France’s leading international travel trade show, Rendez-vous en France, wrapped up for another year after a successful two-day event held in Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region on April 1-2.
Organised by Atout France, the 18th edition of the event brought together nearly 2,000 tourism professionals, including 845 international buyers from 62 countries and 704 French exhibitors spanning hotels, attractions, service providers and regional tourism organisations.
The show floor spanned 11,000 square metres, creating a vibrant space for connection and collaboration.
The event comes off the back of a record-breaking year for French tourism, with 100 million international visitors in 2024 and revenues hitting €71 billion.
Fuelled by the momentum of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this year’s Rendez-vous en France was seen as a key driver for showcasing France’s diverse tourism offering and strengthening its global appeal.
Gala Evening
Big Numbers, Big Impact
With more than 28,000 pre-scheduled business meetings, the show proved to be a hub of activity. To further deepen engagement, 400 international tour operators were invited on one of 53 familiarisation tours, exploring the charm and authenticity of regions across France.
Spotlight on Australia and New Zealand
Atout France’s Sydney office extended invitations to 10 leading tour operators from Australia and New Zealand, helping boost France’s visibility in these important markets.
Participants included representatives from Food and Wine Travel, Scenic, Emerald Cruises, Outdoor Travel, Walk This Way Travel (NZ), Destination Artisans, France Travel Solutions, Intrepid and Lux Voyages.
Prior to the trade show, these agents enjoyed immersive experiences in the Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, gaining valuable insights into the country’s year-round tourism potential.
Atout France expressed heartfelt thanks—_merci!_—to its partners for their active engagement in growing French tourism’s footprint Down Under.
A Sustainable Focus
In addition to promoting business and product development, the event strongly highlighted France’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
Innovations in soft mobility, environmental stewardship and inclusive travel were all part of the agenda, reinforcing France’s ambitions to lead with responsibility and resilience.
As the curtains close on Rendez-vous en France 2025, it’s clear the event continues to be a cornerstone for global tourism professionals seeking authentic, innovative and sustainable French travel experiences.
