The French association UFC-Que Choisir carried out a study in 80 hotels located near the Seine River, where the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games will take place.
In 20% of the hotels, prices skyrocket from the opening night: the average of 317 euros per night rose to 1,033 euros, an increase of 226%.
Many tourists hope to visit the French capital: “We are happy to have come to Paris now because we would not have the means to come during the Olympic Games.”
Price increases are not regulated, for example, a three-star hotel near the Seine, which cost 294 euros a night, rose to 2,362 euros on the night of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games: an increase of 700%.
Charline Peltier, a hotel owner in Paris, also hopes to increase prices. “In a classic period, without the Olympic Games, we charge 330 euros per night for the fourth classic: we will increase it to 530 euros at the start of the Olympic Games, starting on July 26,” she says. An increase of 66%, which the owner justifies due to the high market demand.
“I have to align myself a little with my fellow competitors in the area. We are going to live an exceptional and unique adventure… so we try to enjoy it a little too,” he adds.
Inflation in the hotel industry was also caused by prices proposed by individuals.
“There are those who rent a single room on the opening night of the Olympic Games for 600 euros. A studio for 1,000 euros. All this has triggered an inflation phenomenon. What must also be said is that, until now, few hotels have opened reservations for the period of the Olympic Games,” recalls the president of the Paris Union of Commerce and Hospitality, Frank Delvau.
The union leader believes that hotel professionals are aware that they will only benefit from these increases for a short period of time and calls for price moderation. “We ask for some moderation, but the hoteliers are very aware: they also have a regular clientele, they are not going to deprive themselves of their regular clientele because the Olympic Games start on July 26 and end on August 11. Afterwards, life goes on,” he concluded.
16 million tourists are expected in the French capital during the Olympic Games, which will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Source: TSF
