Are you planning on attending the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris? Well, be prepared to spend a pretty penny on accommodation as hotels in Paris are significantly raising their prices for the opening night of the Games. According to a study by consumer organization UFC-Que Choisir, the average cost for a double room is expected to be over €1,000 on the night of July 26, the day of the Olympics’ opening ceremony.
The study, which polled 80 three and four-star hotels, revealed that prices are tripling compared to two weeks earlier. In fact, the average cost was only €317 on the night of July 12. It was also reported that 50% of these hotels are already fully booked for that night, while some required a minimum booking of at least two nights, with others asking for as many as five nights.
Some hotels have even raised their prices for a double room to over €2,000, and one four-star hotel required a minimum booking of four nights at a staggering €2,095 per night. This dramatic increase in prices is largely due to the high demand for accommodation during the Olympics, as the Paris tourism office expects nearly 16 million visitors in the broader Paris region for the Games.
In an effort to alleviate the strain on accommodation, Airbnb has encouraged Parisians to rent out their homes during the Games. However, this increased demand is also exacerbating the city’s homelessness issue, especially in areas like Seine-Saint-Denis, where the Olympic Village is being built.
Despite the high prices and accommodation challenges, France has introduced a new system called the “Olympic Consulate” to make the application procedures for a French Schengen Visa completely online. This new system will process applications for nearly 15,000 international athletes, 9,000 journalists, as well as delegations from foreign states participating in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The goal is to guarantee the issuance of visas within timeframes compatible with the successful organization of the Games.
Overall, the heightened demand for accommodation and the introduction of new visa processing systems highlight the impact of major international events on a city and its infrastructure. Whether you’re attending the Games or not, it’s important to be aware of these factors when planning a visit to Paris.
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