Early flight bookings to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games & Paralympic Games by business travellers have risen by 123 per cent compared to the same period last year as corporates seem keen to capitalise on the global sporting event.
Specialising in business travel for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), Corporate Traveller anticipates 200 per cent year-on-year growth in Paris flight bookings as the Paris 2024 Olympics draws near.
The 33rd Olympic Games will predominantly be held in the French capital along with other regional cities from 26 July – 11 August 2024 with forward bookings from Australia to Paris still going strong around those key dates.
Corporate Traveller figures also show a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in Rome flight bookings from Australia between 22 July and 12 August 2024, underlining the ‘bleisure’ trend among Australian business travellers to extend their work trips.
France stays also surge for Paris 2024
French hotel group Accor reports that 71 per cent of its rooms in host cities, including Paris, are already booked with occupancy expected to reach 85 per cent during the event.
Among Accor’s 650 hotels across France, a significant number are in Paris and other host cities, ensuring a good stay selection is still available for attendees.
Booking.com also recently reported an up to 210 per cent surge in France accommodation searches during the Games period.
Paris 2024 is prime networking time
Corporate Traveller Global Managing Director Tom Walley said global sporting events such as Paris 2024 offer the world’s best networking opportunities for businesses and organisations.
“They enable thousands of businesses from all corners to come together and foster key connections and partnerships. Our high corporate flight bookings suggest a pent-up demand,” he said.
“The fact that Corporate Traveller has already seen a 123 per cent hike in bookings for the Paris Games period amid an economic pinch shows Australian businesses see the value in attending and investing in major events such as these.
“And with booking demand remaining high as corporates take advantage of still available flights and hotels, we expect our final figures around the two key weeks of the Games to double the year-on-year average.”
