The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are highly anticipated global events, positioning Paris as the most visited city in the upcoming year, attracting millions of tourists to participate in numerous events.
Scheduled from July 26 to Aug. 11 across the Paris metro area and beyond, the 2024 Olympics are expected to draw an estimated 15.3 million visitors, including 3.3 million attendees. The majority of these visitors (13.4 million) are anticipated to be from France, with an additional 1.9 million international travelers welcomed by the city.
Paris estimates that travelers will spend approximately 2.6 billion euros, equivalent to around $2.75 billion, during the Olympics, with 1.9 billion euros allocated to the Games. International visitors are anticipated to contribute significantly, accounting for 38.5% of spending at the Olympic Games and 31.2% at the Paralympic Games.
In preparation for hosting its largest-ever event, Paris has undertaken transformative initiatives that are expected to have a lasting impact. These include purifying the Seine for swimming events, expanding bike lanes to promote eco-friendly transportation to and from the Games, and ensuring that 100% of competition sites are accessible by public or active transport.
Anne Menegaux, the tourist director of Paris, emphasizes the importance of leaving a positive legacy for the city and its inhabitants. Paris aims for 20% of commuting to be done by bike, with 185 kilometers of Olympic lanes designed to facilitate transport for people with reduced mobility.
Setting itself apart from previous host cities, Paris will utilize its iconic attractions and landmarks as Olympic venues. Approximately 90% of the locations for the Olympic Games already exist, with the Grand Palais hosting fencing and taekwondo, the Place de la Concorde featuring new Olympic sports, and beach volleyball competitions taking place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The Seine will play a central role in the opening ceremony and inaugurate swimming events in the river.
Beyond Paris, Olympic events will be held at renowned attractions such as the Palace of Versailles, hosting equestrian games for both the Olympics and Paralympics. Various events will take place across France, including Bordeaux, Marseille, and the second Olympic surfing competition in Teahupo’o, Tahiti. The city is also excited to unveil the new ‘SPOT24’ venue at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in autumn 2023, showcasing new Olympic disciplines and urban cultures.
