July 17, 2024
Organizing an event is always a challenging task, but it becomes even more demanding when it coincides with a significant event like the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The influx of visitors, heightened security measures, and increased demand for resources require event planners to be exceptionally strategic, however, CWT Meetings & Events’ Bertrand D’Argoeuves suggests that maybe avoid hosting business events in Paris for the duration, unless, of course, they’re related to the big event itself.
The Olympics are probably the biggest sport and cultural event that countries have the honor of hosting. The host city is voted by the Olympic Committee against several other countries. Many different criteria are taken into consideration (including participation rate as host in the Games’ history, size of the country, existence of sport facilities, quality of transportation network, and capacity to develop some specific architectural building in a short time). The hosting country has the time to prepare, build, create, renovate, and get ready to welcome thousands of tourists coming to enjoy the show for a two-month duration.
Host cities are chosen at least 8 to 10 years prior to the event. Most of the well-developed countries, well equipped in terms of sport venues, dream to host the Olympic Games at home. It is such an economic boost for the host across many sectors including F&B, accommodation, tourism, retail, and sports events of course, as well as leaves a legacy for sports stars of the future!
Is there any space for something else during this period?
As one of the biggest events, the entire country is mobilized. In terms of security, the public transport and the road network are being adapted or modified to commute more efficiently. Hotels have been working hard to get ready for this once in a century event. Numerous technology investments are made to navigate various services and demonstrate that the host is ahead of the game.
Everyone seems to come to a standstill a few weeks before the opening ceremony. This year’s Olympics marks a century since they were last held in Paris. Given how rare it is to host the Olympic Games, I doubt Parisians will recognize their city in terms of its atmosphere.
So how do you plan and hold meetings and events in a European capital during the Olympics?
In short – you don’t (unless it’s associated with the event itself).
Hotel bookings were made months in advance, with massive inflation on the prices: 50% up on the Parisian market but with an occupancy of 25% lower than last year at the same time so far. Hoteliers expect and hope for some last minutes bookings as the Games get closer.
For the rest of the country, it is similar, prices have risen up to 32% in major cities like Marseille, Lyon, Nice and Bordeaux with 9% occupancy level compared to last year. The south of France however doesn’t need the Olympics to have a full occupancy rate. The French riviera is always a tourist hot spot in the summertime.
It is interesting to see that there aren’t any B2B bookings for meeting space, and there is hardly any corporate event: firstly, because the prices of accommodation are very expensive. Secondly, it has been communicated for months that getting around in Paris during the games will be complicated. The entire city will breathe the Olympics and will be configured for the Olympics. This does not really motivate companies to organize meetings during this time.
On a wider scale, all the major summer sport and cultural events in France are cancelled, except for the “Tour de France”. Major summer music festivals are also cancelled, for security reasons. Most of the security manpower will be mobilized for the Olympic Games and won’t be available for other big events.
Organizing an event during the Olympic Games is quite ambitious, but with flexibility, a simple brief, a lot of anticipation and with a sharp expertise of the Parisian market, it is possible – but expensive - to make it a success!