Data from travel analytics platform Orchestra, compiled for the French Tourism Enterprises Association, show holiday-season tour bookings up 5.4% year on year, while average spending per traveler remains largely stable at 3,916 euros.

Association President Valérie Boned said French consumers continue to prioritize travel spending, particularly at year-end, when families tend to choose longer and farther-reaching journeys.

Among long-haul destinations, Vietnam stands out as a key bright spot. Patrice Caradec, president of SETO (Syndicat des Entreprises du Tour Operating), the association of French tour operators, said Vietnam “has never attracted so many French visitors since COVID-19.” He noted that the country’s later reopening compared with some Asian neighbors created pent-up demand, which surged once the tourism sector fully rebounded. Visitor levels have now returned to pre-pandemic benchmarks.

Vietnam’s momentum comes amid an encouraging winter season for long-haul travel more broadly. According to Orchestra, distant destinations such as Mexico (up 10.6%), Thailand (up 2.4%) and the Dominican Republic (up 2.2%) have recorded solid growth, supported by expanded routes operated by Air France and Air Caraïbes.

In the medium-haul segment, Egypt posted a strong rebound with growth of 46.6%, while Cape Verde rose 11.8%. Morocco (up 2.3%) and Tunisia (up 4.9%) remain stable choices for French travelers. Some operators, including Comptoir des Voyages, reported declining traffic to Morocco, offset by rising demand for Italy, Spain and Jordan. Interest in Nordic destinations such as Finland and Iceland has softened, while Egypt has benefited from the opening of a new museum in Cairo.

Tour operators say the market has been particularly volatile this year, with many French travelers delaying their decisions until as late as November- an unusual pattern given that peak booking periods typically fall in September and October.

Post-pandemic price increases across airfares, hotels and on-the-ground experiences have made consumers more cautious. Nevertheless, Didier Arino, director of research group Protourisme, said travel remains the “number-one spending priority” for French households, as they seek to treat themselves to what he called “a genuine break.”

Forecasts from SETO suggest the upward trend will extend beyond the Christmas season. From Nov. 1 to April 30, outbound French travel is expected to increase by 7% in passenger numbers and 9% in booking volume. While some observers have argued that the post-COVID “catch-up travel” trend has run its course, tour operators say demand remains resilient, driven by the desire to escape winter chill in search of sun and long-distance travel.

Against this broader backdrop, Vietnam continues to strengthen its appeal, supported by its rich landscapes and cultural attractions alongside effective tourism recovery policies, reinforcing its position on the winter travel map for visitors from France.

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