As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approach, the world is witnessing a remarkable surge in travel demand. Paris, set to welcome 11.3 million visitors during the Olympics, is experiencing a population density spike, prompting travellers to seek destinations beyond the bustling city. This exodus benefits international hotspots like Italy, the United States, and other prime locations such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Thailand, and Japan.
The summer of 2024 is poised to make Paris a travel epicentre due to the Olympic Games, boosting international travel demand from Paris airports by nearly 12% compared to last year. These insights are derived from the report “Escaping the Olympics Crowds: Travel Trends from Paris to the World,” conducted by global travel intelligence platforms Mabrian and The Data Appeal Company, part of the Almawave Group.
Olympics-Driven Travel Trends
The report unveils travel trends during the three-week Olympic period (July 22nd to August 12th, 2024) through a comprehensive cross-analysis of air demand, flight searches, and air capacity for direct flights three months in advance. Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing and Communications at Mabrian, highlights the significant impact of the Olympics on travel: “Italy and the United States will be the most benefited countries by this demand surge, facilitated by the increased seats availability from and to Paris, thanks to the Olympic Games, and the demand growth to travel abroad from Paris this year.”
During the Olympics, air capacity from Paris to the United States increased by over 9% compared to the same period in 2023, with destinations like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami seeing substantial demand spikes. Similarly, Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, and Venice are witnessing a surge in travel interest.
Olympic Visitor Influx
Paris is set to host unprecedented visitors during the Olympic Games. According to recent forecasts from the French government, 11.3 million visitors are expected during the Olympics (July 26th to August 11th) and an additional 4 million during the Paralympic Games (August 28th to September 8th). This influx could multiply Paris’s population density fivefold.
The Statistics Board of France (Insee) reports that Paris, home to approximately 2.1 million people, is part of the Île-de-France region, with an estimated population of 12.4 million. Most visitors will come from other French regions (86.7%), with around 1.5 million foreign travellers primarily from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany.
Mirko Lalli, CEO & Founder of The Data Appeal Company, notes, “Demand to Paris during the Olympics has been consistently strong since last February, and there is no doubt the city will be crowded during the coming weeks.” Lalli adds that accommodation rates have soared by 50% compared to 2023, with online travel agency (OTA) saturation 30% higher and lodging nearly sold out for the inauguration night of the games.
Global Destinations Benefiting from Olympic Crowds
The Mabrian report highlights a shift in travel preferences during the Olympics, with increased interest in long-haul destinations compared to traditional summer spots. Connectivity from Paris to the United States (+9.3%) and the United Kingdom (+13%) shows significant growth. Traditional summer destinations like Spain (+7%) and Greece (+2.5%) also increased moderately.
The United States and Italy emerge as the top destinations for Parisian travellers. Los Angeles (+80%), Miami (+74%), and New York (+42%) are the most sought-after American cities. In Italy, demand for Milan has doubled, while Rome (+53%) and Venice (+46%) also see substantial growth. Lalli explains that the reputation of Italian cities among French travellers is reflected in high Sentiment Scores: 84 for Venice, 82 for Rome, and 80 for Milan (out of 100).
Other popular destinations during the Olympics include London (+22%), Barcelona (+19%), and Athens. Medium and long-haul destinations like Istanbul (+71%), Tokyo (+45%), and Bangkok (+30%) are also seeing increased demand. Additional destinations experiencing a surge include Canada, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Conversely, demand for Portugal has slightly declined compared to the same period in 2023, with air capacity from Paris to Lisbon and Porto reducing by 7.4%.
Data Sources and Methodology
This report’s insights are based on data from Mabrian’s travel intelligence, including social listening, global air capacity, flight searches, and an analysis of 100 million Booking.com reviews. The Data Appeal Company-Almawave Group provided additional data, including Sentiment Scores and digital traces from over 130 online sources.
Conclusion
As the world gears up for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the ripple effect on global travel is undeniable. With Paris at the centre of this phenomenon, international destinations are poised to reap the benefits of increased travel demand. Travellers from the United States to Italy and beyond are eager to escape the Olympic crowds and explore new horizons.
Written by: Soo James
