The Olympic Games Paris 2024 ended with a bang, featuring Tom Cruise abseiling from the roof of the Stade de France, and performances from Snoop Dogg, Billie Eilish and Dr Dre as Paris passed the proverbial torch to Los Angeles, which is set to house the 2028 Olympics.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 games, Visa, the official payment technology partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, has revealed the impact they had on tourism and spending in France.
Not only did Paris attract 42 per cent more Visa cardholders in the first week of the Olympic Games than in the same period in 2023, but other cities hosting Olympic Games events also saw significant increases in visitors and spending, especially among fans who attended the competitions.
Other Paris 2024 host cities also benefited from the Olympic Games, with Lille seeing a 188 per cent increase in visitors, Saint-Etienne 150 per cent, and Marseille 48 per cent.
Charlotte Hogg, chief executive officer of Visa Europe
“Our data shows a boost for the Parisian economy from hosting the Olympic Games,” explained Charlotte Hogg, chief executive officer of Visa Europe. “Paris has consistently been one of the most visited cities in the world, but I’m sure that the amazing experience of being in the city for the Olympic Games or watching the events at the many iconic venues from afar will draw many more visitors in the years to come. We’re delighted to have played our part in making the Olympic Games Paris 2024 a truly unforgettable experience.”
Unsurprisingly, Visa cardholders spent more in Paris than in 2023, with the UK leading the year-on-year growth with a 42 per cent increase in spending, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (34 per cent) and the US (32 per cent).
Ensuring contactless success
Visa cardholders who attended the Paris 2024 competitions spent 20 per cent more than those who did not, with 39 per cent of European fans (excluding France) spending more.
The most significant year-on-year increase in spending levels in Paris was seen in restaurants, which benefitted from a 49 per cent increase.
Working alongside the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the last three years, Visa built a custom payment network across Paris and beyond, which ensured Visa contactless payments were accepted at 3,500 points of sale across 32 Olympic venues and 16 Paralympic venues.
Visa cardholders from the US are the largest share of visitors from any country with a 72 per cent year-on-year growth, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (+62 per cent) and Asia Pacific (+57 per cent).
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