The World Tourism Fair was held from March 16 to 19 at Paris-Expo Porte de Versailles and welcomed, over 4 days, 66,500 visits and 230 exhibitors over 8,500 m2 of exhibition space. A number of visits down 6% compared to the previous edition due to disruptions linked to strikes and demonstrations.
However, the 4 days were punctuated by consistent daily attendance, numerous exchanges, highly acclaimed conferences and events reflecting the cultural richness of the destinations represented at the show.
New visitors with holiday plans
With nearly a quarter of new visitors and an increase in the overall budget devoted to holidays, up 5% (€3,574 vs. €3,414 in 2022), holiday plans are indeed a short-term priority for the public coming to meeting exhibitors: 44% plan to book following their visit to the show.
The rate of holiday project leaders is back to its pre-COVID colors with 91% of visitors having projects for the coming months.
Professional visitors also visited the show: nearly 350 professionals and 319 group leaders were able to find tours or stays to offer their customers. There were many students at the meeting: 643 were present, to meet the actors of their future*.
What travel plans in 2023
Travel plans are planned from May for 25% of visitors, then in June for 28%. The off-season is also popular with a month of September which concentrates 38% of travel intentions, 28% for the month of October. The months of July and August are mentioned by only 20% and 21% of them respectively.
Desires from elsewhere are very strong and are distributed as follows in terms of destinations: Europe 51%, Asia 34%, North America 25%, South America 20%, Indian Ocean islands 19%.
On the side of the exhibitors
230 exhibitors offered a rich and varied offer in terms of destinations and types of tourism players represented. Their satisfaction rate is 78% (82% in 2022), a satisfaction driven by high-quality visitors, as demonstrated by the rate of project leaders and the average budget of visitors.
A place of life, exchanges and sharing
To support visitors in their research, the show offered a full program of thematic conferences (France or international) reflecting current trends, nearly 850 visitors attended and were able to chat live with the professionals present. 11 conferences were dedicated to tourism professionals and brought together 275 participants.
Capable of bringing together the major players in the sector, the Salon Mondial du Tourisme is the only Parisian event to offer such a varied holiday and travel offer.
More than ever, it remains a unifying and privileged place to find inspiration, get information, give birth to a project, or book your future stay…
The press was also present
288 journalists made the trip and relayed the show’s news on television: TF1, France 2, M6, BFM,
C8, i24News, but also on the radio: Europe 1, Europe 2, France Bleu 107.1, France Culture, France Info, France
Inter, Radio Classique, RCF Lyon Fourvière, RFI, RTL…
The La Plume d’Or Luncheon organized by ADONET (Association of Foreign National Tourist Offices present in France) in partnership with the World Tourism Fair, was held on the first day of the show. The ADONET Golden Plume, honoring the journalist who has done the best to promote tourism abroad, was awarded to Marine SANCLEMENTE, journalist at Figaro Magazine. La Plume d’Or was launched by ADONET in 1958.
