Each year, Rhône-Alpes attracts almost 28 million tourists from the world over (154'4 million of overnight stays in 2003). The second largest tourist region in France, with the Rhône valley and the Alps, the region offers a variety of landscapes conducive to ecotourism, water tourism, cultural tourism and to skiing. Business tourism represents 20 % of the tourist activity. Rhône-Alpes is one of the few French regions (except for Ile de France) to see an economic contribution from tourism throughout the year. The alpine departments that are Savoy, Haute-Savoie and Isère, are in pole position in terms of overnight stays in France. The Rhône with Lyon as the main driving force behind tourism comes directly afterwards.   Sources : Rhône-Alpes region, Observatoire Régional du Tourisme (Regional Observatory of Tourism)