Photo: Wirestock on FreepikSpain is currently the favorite tourist destination in the world and has been in first place since 2021. It is expected to be visited by 89.5 million tourists by 2025. However, according to GlobalData forecasts, France will surpass Spain and take first place by 2025, when it is expected to be visited by 93.7 million tourists, according to investitor.me.
"Visits to France and Spain will remain strong in the years to come, and festivals, culture and gastronomy will be a great advantage," said Hannah Free, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, in a statement. "Both countries have something to offer visitors, with their unique culture, cuisine and atmosphere. Both countries are also relatively large, with diverse landscapes, and each country has its unique coastline."
What makes France such a popular tourist destination?
France is picturesque and has one of the most famous food and cuisine cultures in the world. It offers a multitude of unique art museums, ancient architecture, rich history, and of course, the iconic Eiffel Tower - which looks much more stunning in person than in photos.
It is easily accessible by train for travelers within Europe and shares borders with eight different countries, which likely contributes to why 80% of visitors to France are European tourists, according to London's The Telegraph.
Transportation is one of the factors that GlobalData cites as a French advantage, including the new railway line currently being built.
"One of the key transport projects in Western Europe is the Ultra Rapid Train line that the European Commission plans to improve connectivity between Lisbon in Portugal and Helsinki in Finland," the statement said. "The program includes the construction of 8,000 kilometers of high-speed rail network with two tracks between Lisbon and Helsinki, with a loop around the Baltic Sea. The rail line will pass through Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland."
Source: investitor.me
