France is seeing a significant rise in interest from tourists, says Amadeus
Flight searches to France are soaring from around the world for the period surrounding the 2024 Olympics. According to the latest data by Spanish technology firm Amadeus, flight searches have increased by about 25 pc, with the top five countries being the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Spain and Canada.
When looking at specific markets, data shows that Germans lead in growth in searches for flights to Paris. Flight searches to Paris by Germans have increased by 144 pc, says the statement. It adds that as for the other main markets, figures revealed that flight searches from the US to Paris for July 23 to August 15, are up by 72 pc. Searches from the UK are up by 60 pc while searches from Brazil are up by 50 pc, with these countries showing one of the highest year-on-year increases.
“With most of the Olympic games being held in Paris, it is no surprise that the demand for flights to the French capital has surged, reaching 33 per cent higher compared to the same period last year,” says the statement by Amadeus.
The interest in flying to France during the period surrounding the Olympics has also increased in Europe and the Americas, with flight searches from these two markets increasing by 34 and 29 pc, respectively. Searches from the Asia Pacific region saw a 15 pc increase while flights from MENA a 10 pc uptick.
Travel plans extend beyond Paris
Amadeus says that Paris is not the only city to benefit from Olympic tourism. In particular, flight searches to Marseille, Lyon and Lille, which are hosting various competitions, are also taking off.
The statement says that Lille, the northern town, is seeing the highest growth rates from the United States at 118 pc and Germany 111 pc. Searches to Lyon are soaring domestically with an impressive 70 pc rise, and internationally, a 19 pc increase. Top searches are from Japan and the United States, with flight searches spiking by an incredible 123 pc and 118 pc, respectively.
Despite the surge in travel interest, travellers planning trips to France exhibit a shortened search lead time, with an average of 3.5 days less compared to 2023. The data underscores that, while there is a surge in interest, the traditional one-week stay remains the preferred choice for most visitors.
The statement adds that travellers coming from far away are more likely to stay longer. Brazilians are likely to stay an average of 9 days, while people from the Asia Pacific region are likely to stay for 12.
Nationals of countries who do not have any visa-free agreement with the EU will have to obtain a visa to enter France for the purpose of attending the Olympics, the statement adds.
