Tourists are flocking to the French capital this summer as it hosts the much-anticipated Summer Games. Paris saw double digit increases in foreign and French tourists in July while hotel occupancy peaked at 90 percent on the opening weekend of the Olympics.

Paris

The 2024 Summer Olympics are underway in Paris, with competition lasting until mid-August.

Paris Olympics

Tourism in Paris has surged in light of the Summer Olympics. The French capital has experienced a significant increase in visitors, with a 20% rise in tourists this July compared to last year, including a 15% increase in French tourists. Hotels reported a peak occupancy rate of 90% during the opening weekend of the Games, though that figure has subsequently dropped to 82%, with prices remaining higher than usual.

However, not all sectors are benefiting equally from the influx of visitors. The availability of Olympic-provided transportation options has led to decreased demand for taxis, resulting in drivers facing losses of 40-50%. Taxi drivers' unions have requested government compensation to address their financial difficulties.

The tourist landscape also reflects a trend towards budget-conscious visitors. With significant expenditure on transportation and accommodation, many tourists have limited funds for dining out, impacting restaurant business. While restaurants in the city center have seen a slight increase in customers following the lifting of road closures, they report not yet reaching full capacity.

French government officials have pledged that economic benefits will extend beyond the event itself, citing long-term tourism growth experienced by previous Olympic host cities. Areas near Olympic venues, such as La Villette and Seine-Saint-Denis, are already witnessing the advantages of the tourist influx, suggesting a positive outlook for the future.



Paris Olympics: Tourism on the rise in French capital

With Olympic venues packed out to the rafters, the world's fifth most visited city has managed to up its game this year. 20% more tourists visiting the metropolis this July than last July, including 15% more French tourists. Hotel occupancy peaked at 90% on the opening weekend of the Games, now down to 82%, but with prices still far higher than usual. But other sectors who hope to capitalise haven't seen the windfall they were expecting. For instance, with the Olympics laying on cars to transport VIPs and free shuttles in certain places for stadium goers, taxi drivers have been waiting hours to find customers. This month we've suffered a loss of 40-50%, so we can't even cover our costs. Taxi drivers' unions have lodged a request for government compensation. Another damper on the much-heralded boom, tourists with one eye on the budget. We've noticed that Olympic tourism is mostly backpack tourism. I say that without any negative connotation. They've spent a lot on transport to get here, on transport to get around Paris, on their accommodation and their tickets, so there isn't much left for food. Restaurants in the city centre have seen an uptick in customers since the lifting of widespread road closures around the opening ceremony, but they say they are far from reaching capacity. On Thursday, the government looked to reassure, promising longer-term economic benefits. In London, there was an uptick in tourism for four, five, six years after the Games. And when we see the image of Paris and France that we're showing the world with our Olympic venues in the heart of the city, in beautiful locations, we can obviously expect benefits for our tourism and our economy in the years to come. Neighbourhoods around Olympic venues are of course benefiting from the inrush of tourists, like here in La Villette and Seine-Saint-Denis.

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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Washington

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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London

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Tunis

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Brasilia

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Paris Olympics