Paris Olympics discourage tourism

Paris is going all out for the Olympics, but the city's tourism industry has little to celebrate

The historic Marais district of Paris, normally bustling with tourists enjoying its chic boutiques, museums and restaurants, is unusually quiet. The French capital is experiencing a tourism slump as visitors stay away during the Olympics.

Key takeaways

• Major airlines report that the Olympics have dampened the usual summer travel demand to Paris, resulting in sluggish bookings and empty seats;
• A significant factor in this downturn is the high cost of accommodation, hotels and metro tickets. Many hotels initially raised rates in anticipation of a surge in tourism, only to lower them after a slow spring booking season;
• The French government has promised to consider compensation for affected businesses, but the big question remains: will tourists return once security restrictions around the opening ceremony are lifted?

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