Airbnb has seen a 30% increase in bookings from Indian guests in and around Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Overall, bookings in the Paris region for stays during the Olympics are over five times (400%) higher on Airbnb than they were at the same time last year. Airbnb said Indian travellers are not only focusing on Paris, but also venturing on to other cities hosting Olympic events, including Saint-Denis and Bordeaux.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s general manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said the surge in bookings for Paris reflects an “exciting” trend among Indian travellers, who are increasingly planning trips around iconic sporting events like the Olympics, showcasing their growing appetite for global experiences. “Interestingly, while Paris remains a top destination, these travellers are also venturing beyond traditional tourist spots to explore cities like Saint-Denis and Bordeaux to catch their favourite sports,” he added.
One of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) programmes for the Paris Olympics is working out to be about ₹11 lakh per person for a premier group of around 50 customers for Thomas Cook (India), said Rajeev Kale, president and country head. This includes the boxing and wrestling finals besides the closing ceremony with a VIP hospitality box on all three days.
Online visa platform Atlys saw a 60% surge in visa applications from India for France ahead of the Olympic Games. French consulates in India have ramped up their processing capabilities in response to the surge, it said. “On average, Olympic visitors are receiving their visa decisions in under a week, a significant improvement compared to the usual processing times,” the company said in a statement. Travellers are also considering locations such as Nice, Aubervilliers, Colombes and Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, besides Chateauroux for shooting events and Colombes for field hockey, it said.
