French National Tourist Office

French National Tourist Office. The French National Tourist Office, also known as Atout France, is responsible for promoting France as a tourist destination, working closely with French Ministry of Tourism, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and International Council of Tourism Partners. It collaborates with various stakeholders, including Air France, SNCF, and Accor Hotels, to develop and implement tourism strategies. The office also partners with regional tourism boards, such as Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau and French Riviera Tourist Board, to showcase the diversity of French regions like Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Normandy.

● Introduction

The French National Tourist Office plays a crucial role in promoting French culture, French cuisine, and French heritage to attract visitors from around the world, particularly from United States, China, Japan, and United Kingdom. It works with French Embassy and Consulate General of France to facilitate travel and tourism between France and other countries, such as Germany, Italy, and Spain. The office also collaborates with European Travel Commission and World Tourism Organization to develop sustainable tourism practices and promote European tourism.

● History

The French National Tourist Office was established in 1948 as a response to the growing demand for international tourism after World War II. Since its inception, the office has worked closely with French government agencies, such as French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and French Ministry of Economy and Finance, to develop and implement tourism policies. The office has also partnered with private sector companies, including Carrefour, Renault, and L'Oréal, to promote French products and services. Over the years, the office has contributed to the growth of French tourism industry, which has become a significant contributor to the country's GDP, along with European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.

● Organization

The French National Tourist Office is headquartered in Paris and has a network of regional offices in France and abroad, including New York City, London, and Tokyo. The office is led by a director-general, who is appointed by the French Minister of Tourism, and is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of tourism strategies. The office also has a team of experts in areas such as marketing, communication, and sustainable tourism, who work with UNEP, WWF, and The Nature Conservancy to promote ecotourism and responsible tourism practices.

● Activities

The French National Tourist Office engages in a range of activities to promote France as a tourist destination, including advertising campaigns with Publicis Groupe and Havas Group, public relations with Edelman and Weber Shandwick, and event management with Europ Assistance and Allianz Partners. The office also provides information and support to tour operators, travel agents, and tourists, through partnerships with Expedia Group and Booking Holdings. Additionally, the office works with French regions to develop and promote tourism products and services, such as wine tourism in Bordeaux and Champagne (region), and ski tourism in French Alps with Ski Club of Great Britain and National Ski Areas Association.

● Tourism Statistics

According to World Tourism Organization, France is one of the most visited countries in the world, with over 89 million international tourist arrivals in 2019. The country's tourism industry generates significant revenue, with tourism receipts totaling over 56 billion euros in 2019. The French National Tourist Office works with INSEE and Eurostat to monitor and analyze tourism statistics, and to develop strategies to promote sustainable tourism practices and manage tourism growth in popular destinations like Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, and Notre-Dame de Paris.

● Regional Offices

The French National Tourist Office has a network of regional offices in France and abroad, which work to promote French regions and destinations. These offices collaborate with regional tourism boards and local authorities to develop and promote tourism products and services, such as city breaks in Lyon and Marseille, and rural tourism in Dordogne and Loire Valley with European Rural Tourism and International Ecotourism Society. The regional offices also provide support to tour operators and travel agents to help them develop and sell French tourism products, through partnerships with TUI Group and Thomas Cook Group.