France prepares to draw more tourists

France, one of the world's top tourist destinations, has plans to draw a large number of foreign holidaymakers with improved services, a government official has revealed.

"Currently, there are one billion tourists each year worldwide. There will be two billion by 2030. It is necessary that France get a big piece of the pie," Xinhua quoted Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius as saying Monday. "There is an extraordinary potential and the tourism industry must improve accordingly."

"We hope to have more and more tourists," he added. "They must say that they get a very pleasant welcome in France."

During a visit to the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, the minister pledged more efforts to better receive tourists and enhance the tourism industry, France's main currency earner and employment engine.

Tourism sector in France, which receives 82 million foreign tourists annually, generates 7 percent of the country's jobs.