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As protests against overtourism have intensified in Barcelona in recent days, French holidaymakers have undoubtedly felt concerned if they have chosen Spain as their holiday destination this summer. It is indeed their favourite country when they decide to leave France during the summer.
It is estimated that 31.3 million French people will go on holiday during the key summer period of July and August. A calculation shared a few days ago by the Protourisme firm, which advises a variety of tourism players – from tourist offices to tour operators – and identifies travel trends. Thus, the estimates put at ten million holidaymakers who cross the French borders to sunbathe abroad. A choice that many studies had already highlighted in recent months. According to the Easyvoyage* barometer, it is 50/50 when it comes to opting for France or abroad. For its part, Ipsos, which carried out a study for Europ Assistance**, estimates that 39% of French people plan to go abroad “for at least part of their vacation”.
In any case, the project of holidays outside the French soil would be more of a habit taken by the people of the Paris region, more than the inhabitants of the regions. According to Protourisme, this is the case for 40% of the population of the capital region, a proportion up five points compared to 2023, against 20% for the inhabitants of small and medium-sized towns (-3 points). We would also go abroad more when we are alone, according to the travel comparator Liligo which speaks of 61% of followers against 65% of French families who stay in France.
What are the best holiday destinations abroad?
Many travelers were probably surprised by the slogans written on the banners of the protesters in Barcelona who shared their exasperation with the consequences of overtourism. One could read, for example, “tourists, go home.” Last spring, the Canary Islands (which are also Spanish) were also shaken by the same type of demonstrations. Last year, Spain welcomed 85.1 million foreign visitors, mainly from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. A record that puts the country of Cervantes behind France as the second largest tourist destination in the world. And this is not about to change since a Deloitte/Google study estimated last June that Spain should climb to the top step of the podium by 2040.
Once again this year, all the studies conducted in France indicate Spain as the preferred destination for summer holidays. Because holidaymakers are primarily looking for the sun during this period. Even if we are increasingly talking about “coolcation”, this new trend consisting of preferring the mild climate of cooler destinations such as Scandinavia due to global warming, this type of holiday has not become widespread. For Ipsos/EuropAssitance as well as for Protourisme, Spain and Italy represent the two countries most envied by French tourists.
Although there is much talk – and rightly so – about the dazzling success of tourism in Greece, the land of Zeus actually attracts only 5% of those leaving, just like Portugal (tied), according to figures from Ipsos/EuropAssistance. In three-quarters of cases (74% for Easyvoyage), the French stay in Europe. Long-haul travel concerns only a small minority: 13% in Africa, 7% in America and 3% in Asia.
*Study conducted in 21 countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Australia. For each of these countries, 1,000 citizens aged 18 and over responded to an online questionnaire. The survey was conducted from March 27 to April 22.
**This survey, conducted among 2,553 respondents divided into three age groups representative of the French population (Young workers: 18 to 34 years old > 18% vs 25% Insee/Workers: 35 to 65 years old > 50.3% vs 48% Insee/Seniors: 65 years old and over > 31.7% vs 27% Insee).
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