Olympics Boost Paris Tourism With 16 Pct Increase In Visitors

PARIS, Aug 2 (Bernama-dpa) -- The start of the Olympic Games has given Paris a boost in tourism, attracting more visitors, according to the Paris tourism authority.

Some 650,000 tourists visited Paris between July 24 and 27, marking a 16 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

The number of French visitors rose by 17.3 per cent, while the number of foreign visitors increased by 14.8 per cent. 

Among foreign visitors, travellers from the United States accounted for 15.5 per cent and Germans for 6.3 per cent. 

The number of German tourists rose by 42 per cent compared to the previous year.

The occupancy rate of Paris hotels, which had recently reported a number of vacancies, rose to almost 90 per cent. This may also be related to prices, which, according to the tourism authority, continued to fall. 

In the run-up to the Games, prices were initially still being charged at a high level. The average price for a night in a hotel in Paris on July 24 was €258 ($288). In July 2023, a room cost an average of €202 and in August €161.

Hotel bookings are expected to increase by 5-10 per cent in the run-up to the Paralympic Games, which will be held from August 28 to September 8.

--BERNAMA-dpa