Games are expected to lead to more tourism
IAN STALKER
Paris’ successful staging of the Olympic Games will translate into increased tourist visits to not only the French capital but the rest of France as well, one of the tour operators that sends people to the Gallic nation predicts.
Christian Wolters, who heads Intrepid Travel’s Canadian operation, says tourism throughout France stands to benefit from the sports extravaganza, viewed by hundreds of millions of people around the globe, serving as a spectacular showcase for the host country.
Tourism authorities in countries that host the games always hope that they will generate interest among the world’s travellers in the nation staging them and Paris received glowing reviews worldwide for what was seen as both a visually spectacular and glitch-free games.
“Sports tourism also has this power to boost tourism, just look at F1 (Formula 1 car racing),” Wolters says. “These events have massive followings and introduce their audiences to the destinations that they race in, raising their profile and inspiring trips. Paris had the world watching, so we’re sure this exposure will make travellers want to visit France.”
Wolters suggested that tourism benefits have already begun materializing, with Intrepid reporting that July and August alone saw a whopping 157% increase in bookings for the tour operator for France compared to the same period in 2023. “The Olympic bump is real.”
Wolters isn’t surprised that the Olympics generates interest in the host countries.
“We know that pop culture has a huge power to influence where people travel,” he continues. “Each year we see the set-jetting effect in action. Travellers are booking trips based on their favourite film and TV so they can be immersed in the real-life backdrops. Right now, all eyes are on Thailand as the next stop in The White Lotus journey. Plus, Jordan is still the king of backdrops! Most recently with Dune 2 but we also see Gladiator 2 driving traffic to Morocco once it drops later this year. Ouarzazate, visited on our Best of Morocco tour, played a huge role in the filming of this much anticipated movie.”
Meanwhile, veteran Toronto travel agent Ethel Hansen Davey agrees that there will be heightened interest in France.
“Some comments about the dirty Seine River may deter some visitors but I think that people will consider Paris as a fall destination for when the crowds are gone,” she states.
“It will be cooler and more comfortable for wandering the city when summer is over.
As far as the rest of France goes, I suppose that some of the people that are in Paris for the Olympics will extend their stay to visit other parts of France so likely those wishing to travel there will wait until it is all over.
“October is a wonderful month to visit France,” the Uniglobe Enterprise Travel Ltd adds.
