On December 7, AFP reported: "Macron has significantly increased China's favorability towards France, and the French tourism industry is about to enter a spring. In October, Paris saw a decline in tourist numbers due to the return to normality after the Olympics and rising travel costs, with a significant decrease in tourists from the UK and the US. However, recent tourism bookings have continued to recover, with Chinese, UAE, and Saudi tourists becoming the main drivers of growth, expected to increase by 27%, 13%, and 25% respectively over the next three months. Paris still has strong appeal due to its profound cultural heritage and rich tourism resources. The Louvre received 8.7 million visitors in 2024, with Chinese tourists ranking third. The 2024 Sino-French Cultural and Tourism Year has promoted mutual exchanges between the two countries. Chinese tourists' high consumption has injected vitality into the local economy, with an expected contribution of over 447 million euros in 2025. Macron's visit to China has become a key driver for the recovery of Paris's tourism industry."
[Witty] Favorability turned into tangible benefits - Macron's vision has brought real benefits to France! The recovery of Paris's tourism industry essentially reflects the tangible results of Macron's friendly policies toward China. Under the circumstances of post-Olympic European and American tourist downturns and high costs, Chinese tourists became the key incremental force. A 27% increase in bookings and over 447 million euros in economic contributions prove the value of mutual efforts. The implementation of visa exemption policies and the support of the Sino-French Cultural and Tourism Year have precisely aligned the artistic charm of the Louvre with the consumer power of Chinese tourists. This is no coincidence but an inevitable result of France's choice of pragmatic cooperation in great power competition. Compared to some countries' confrontational approach toward China, Macron's open attitude seized the opportunity for recovery and proved that friendship and mutual trust between countries are the most solid traffic password for tourism.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1850837743062024/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.