Many Flemings are planning a trip to Paris for the Olympics next summer. But taxes and prices in the French capital are already on the rise as the city gears up for this sporting extravaganza. Many will be prepared to pay through the nose. But more and more Flemings who are not interested in sports are deciding to avoid Paris next summer.
Paris tumbles in city break Top 10 as unathletic Flemings decide to give it wide berth
Colin Clapson
Published:
Since the start of the year the tourist tax on an overnight stay in Paris in a 3-star hotel has risen from 1.88 euros to 5.20 euros a night. At 5-star hotels, e.g. at Disneyland Paris, the nightly tax stands at 10.73 euros a person.
Motorway tolls rise every year. This year the average rise is 2.7 percent, but on longer trips a 6 percent rise is the more likely outcome, VRT’s France editor Steven Decraene explains.
Train bookings for the Olympic period open on 31 January. Steven expects prices will be well up on the year as they depend on supply and demand and many people are expected to show an interest in attending the Olympics in person.
Because of the extra demand both the French and Belgian national railway companies are examining the possibility of running new regular services between the Belgian and French capitals. Journeys could take longer than the highspeed Eurstar, but prices should be lower.
There is already evidence Flemings who are not interested in sports will be avoiding Paris this summer. Tour operator TUI has noticed a 23 percent decrease in bookings for city breaks in Paris. Last year Paris was the number two city break destination in Flanders. This year the French capital has already fallen to 7th place. Exorbitant pricing is clearly to blame. “Paris hoteliers are eager to make a fast euro” says Steven. “At many hotels prices have already trebled. We’re talking about 400 to 500 euros for a single night in modest accommodation!” It's hardly surprising Flemings not interested in sports are thinking twice before booking a trip to Paris this summer. The Paris Olympics are staged from 26 July to 11 August 2024.