The 2024 Paris Olympic Games promised a surge in tourism and revenue for Parisian businesses. But the reality for many in the city's service sector was the opposite. Security measures around central Olympic venues significantly hindered access to shops, leading to plummeting sales in some cases. Tom Denaive, a jewelry store owner near the Louvre, described the economic impact as "dramatic" and reminiscent of the bleak days during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data showed a 22% drop in Louvre visits during the Games compared to the year prior, and a 45% decrease during the two weeks before the games. Marina Orlando, manager at luxury candle brand Diptyque, reported a 29% decrease in sales year over year. Despite an influx of 1.7 million international and 1.4 million French tourists, Orlando believes shopping was just not a priority: "They were here for the sports." Patrick Aboukrat, whose association represents businesses in the Marais neighborhood, described the period as "more than catastrophic," with sales plummeting by up to 40% on average.
Government officials, however, defended the security measures as necessary. Olivia Grégoire, head of the ministry for companies, tourism, and consumption, claimed that the overall tourism benefits would surpass previous years. A commission to assess compensation claims will start reviewing cases in January, though only businesses within the high-security zones are eligible to apply. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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