Published on
October 14, 2025
In recent months, Greece has emerged as a dominant force in French travel, experiencing a remarkable 15% growth in bookings. This surge in popularity is part of a broader trend that reflects a shift in French travelers’ preferences towards Mediterranean destinations. Greece’s proximity, stunning landscapes, rich history, and favorable travel conditions have contributed to its rising appeal. Meanwhile, other destinations like the United States, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic have also seen increases in bookings, though not as pronounced as Greece’s. The United States continues to draw interest despite challenges, while Spain benefits from its close ties to French culture and proximity. Tunisia and Morocco show moderate growth, particularly as they remain popular for budget-conscious travelers seeking warmer climates. Mexico and the Dominican Republic, however, have faced hurdles in attracting French tourists, grappling with economic and geopolitical factors that have impacted long-haul travel. As the tourism landscape shifts, Greece’s impressive 15% growth reflects a broader trend of French travelers opting for destinations that are both culturally rich and easily accessible.
the latest EDV Tourist Barometer, Greece is ranked as the fifth most popular vacation destination for French travelers in September. Despite this high ranking, France remains the number one choice, although the country experienced an 8% decrease in bookings. Spain follows in second place, recording a notable increase of 12.6% in bookings, signaling a rebound in demand. Tunisia and Morocco occupy the fourth and fifth positions, respectively. Tunisia, however, saw a significant drop of 15.1% in bookings, while Morocco experienced an 8.1% increase, indicating that demand for the destination is growing.
Looking ahead to the All Saints’ Day holiday (November 1), which marks the beginning of the autumn vacation period in France, Greece remains a favorite destination among French travelers. This holiday typically lasts for about two weeks, offering a perfect opportunity for short getaways. For this period, bookings for Greece have increased by 8.3%, reinforcing the trend of interest in Mediterranean destinations. Despite the positive showing for Greece, France continues to dominate as the most chosen destination for the All Saints’ holiday, although it saw a decline of 6.5% in bookings compared to the previous year. Spain, Tunisia, and Morocco follow as the second, third, and fourth most popular destinations, respectively. While Spain saw a marginal increase of 0.2% in bookings, Tunisia experienced a significant 11.7% drop, while Morocco saw a modest 4.5% rise.
This pattern of French travelers seeking closer destinations is becoming increasingly evident, as long-haul travel continues to face challenges. While some destinations abroad, like Mauritius, Tunisia, the USA, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, have traditionally been popular, they are showing a decline in demand. Bookings for Mauritius dropped by 21.8%, Tunisia saw a 15.1% decrease, the USA experienced an 11.4% fall, Mexico’s bookings were down by 9.8%, and the Dominican Republic registered an 8.7% drop in bookings. This trend suggests that French travelers are becoming more cautious about traveling to distant regions, possibly due to a combination of economic factors, geopolitical instability, and rising costs.
In terms of overall bookings, September showed a slight decline of 1.4% compared to the same period last year. This decline could be attributed to several factors, including unfavorable economic conditions, geopolitical tensions globally, and political developments within France. However, despite the dip in bookings, the overall volume of business in the tourism sector saw a positive uptick of 2.2%. This indicates that while fewer people may have booked trips, those who did travel likely spent more on their vacations, leading to an increase in revenue for the industry. The total volume of business, in this context, grew, signaling that despite a slight decrease in bookings, the tourism market is still resilient.
One of the key factors contributing to this rise in business volume is inflation. The average cost per booking increased by 3.7% in September, reaching 1,868 euros. This increase in the average price reflects a broader trend where French travelers are opting for more premium experiences, upgrading to more expensive vacations despite the overall decline in booking numbers. This could indicate a shift in consumer behavior, where quality and experience are being prioritized over quantity and budget constraints.
Moreover, the trend of French travelers booking their trips further in advance is becoming more pronounced. The average time between booking and departure increased by four days in September 2025, reaching a total of 69 days. This could reflect a desire for more thoughtful and planned-out vacations, as travelers take time to carefully select their destinations and secure the best deals. This increase in planning time could also be indicative of the ongoing uncertainty in the global travel landscape, where travelers may be more cautious and deliberate in their decisions.
Despite this shift towards higher-quality, more expensive vacations, French travelers still seem to favor destinations within Europe or those that are more accessible, as evidenced by the ongoing preference for countries like Spain, Greece, and Morocco. Long-haul flights, particularly to distant destinations, continue to face challenges. The consistent decline in bookings for such far-flung locations (down 8% this year) points to the fact that French tourists are opting for destinations that are easier to reach, either by short flights or even road trips.
Looking specifically at the All Saints’ holiday period, bookings in the French package tour market saw a decrease of 5.4%, with transaction volumes falling by 0.8%. This is a clear indication that fewer people are opting for organized tours during this time. However, the decline in bookings was offset by an increase of 5% in the average expenditure per transaction, which reached €2,237. This suggests that while the overall number of package tours booked has decreased, those who are still booking are likely opting for more luxurious or higher-priced packages. This shift in spending behavior reflects a preference for quality vacations and premium offerings despite the lower number of trips.
Greece has seen a 15% increase in French traveler bookings, driven by its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and accessibility. While Spain also saw growth, countries like the United States, Tunisia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic experienced declines due to economic and geopolitical challenges.
Overall, while the number of bookings for both short and long-term vacations has decreased, French travelers appear to be spending more per trip, indicating that the tourism sector is adapting to new consumer demands. Higher-quality, more expensive vacations are becoming the new norm, with travelers increasingly opting for experiences that provide value and comfort. Despite challenges, the tourism market remains resilient, with growing business volume and a shift toward more premium offerings.
