Concerns about high prices and large crowds ahead of the Olympics may have created an unexpectedly favorable opportunity for a vacation in Paris. Hotels and restaurants have informed media outlets that they have reduced their prices to attract customers for vacation in Parisafter experiencing what some describe as a “catastrophic” decline in revenue during the Games, leaving them to question the event’s benefits.
While the French capital appears to be the center of attention for those watching the sports on television, the city’s relatively quiet streets and empty restaurant tables present a different picture. Local media reported earlier this week on the “deserted” Disneyland and Parisians’ surprise at being able to find seats on metro trains during rush hour.
Analysts suggest that many locals have traditionally left the city for the summer, but some international visitors may also have been deterred by concerns of price gouging and overwhelming crowds associated with the Olympics.
One local restaurateur named Lies, situated in the typically bustling Latin Quarter, described July as his worst month in 25 years, using the term “catastrophic.” He noted that during the height of COVID, at least people continued to order meal deliveries. He suggested that tourists were discouraged from visiting due to security blockades established for the previous week’s opening ceremony.
Another nearby restaurateur, Yarva, commented that potential visitors had opted not to pay the inflated hotel prices that surged ahead of the Games. He remarked that the event was “only for the rich,” gesturing to indicate that he believed the price increases were excessive.
Prior to the Games, airlines cautioned about low demand for flights to Paris, with both Delta and the parent company of Air France forecasting an impact on their business. “Unless you’re going to the Olympics, people aren’t going to Paris,” the Delta CEO stated in an interview with media. This sentiment was reflected in flight prices, which were notably lower than usual for this time of year, according to travel expert Simon Calder writing for The Independent.
One-way flights from UK cities were available for as low as £31 (€36; $39) per adult (from Edinburgh) at the time of this article. However, tickets for Eurostar trains, which faced disruptions due to a recent sabotage attack on the French railway network, were significantly more expensive.
Raphael Batko of hotel marketing firm Doyield, which represents about one in 20 of the city’s hotels, noted an “avoidance effect” in June and July, describing the situation as “catastrophic.” He indicated, however, that visitor numbers had since improved to satisfactory levels. Similar patterns were observed during past Olympics, including in London in 2012, when businesses reported that the Games discouraged visitors and reduced profits.
Whether the emergency measures taken by the hospitality industry will be enough to salvage the Olympic trade for many Parisian businesses remains to be seen. With restaurants lowering their prices, it is now possible to find meals for as little as €8 (£6.80, $8.70) in the Latin Quarter, according to Riad, the owner of the Olympie diner, as he tried to attract diners.
Hotels have also adopted similar strategies, largely reversing the price hikes that previously deterred guests. Tourism authorities confirmed that average nightly prices during the Games returned to €258 (£219; $279), following a substantial increase that saw them peak at €342 last month.
Numerous Airbnbs were reported to be offering price reductions, although the company claimed prices had remained stable since the beginning of the year, with more locals opening their homes in host cities. Individual hoteliers in Paris reported mixed outcomes about vacation in Paris.
One reception manager, Dino, stated that bookings had returned to normal levels, but only after cutting rates by half when the situation appeared “bleak.” Another, Isabelle, mentioned that her price drop had not been effective and lamented that “we didn’t gain anything from the Olympics.”
Beyond the sporting events, there are many compelling reasons to visit the French capital this summer, according to Christophe Decloux, head of the Choose Paris regional tourist board. He highlighted the city’s rich cultural offerings, efficient transportation, and a “very joyful” atmosphere during the Games. “Paris is usually very calm in late July and August because people leave for the vacations,” he said, “and right now it is just as calm as usual in August, except in certain areas around the venues where people are bonding over the sport.”
Organizers of Paris 2024 have highlighted the positive impacts of the Games on the city following record ticket sales. It is still possible to sign up for events, as tickets are released daily, with about 800,000 tickets still available, according to media reports.
The sporting event has already proven to be memorable, and with some dissatisfied businesses making every effort to attract visitors, last-minute vacation to Paris may find themselves with a chance to score a bargain.