As Greater Lyon has just presented its first Plan for the Development of Responsible Tourism, which aims to make Lyon a leading destination in the area of responsible tourism, this latest international success offers great encouragement to all stakeholders in the tourism industry and confirms Lyon’s position as the most popular destination among visitors!
The destination to discover in 2022
Described as the “Oscars of Tourism”, the WTA reward excellence in all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hotel industries. Following a first continent-wide vote that saw Lyon take second place in the most coveted European award, the recently unveiled result of this second worldwide vote sees Lyon named as the "World’s Tourism Leading Emerging Destination". It follows in the footsteps of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, and raises the profile of France by becoming the top destination to discover in the world in 2022.
“To my great delight, this latest distinction reflects the high level of interest in our city among visitors and confirms their desire to explore the gems to be found throughout Lyon and the surrounding area. Through the creation of the first Plan for the Development of Responsible Tourism, Greater Lyon is responding to visitors’ new needs, while prioritising a more environmentally friendly, authentic, experience-based and meaningful form of tourism.”
Hélène Dromain, Vice-President of Greater Lyon, in charge of European and International Cooperation and Tourism
Great support from professionals and travellers from around the world
This result is a marvellous way to end the year and rewards the unprecedented mobilization campaign conducted by ONLYLYON Tourism and Conventions, which reached 5 million people and earned the city the title of second best European city destination. Receiving great support from tourism stakeholders and travellers in France and around the world for this global nomination, the “Capital of the Gauls” has stood out once again for its diverse, accessible and exemplary tourism offering, and showed that it meets growing public interest in destinations on a human scale that are focussed on more responsible tourism.
The Lyon metropolitan area and its residents can be proud of this latest global distinction, which gives us fantastic visibility on the international stage! This title is a reward for all stakeholders in the areas of tourism, culture, gastronomy and events, which make Lyon the attractive destination that it is for tourists from all parts of the world. I would like to draw attention to the hard work of the team, which showed incredible dedication throughout the competition, and express my sincere gratitude to the travellers and tourism professionals who believe in the attractiveness of our destination. Robert Revat, President of ONLYLYON Tourism and Conventions
Lyon in the rankings
ONLYLYON Tourism and Conventions is one of the 13 institutional partners that worked hand in hand to develop Lyon’s image and its attractiveness on the international stage, through the ONLYLYON brand.
In 2021, Lyon put in its best performance yet by coming 2nd place in the category ‘Europe's Leading City Destination 2021’ and winning the title ‘World's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination’ at the WTA, as well as coming 7th in the list of responsible destinations compiled by the GDS-Index, making it the French leader in the area of sustainable tourism.
Further information on Lyon in the rankings in 2021
Discover the city's new promotional video "Lyon, I Love You"