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France continued to be the leader of the world tourism industry last year, with some 82m visitors, according to new figures.

Statistics released by the country's tourism ministry and seen by Reuters showed that visitor numbers increased by 4% in comparison to 2006.

This ensured that France stayed ahead of Spain, its closest rival in the world travel industry.

Of the 82m people that travelled to France in 2007, 14m were passing through, with the remaining 68m visiting the country as their main and final destination.

Europeans comprised 46% of France's visitor market, with Britain, Germany and Belgium particularly important sources and growth recorded in tourism from Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal.

The number of American visitors also increased, despite a slight slowdown in the market in the final quarter as the dollar slumped in value against the euro.

Travellers from the US spent the longest amount of time in France last year, an average of eight nights, while Europeans spent just under six nights and the Japanese stayed for an average of five nights.

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