The 2024 Summer Olympics were greatly anticipated for more than one reason. While the 2021 Tokyo Olympics ran under the shadow of COVID-19, this year’s Olympics was the world’s first breath of freedom when it came to international summer sports. But this year’s Olympics also brought a great deal of money and attention to Paris, boosting France’s economy and tourism sector.

As millions turned to their televisions to watch athletes compete, eyes were also set on the dazzling Parisian landmarks featured frequently throughout the event. Those traveling to the Olympics enjoyed lively restaurants and cafés, welcoming hotels and exciting nightlife.

About 11.2 million people visited the Greater Paris metropolitan area during the Olympic Games, with the top foreign market for tourists being the United States, with 230,000 visitors.

Some travelers were deterred from visiting Paris this summer, however. From high hotel and house rental prices to the anticipation of large crowds flocking to certain pockets of the city for the event, many travelers didn’t venture to the City of Love.

Airlines also expect lower sales because of the Olympics. For instance, Air France-KLM announced it expects third quarter losses because of the decreased demand to visit Paris this summer. Other airlines, like Delta Air Lines, also expect a big hit. But airlines have come to expect such statistics when the Olympics rolls around.

While numbers might have been down, spending was far from low. And hotel occupancy rates were also at a high, with the high-end hotel market experiencing the largest increase from 2023. This is because those who did visit Paris for the Olympics spent more on average, positively impacting local tourism industries.

“The Olympics directly boost local tourism industries, leading to increased business for hotels, restaurants, and local attractions,” said Rachel J.C. Fu, professor and chair of Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, University of Florida’s College of Health and Human Performance. “Additionally, the Olympics improve infrastructure, such as transportation and public amenities, which enhances the quality of life in the community and boosts the city’s image as a tourist destination. The Olympics also benefit tourism for the host country by increasing global visibility and stimulating tourism-related businesses, creating opportunities to promote the area’s heritage, natural sites, culture, and reputation.”

In other words, the impact of the Olympics on a host city is mixed. Locals dislike the change in traffic (typically reduced traffic flows), event-related increases in tourism tax and higher concentrations of crowds in smaller sections of the city. But this year’s Olympics proved a success on many levels. And as Los Angeles takes the torch for the 2028 Summer Olympics, all eyes fall on the City of Angels.

Did you attend the 2024 Summer Olympics? What did you notice during your time in Paris? Did the crowds/number of tourists surprise you? What was your experience like? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.