France, the most visited country in the world, received 78 million foreign tourists in 2006, an increase of 2.3 percent compared to 2005, tourism ministry announced on Wednesday.

 

Tourism revenue related to foreign tourists registered a 2.5 percent increase in 2006, from the previous year's 34 billion euros (US$44.2), according to figures released by the ministry at a press conference.

 

European tourists constituted the majority of visitors and the number of tourists from Spain, Holland, Switzerland and eastern Europe is still on the rise.

 

Besides, the number of Chinese tourists is also growing strongly.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2007)