Summer got off to a slower start in the French capital, as tourists avoided the city in early summer for fear of overcrowding and higher hotel prices during the Olympics.
ADVERTISINGLast-minute bookings at Paris hotels have picked up after declining in June and July as the French capital prepared for the Olympic Games, which ended on August 11.
Hotel occupancy in Paris was 84 percent during the Games, about 10 percent higher than during the same period last year. The recent increase in occupancy and bookings is due to hotel owners offering discounts and incentives to tourists.
Although some visitors managed to cancel previous bookings and rebook at discounted rates, on average rooms were still booked at double the normal price.
Some hoteliers have been selling non-refundable rooms well in advance of the Olympics to ensure their revenues are not hit too hard. Some hotels are also anticipating slightly higher demand during the Paralympics, which begin on August 28.
Despite the short-term improvement, this was not enough to make up for the mixed summer. Tourists who did not attend the games or Taylor Swift’s concerts decided to avoid the city, expecting a possible sharp increase in prices in hotels and restaurants.
Paris had already increased taxes on hotels and other accommodation establishments at the beginning of the year.
Airlines such as Delta and the Air France-KLM group have previously announced Sales warnings.
The Air France-KLM Group stated in early July: “International markets are showing a clear avoidance of Paris. Travel between the city and other destinations is also below the usual June-August average, as French residents appear to be postponing their holidays until after the Olympics or considering alternative travel plans.”
“Therefore, Air France-KLM currently expects a negative impact on future unit revenues in the range of 160 to 180 million euros for the period from June to August 2024. The event has no impact on our planned capacity at this time.”
Parisian restaurants and museums report loss of sales
Even though Paris hotels experienced a tight Olympic season, many other tourist and cultural establishments such as restaurants, museums and shops still had to contend with a loss of revenue due to the Olympic Games.
Major museums such as the Louvre saw a 22% drop in visitors during the Olympics. While shops and restaurants near the sports venues saw higher sales, those further away lost customers. Many Parisians decide to leave the city in August.
Restaurants and other establishments in the central area of the Île de la Cité also saw a decline in sales as the area around the Seine was closed during preparations for the Olympic Games.
