A report by Réseau Action Climat has raised concerns about France’s tourism strategy, which focuses on attracting high-end international tourists from outside Europe. Although non-European tourists make up only 2% of France’s total tourist population, they are responsible for 20% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Tourism as a whole accounts for 11% of France’s total emissions but only contributes 3.8% to its GDP. The report points out that international tourism increases air traffic, with 41% of emissions from the sector linked to air travel. This raises environmental concerns, especially as France aims to reduce its carbon footprint. French and European tourists are the main contributors to the French tourism economy. French tourists alone spent 135 billion euros on travel in 2025, while Europeans spent an additional 54 billion euros. In contrast, non-European tourists contributed only 24 billion euros. When subtracting the 57.5 billion euros spent by French residents traveling abroad, the net gain from international tourism is 20 billion euros. Of this, 90% comes from European tourists, and only 10% from the rest of the world. The report highlights a shift in the tourism sector toward upscale offerings, particularly in the hotel industry. Between 2019 and 2025, the number of low-end hotel rooms (rated 1 or 2 stars) decreased by 15%, while high-end hotels (rated 4 or 5 stars) saw a 22% increase. This trend has led to a decline in domestic tourism, as local travelers are being replaced by international visitors. As a result, overnight stays by French residents have dropped by 13% since 2019, with further declines recorded in 2024 and 2025. The report calls for urgent action to rebalance tourism in France, suggesting measures such as improving annual leave policies to encourage domestic travel, promoting tourism in nearby European countries, and developing better rail connections across the continent. It also recommends halting the expansion of Roissy-CDG airport and reducing financial incentives for the aviation sector to curb emissions. However, the French government has criticized these proposals, emphasizing the economic benefits of international tourism. Last year, international visitors generated 77.5 billion euros in revenue, with a target of 100 billion euros by 2030. The government also highlights that international tourists spent an average of 760 euros per person in 2025, a 7% increase from the previous year. In the Île-de-France region alone, international tourists spent 4.8 billion euros this summer, compared to 2.2 billion by domestic visitors. Minister of SMEs and Tourism, Serge Papin, noted that international tourists not only visit major cities but also explore cultural and nature-based tourism in France.