The research goes on to show that while domestic spending is set to increase by 56.6% year on year in 2021, international spending could decrease 1.9% this year.
However – next year – while domestic spending is set to rise once again, with a year on year growth of 9.9%, international spending is expected to rebound 67.8%, in turn providing a massive boost to both jobs and employment.
In terms of employment, the French Travel & Tourism sector supported almost 2.7 million jobs before the pandemic struck.
After suffering a loss of almost 200,000 jobs last year, the research shows that employment is set to remain stagnant in 2021.
However, again the outlook is more positive next year with an expected rise of 9.4%, providing an additional 236,000 jobs across the country.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Our latest research shows that France’s Travel & Tourism sector is beginning to recover faster than its neighbors although there is still a long way to go.
“Last year the pandemic saw hundreds of thousands of jobs lost in France. This year employment remains flat, but we expect to see a big uptick in Travel & Tourism in France next year as long as the country remains open to vaccinated travelers.”
According to the research, the sector’s contribution to the region’s GDP and the rise in jobs could be more positive this year and next, if five vital measures are met by governments worldwide.
These measures include allowing fully vaccinated travelers to move freely, irrespective of their origin or eventual destination.
