The Olympic and Paralympic Games boosted tourism in the Île-de-France region, which, through its tourism agency Choose Paris Region, is delighted with the increase in tourist numbers recorded since the beginning of the year. In the first half of the year, more than 22 million tourists visited Île-de-France , 3% more than in the first half of 2023 (+700,000 visitors), including 12 million French tourists. This figure "reinforces its position as the world's leading tourist destination."
During the Olympic Games, visitor numbers increased by 15% (+22% French visitors and +9% international visitors). British, American, and Belgian tourists accounted for a third of these visitors, followed by Spaniards, Germans, and Italians. The competition was also "a success for the hotel industry ," according to the specialized firm In Extenso, as its revenue increased by 31% during July and August , despite highly uneven visitor numbers before and after the Games. Occupancy rates were down 5,7% over these two months , but average room rates (excluding VAT) rose by 39%, resulting in a 31% increase in RevPAR.
During the Olympic fortnight, average prices increased by 66%, reveals Choose Paris Region, rising from €187 in 2023 to €310 in 2024, with an average occupancy rate of 84% in Paris (+10,1%).
The promotion agency expects a resurgence in attractiveness for the coming months, with air bookings up 7% in October and 6% in November compared to 2023, and while the Rugby World Cup had already boosted visitor numbers.
With kind permission from the Journal de l'Hôtellerie