France's largest travel trade show is a resounding success

Rendez-Vous en France 2018
Rendez-Vous en France 2018
500 years of the Renaissance in France
Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATOUT FRANCE US SOLIDIFIES ITS LEADING POSITION AT RENDEZ-VOUS EN FRANCE, THE FRENCH TOURISM INDUSTRY’S TOP INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOW

NEW YORK, NY – March 29th, 2018 | Rendez-vous en France, the French tourism industry's top international B2B trade show, returned to Paris, Porte de Versailles. In partnership with the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Paris Region Tourist Bureau, Atout France has once again organized the biggest market place for French tourism professionals.

This year’s salon hosted French professionals to fill their order books, thanks to the presence of 950 tour operators from 69 countries; with 62 tour operators from the United States. The goal is to further bolster the increase in international tourism that took place in 2017.

947 influencers from five continents, as well as 37 journalists from international trade publications were expected. During two days, business meetings took place every 20 minutes at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (24,656 meetings were scheduled).

According to Christian Mantei, Managing Director of Atout France, “In a highly competitive environment, marked by a resurgence in tourism in France, this event represents a unique opportunity for the 750 French exhibitors to promote and sell their products to a high-quality international panel of buyers”.

Rendez-vous en France is also a chance for French destinations to promote their tourist offerings. 13 regions have organized 40 familiarization trips for 350 tour operators.

KEY FIGURES

2 days of workshops

750 French exhibitors

950 Tour Operators from 69 countries

947 influencers and 37 journalists from 69 countries

24,656 business meetings scheduled

380 international tour operators on familiarization trips to 13 French destinations

500 YEARS OF THE RENAISSANCE IN THE LOIRE VAILLEY

During the March 27 press conference, news of a major cultural anniversary celebration in the Loire Valley was announced. 2019 will mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci at Amboise, the start of the construction of the Château of Chambord and the birth of Catherine de’ Medici in Florence. The Loire Valley region will celebrate the artistic, scientific and intellectual effervescence of the Renaissance in France.

The Loire Valley with its kings, gardens, river and valley interspersed with châteaux is considered the birthplace of the French Renaissance. Historic figures such as Francis I, Catherine de’ Medici and Leonardo da Vinci largely contributed to the spread of the Renaissance here and greatly stimulated artistic creation, philosophy, science and literature, of which the Loire Châteaux probably bear the greatest testimony. The Loire Valley and the Cathedrals of Chartres and Bourges have received the honor of being listed by UNESCO for their heritage and nature. Celebrations will be held throughout 2019. A cultural program is currently being put together, composed of different highlights including a large travelling digital show mixing contemporary artistic and musical creation, an international architecture competition, guided tours, banquets, many exhibitions, international symposiums, etc.

ABOUT RENDEZ-VOUS EN FRANCE The Rendez-vous en France Travel Market is organized by Atout France, in partnership with Air France, SNCF, Les Entreprises du Voyage, the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Paris Region Tourist Board, the Hauts-de-France Regional Tourist Board, the Côte d’Azur France Regional Tourist Board, the Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur Regional Tourist Board, the Corsica Tourist Board, the Occitanie Regional Tourist Board, the Alsace Attractiveness Agency, the Champagne-Ardenne Regional Tourist Board, Lorraine Tourism, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Tourist Board, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourism, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourism, the Brittany Regional Tourist Board, the Centre–Val de Loire Regional Tourist Board, the Normandy Regional Tourist Board, and the Pays de la Loire Territoires d’Innovation Regional Agency.

ABOUT 500 YEARS OF THE RENAISSANCE In 2019, The Loire Valley will be celebrating 500 years of Renaissance(s)... a renewed and reinvented Renaissance. The region aims to adopt an innovative and creative dynamic in association with major contemporary art venues such as the FRAC (regional contemporary art collection) in Orléans, the CCCOD (Olivier Debré centre for contemporary creation) in Tours, the Transpalette in Bourges and the Regional Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which is an Arts and Nature Centre. Leonardo da Vinci was a man who incarnated the possible, a symbol of art and science. The artist and scholar left Rome for Amboise in 1516 upon invitation by King Francis I, and came to live in the “Cloux” Manor, now known as Clos Lucé. This is where the story of three French masterpieces began: The Mona Lisa, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, and Saint John the Baptist, which are now kept at the Louvre. We have a duty to promote this magnificent heritage, but also to prolong it. Celebrations will be held throughout 2019. A cultural program is currently being put together, composed of different highlights including a large travelling digital show mixing contemporary artistic and musical creation, an international architecture competition, guided tours, banquets, many exhibitions, international symposiums, etc. #500Renaissance #2019vivaleonardo #RCVL #valdeloire