Figures, stats and analyses

Lyon is the second biggest tourist destination in France, with 6 million visitors per year (66% business and 34% leisure tourism).

Last updated date : 11/05/2023

Key Figures

Key figures for Greater Lyon

  • 3rd metropolis in France
  • 1.4 million inhabitants in the metropolis
  • 59 towns
  • €74.6 million GDP (Metropole in 2018)

The tourism industry in Lyon Metropole

Jobs

  • 34,069 jobs in the tourism industry (2021)

Accommodation

  • Offering: 269 accommodation providers
  • 18,798 hotel rooms available (2021)
  • Guest numbers, 5,8 millions overnights (2021) 

Customer breakdown

  • Accommodation: 81% French customers and 18% foreign customers (2021)
    Overseas visitors' Top 5 (accommodation)
    1. Switzerland
    2. Belgium
    3. Spain
    4. United States
    5. United Kingdom
  • ONLYLYON Tourist Office: 77% French customers and 23% foreign customers (2021)
    Overseas visitors' Top 5
    1. Spain
    2. Germany
    3. Belgium
    4. Nederlands
    5. Swizerland

Transport 

  • Rail: 27.4 million passengers in the 3 stations (2021)
  • Air: 54% international traffic at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, with 4.5 million passengers (2021)

Cycle-tourism

1090 km of cycle paths; 2 cycle routes – ViaRhôna and Voie Bleue.

Business tourism (in 2019)

  • 101 events hosted (+66% on previous year), including 34% association congresses, 37% trade shows and fairs, and 29% meetings and conventions.
  • 44% association congresses in the sectors of healthcare, medicine and life sciences.
  • 43% of meetings and conventions have a regional audience.
  • 5 trade shows attracted more than 60% of visitors: Equita, SIRHA, Epoqu'Auto, Solutrans et Pollutec. 

Sources: Database of MKG Hospitality - CCI Lyon
Lyon Airport / ONLYLYON Tourism and Conventions / SNCF
Data collected in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Lyon in the rankings

Lyon came among the top few in several international rankings:

  • 2nd ‘Europe’s Leading City Destination 2021 – World Travel Awards
  • Leading French city and 7th global city in the GDS-Index
  • 2nd French city for congresses in the ICCA 2021 ranking
  • Achievement of ISO 20121 certification for ONLYLYON Tourism and Conventions in May 2022
  • World's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination’ for 2022 - World Travel Awards

See more rankings:

Lyon City Card
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