(BPT) - Interest in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 is influencing how guests are traveling this summer. As of March 31, nights booked during the dates of the Olympics are over five times (400%) higher than they were in the Paris region the same time a year ago1. Paris, the most searched city on the platform during the event2, has seen an all-time high for active listings. There's an increase of nearly 40% in the Paris region compared to a year ago3, as hosts prepare to welcome domestic and international travelers.
Top countries for nights booked during the Olympics
While guests from over 160 countries and regions4 have already booked their stays during the event, travelers coming from the U.S. are leading Olympics-related travel, booking more than 20% of stays in or near host cities during the Games. The big medal-winning countries of 2020 are also strongly represented in terms of the nationality of guests traveling to France during the Olympic Games: most of the 10 countries that have booked the most travel to France are among the top medal winners from Tokyo 2020. French guests are currently in third place in terms of nights booked, but domestic bookings are expected to increase closer to the event as the majority of ticket-holders are French5.
In terms of growth, Asian countries are in the leaderboard: Airbnb has witnessed the highest increase in travelers coming from Mainland China, India, Hong Kong (SAR) and Japan. This is followed by Czechia, Mexico, Ireland, Brazil, Luxembourg and Colombia.
Tourism dispersal across France
It's not just central Paris drawing visitors this summer. Places like Saint-Denis, Châteauroux and Lille have also seen a significant rise in interest thanks to the strategic decision to host Paris 2024 throughout France.
Airbnb data reveals some of the top destinations outside of central Paris favored by different nationalities looking to support their national teams during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024:
- Dutch and Australian guests, who are among the top of the medal table for field hockey, booked the most nights to the Colombes area, where the sport will be played.
- One of the top destinations for Spaniards and Brazillians is Bordeaux, where their national football teams play two matches.
- One of the top destinations for Chinese guests is Vanves, near the venue for table tennis, a sport which the Chinese have long dominated.
Benefits for local communities
According to a study7, stays on Airbnb during the dates of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 are estimated to generate €2,000 (over $2,170 USD) for a typical host in the Paris region, having a total economic impact of almost 1 billion euros (over 1 billion USD) and supporting almost 7,300 full-time equivalent jobs in the country.
Many local families have joined the platform to benefit from this opportunity. In the Paris region alone, there is a 40% rise in active listings in the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2023.
'Airbnb will play an important role in accommodating the increased influx of visitors coming for the Games, providing varied and affordable lodging options and supporting the overall economic growth in areas that haven't always benefited from tourism. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 highlights how Airbnb helps disperse travel and spreads economic benefits by allowing people to stay in local neighborhoods, close to Olympics venues, like Saint-Denis or smaller cities like Chateauroux,' said Clément Eulry, Country Manager for France and Belgium at Airbnb.
Families and groups flock to the Olympics
More than 50% of travelers to the Games are looking for accommodation that can welcome families or groups of three or more8 - which can be a better value than traditional accommodations. Some of the nationalities with a higher preference for group travel during the Games include travelers from the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.S., Spain and the U.K9. Airbnb recently introduced new features that make planning group trips easier than ever including shared wishlists, a redesigned messages tab that allows everyone on a trip to message with the host in a group thread and more.
As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Airbnb can help you find homes close to the action with the amenities you want most. Find out more at Airbnb.com.
1. Data in this newsroom post is as of end of Q1 2024
2. Searches made January 1 through March 31, 2024
3. Jan to March 2023 vs January to March 2024
4. Nights booked until April 1, 2024
5. According to the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
6. Nights booked to host areas between January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024 versus the same time in 2023.
7. Report carried out by Deloitte on behalf of Airbnb titled 'Airbnb's economic and social contributions in France during Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games'. Published April, 2023.
8. Based on bookings made by guests between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2024, for stays in and around the host cities during the period of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
9. Average guest count by country for bookings made by guests between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2024, for stays in and around the host cities during the period of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
