The Paris Olympic Games (July 26 - August 11) have so far generated more than twice as many air reservations to the French capital as during the same period in the summer of 2023, the Paris Tourist Office said on Monday.
According to the Parisian tourism barometer for January, “the volume of international air reservations to date for the Olympic Games” to Orly and Roissy “is up +115.5% compared to the period July 26 - 11 August 2023.”
The Tourist Office estimates that, of the 11.3 million visitors expected for the Olympic Games alone - without taking into account the Paralympic Games - 1.5 million, or 13%, will come from abroad, including 854,000 from Europe and 65,000 from long-haul destinations.
More Ile-de-France residents
Among French visitors, Ile-de-France residents (46%) will be more numerous than French people from the provinces (40%).
According to the Paris tourism barometer, a hotel room will cost on average 522 euros in the Greater Paris Metropolis, compared to 202 in July and 161 in August 2023.
The stimulation of air traffic is part of the anti-Olympic arguments of environmentalists, historical opponents of the event but partners of the PS mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo who obtained the organization.
In December, an elected environmentalist from the Paris Council criticized the left-wing majority for promoting an event “organized during the worst time of the year in terms of heat waves” and which generates air traffic.
“Ecology is consistency,” added Alexandre Florentin.
“Air traffic will have to be reduced,” agreed Anne Hidalgo, while estimating that “the share of foreigners in the Games is totally marginal.”