1 Leave Entitlement: Volume 2005-2008

Table 2 Holiday Demographic Trends 2003-2008

Table 3 Holiday Takers by Sex 2003-2008

Table 4 Holiday Takers by Age 2003-2008

Table 5 Length of Domestic Trips: 2003-2008

Table 6 Length of Outbound Departure: 2003-2008

Table 7 Seasonality of Trips 2005-2008

MARKET DATA

Table 8 Balance of Tourism Payments: Value 2003-2008

DEFINITIONS

Tourism parameters

Travel accommodation

Transportation

Car rental

Travel retail

Tourist attractions

Health and wellness

Internet sales

Internet sales: dynamic packaging

Internet sales: traditional package holiday

Summary 1 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - FRANCE

AIR FRANCE GROUP SA - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 2 Air France Group SA: Key Facts

Summary 3 Air France Group SA: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 4 Air France Group SA: Competitive Position 2008

CLUB MED GROUP - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 5 Club Méditerranée Group: Key Facts

Summary 6 Club Méditerranée Group: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 7 Club Méditerranée Group: Competitive Position 2008

EASYGROUP LTD - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 8 easyGroup Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 9 easyGroup Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 10 easyGroup Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

SOCIéTé DU LOUVRE SA - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 11 Société du Louvre SA: Key Facts

Summary 12 Société du Louvre SA: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 13 Société du Louvre SA: Competitive Position 2008

TOURISM FLOWS INBOUND IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

INBOUND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

MODE OF TRANSPORT

PURPOSE OF VISIT

CITY ARRIVALS

INCOMING TOURIST RECEIPTS BY COUNTRY

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 9 Arrivals by City in France 2007/2008

Table 10 Arrivals by Country of Origin: 2003-2008

Table 11 Leisure Arrivals by Type 2005-2008

Table 12 Business Arrivals: MICE Penetration 2005-2008

Table 13 Arrivals by Method of Transport: 2003-2008

Table 14 Arrivals by Purpose of Visit: 2003-2008

Table 15 Incoming Tourist Receipts by Country: Value 2003-2008

Table 16 Tourism Expenditure by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 17 Method of Payments for Incoming Tourist Receipts: % Breakdown 2005-2008

Table 18 Forecast Arrivals by Country of Origin: 2008-2013

Table 19 Forecast Arrivals by Method of Transport: 2008-2013

Table 20 Forecast Arrivals by Purpose of Visit: 2008-2013

Table 21 Forecast Incoming Tourist Receipts by Country: Value 2008-2013

TOURISM FLOWS OUTBOUND IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

DESTINATIONS

OUTBOUND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

MODE OF TRANSPORT

PURPOSE OF VISIT

OUTGOING TOURIST EXPENDITURE BY COUNTRY

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 22 Departures by Destination: 2003-2008

Table 23 Leisure Departures by Type 2005-2008

Table 24 Business Departures: MICE Penetration % Breakdown 2005-2008

Table 25 Departures by Method of Transport: 2003-2008

Table 26 Departures by Purpose of Visit: 2003-2008

Table 27 Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Country: Value 2003-2008

Table 28 Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 29 Method of Payments for Outgoing Tourism Spending: % Breakdown 2005-2008

Table 30 Forecast Departures by Destination: 2008-2013

Table 31 Forecast Departures by Method of Transport: 2008-2013

Table 32 Forecast Departures by Purpose of Visit: 2008-2013

Table 33 Forecast Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Country: Value 2008-2013

TOURISM FLOWS DOMESTIC IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

DESTINATIONS

MODE OF TRANSPORT

PURPOSE OF VISIT

DOMESTIC TOURIST EXPENDITURE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 34 Domestic Trips by Destination: 2003-2008

Table 35 Domestic Trips by Purpose of Visit and by Method of Transport: 2003-2008

Table 36 Domestic Tourist Expenditure: Value: 2003-2008

Table 37 Method of Payments for Domestic Tourism Spending: % Breakdown 2005-2008

Table 38 Forecast Domestic Trips by Purpose of Visit and by Method of Transport: 2008-2013

Table 39 Forecast Domestic Tourist Expenditure: Value: 2008-2013

TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

HOTELS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 40 Hotel Performance in France 2007/2008

Table 41 Travel Accommodation Sales by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 42 Travel Accommodation Outlets by Sector: Units 2003-2008

Table 43 Travel Accommodation by Sector: Number of Rooms 2003-2008

Table 44 Regional Hotel Parameters 2008

Table 45 Travel Accommodation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008

Table 46 Hotel National Brand Owners by Market Share 2004-2008

Table 47 Hotels National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008

Table 48 Forecast Travel Accommodation Sales by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 49 Forecast Travel Accommodation Outlets by Sector: Units 2008-2013

Table 50 Forecast Travel Accommodation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013

TRANSPORTATION IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

AIRLINES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 51 Transportation Sales by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 52 Airline Capacity: 2003-2008

Table 53 Airline Utilisation: 2003-2008

Table 54 Airline Passengers Carried by Distance: % Breakdown: 2003-2008

Table 55 Transportation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008

Table 56 Airline Market Shares 2004-2008

Table 57 Airlines National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008

Table 58 Forecast Transportation Sales by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 59 Forecast Transportation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013

CAR RENTAL IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 60 Car Rental Sales by Sector and Location: Value 2003-2008

Table 61 Structure of Car Rental Market: 2003-2008

Table 62 Average Car Rental Duration by Sector 2004-2008

Table 63 Average Car Rental Duration: % Breakdown 2004-2008

Table 64 Time of Booking: % Breakdown 2005-2008

Table 65 Car Rental Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008

Table 66 Car Rental Market Shares 2004-2008

Table 67 Car Rental National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008

Table 68 Forecast Car Rental Sales by Sector and Location: Value 2008-2013

Table 69 Forecast Car Rental Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013

TRAVEL RETAIL IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

GROWTH SECTORS

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 70 Travel Retail Outlets by Sector: Units 2003-2008

Table 71 Travel Retail Products Sales: Value 2003-2008

Table 72 Travel Retail Sales by Destination: % Value Breakdown 2003-2008

Table 73 Travel Retail Online Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008

Table 74 Travel Retail Products Market Shares 2004-2008

Table 75 Travel Retail Products National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008

Table 76 Forecast Travel Retail Outlets by Sector: Units 2008-2013

Table 77 Forecast Travel Retail Products Sales: Value 2008-2013

Table 78 Forecast Travel Retail Online Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 79 Tourist Attractions Sales by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 80 Tourist Attractions Visitors by Sector: 2003-2008

Table 81 Tourist Attractions Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008

Table 82 Leading Tourist Attractions by Visitors 2003-2008

Table 83 Forecast Tourist Attractions Sales by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 84 Forecast Tourist Attractions Visitors by Sector: 2008-2013

Table 85 Forecast Tourist Attractions Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013

HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 86 Number of Hotel/Resort Spas: Units 2003-2008

Table 87 Health & Wellness Tourism Sales by Type: Value 2003-2008

Table 88 Spa Consumer Markets: Domestic Tourism 2005-2008

Table 89 Spa Consumer Markets: Arrivals 2005-2008

Table 90 Forecast Health & Wellness Tourism Sales by Type: Value 2008-2013