The Summer Olympics in Paris was undoubtedly one of the most-anticipated events this year, drawing millions from all over the globe to the French Capital.
And while all eyes were on the world’s top athletes, another contender was being tested—Paris, the city itself, as the host of the Games.
From accommodation prices to local sentiment, the Olympics definitely left a lasting mark on Paris, defining the city’s atmosphere, tourism, and economy this summer.
But the big question remains—did Paris win gold?
Through data gathered from our all-in-one destination marketing platform, D / AI Destinations, we dive into the key metrics such as public sentiment, digital activity, and rate trends to see how the city fared throughout these unforgettable weeks.
So, where does Paris land on the podium?
1. Paris scores big in Sentiment and wins over visitors with a perfect 87/100
Winning over its visitors is an easy game for Paris. Despite the hustle and bustle of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Paris still managed to maintain a stellar Sentiment Score of 87/100. That’s a positive increase of 0.3 points from early 2024, and a significant increase of 1.8 compared to the same period in 2023.
Visitors and locals alike seem to have appreciated the vibrant atmosphere the Olympics brought along — contributing to the positive view of the city. And despite some hurdles, Paris kept its irresistible allure, reminding everyone why ‘Paris is always a good idea’.
Source: D / AI Destinations
2. Shifts in popularity and visitor activity
Paris’s Popularity Index during the 2024 Summer Olympics stands at 81/100 — down by just 1.7% from the same period last year.
Our Popularity Index, a proxy for footfall, helps destinations learn how areas with significant POIs—such as iconic landmarks and popular venues—interact with visitor satisfaction.
During the Games, the volume of digital traces associated with these POIs experienced notable fluctuations. As the Olympics progressed, certain areas saw a surge in attention and activity, reflecting their heightened appeal.
On the other hand, some neighbourhoods experienced a drop in digital traces, likely due to the displacement of residents and the influx of tourists, as indicated by a recent analysis we carried out with Mabrian.
This score sheds light on how different regions of Paris were perceived and used during the Games, highlighting the dynamic interplay between visitor interest and local popularity.
Source: D / AI Destinations
3. Online activity peaks and declines during the Olympics
The volume of digital traces during the 2024 Summer Olympics provides valuable insights into public engagement throughout the event.
As the Games approached, the volume of digital interactions began to rise, reaching its peak during the early days of the Olympics when interest was at its highest.
Following this peak, the volume gradually decreased as the event continued. This trend highlights how public focus intensified during key moments and then subsided as the Games progressed.
4. Increased OTA rates offset by significant pre-game reductions
The average Online Travel Agency (OTA) rate during the 2024 Summer Olympics was 352€.
This rate represents a 37% increase compared to the prior year, yet it is over 50% lower than the OTA rates recorded in February for the same Olympic dates.
This comparison sheds light on the pricing strategies adopted by online booking agencies.
While accommodation costs surged compared to the previous year, they remained significantly lower than anticipated rates set before the Games.
This pricing trend indicates a strategic adjustment by operators to balance high demand with market competitiveness.
The impact on visitors is clear: despite higher rates, prices were managed to ensure accessibility and attract bookings during the peak Olympic period.
In fact, OTA saturation reached 75%, indicating that most hotels and short-term rentals were still sold out.
Source: D / AI Destinations
Measuring the metrics that matter
Keeping track of metrics such as sentiment, popularity, digital traces, and accommodation rates provides valuable insights into large-scale events such as the 2024 Summer Olympics.
As we’ve seen, these indicators help us understand how the city managed the influx of visitors and the overall experience of hosting such a major event.
So, ultimately, where does Paris stand on the podium?
Both the data and the feedback from people are the true judges. Paris has demonstrated its ability to handle the pressures and complexities of hosting the Olympics, proving it stood the test with distinction.
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