and what you can do about it

Are you traveling to Paris for business during the Olympics this summer?

The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Over 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will be throwing, swimming, running, cycling and more for the chance to grab a gold medal and make Olympic history. For Olympic surfers, this dream begins not in France but on the waves of Teahupo’o, Tahiti in French Polynesia— a French oversees territory 15,000 km away from Paris.

The Olympics are not only a highlight for sports fans but also for business travellers. The Games attract people from around the world, creating a unified atmosphere of athletic competition regardless of language or belief differences.

Maar met naar schatting 15 miljoen bezoekers die volgens het toeristenbureau However, with an estimated 15 million visitors planning to attend the event, according to the tourism bureau “Paris je t’aime”, business travel to and within Europe will almost certainly be affected. In this article, we explore how the Paris 2024 Olympics might impact business travel and offer expert tips and advice to help keep your trip on track.

Streets Will Be Busier and Public Transport Will Be More Crowded

Various reports suggest that 2024 will set new records for the number of visitors traveling to mainland Europe, with the Paris Olympics being a major driving force. Whether records are broken or not, one thing is certain: the French capital will have to handle an influx of visitors that will push its transport infrastructure to its limits.

If you are traveling to France for business during the Olympics, expect delays on the metro, buses, and trains in Paris and the surrounding towns and villages, especially during peak hours and around event locations. Not only will the streets of Paris feel the strain, but neighbouring countries like Spain and Germany might also see an increase in travellers and tourists, as Olympic visitors are likely to extend their trips to other parts of Europe.

What can you do about it?

Check road and public transport conditions before departure and leave early. From the Netherlands, you can reach Paris by train (Eurostar) in less than 4 hours without traffic or other delays.
If you’re coming from outside Europe, consider flying to a less busy European city before taking the train to Paris. Just make sure you have all relevant identification and documents on hand and make sure that they are still valid when you leave France.

Here are some recommended destinations and travel times to Paris:

• Amsterdam: 3 hours 30 minutes (Eurostar)
• Londen: 2 hours (Eurostar)
• Brussel: 2 hours (Eurostar)
• Genève: 3 hours (TGV Lyria)
• Frankfurt: 4 hours (TGV INOUI)

Accommodations will be more expensive and harder to find

With millions of visitors expected in Paris, accommodation costs will rise as providers take advantage of the Olympics’ popularity to increase their profits. Available rooms in Paris are in high demand—many hotel rooms and rentals have already been reserved by sports fans eager to make the most of their time at the Games.

According to analyses by The Independent and Lighthouse Data, the hotel occupancy rate in Paris during the Games is expected to be between 60% and 70%, with overall hotel rates about 95% higher than usual. Neighbouring countries will also be eyeing the profits they can make during the event, so be prepared to spend more on hotels throughout Europe.

What can you do about it?

Avoid Staying in Paris on Sunday, August 4. According to reports, this will be the most expensive date to book a hotel during the Games. The Independent reported that a room in a five-star hotel on this date costs an average of €1,566 per night.

Contact Your VCK Travel Team: If you are a VCK Travel customer, your dedicated team of travel experts can find rates cheaper than anywhere else on the internet.

The French and International political situation will add extra tension

The parliamentary elections have already taken place in France, but there is still no new government. The elections have caused significant political change in France. Such a major political change can cause unrest in the capital, whether due to increased media attention or politically motivated tensions.
The situation in other parts of the world can also cause unrest and uncertainty that might adversely affect business travel during the Olympics.

What can you do about it?

It is advisable to monitor any political developments if you are traveling to Paris for business. This way, you can prepare for possible events. Keep an eye on the media just before departure, check the latest advice from travel operators, and follow the advice of the French authorities on the spot. Also, keep an eye on the France Travel Advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at .
https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/reisadvies/frankrijk.