Why Tourists Are Skipping Paris This Summer – Even Delta’s Concerned

The Paris Olympics are set to bring millions of visitors, but the city’s charm may lose its shine for many travelers. As disruptions mount, even major airlines like Delta are feeling the heat, forecasting a significant dip in revenue.

Paris Olympic Problems

The Olympic Games will attract millions of visitors to its host city of Paris this year. While the event will boost profits for countless businesses, not everyone is happy – including Delta Air Lines.

Olympic Disruptions

This week Delta reported that the ‘City of Love’ is expecting a major decline in tourist numbers this summer, as the Olympic developments disrupt some of the most popular tourist destinations in the French capital – including the river Seine. 

“People Aren’t Going to Paris”

“Unless you’re going to the Olympics, people aren’t going to Paris…very few are,” CEO Ed Bastian told reporters. “Business travel, you know, other types of tourism is potentially going elsewhere.”

Major Loss for Delta

This dearth of summer travelers signals a major loss for Delta, which usually sees big business ferrying visitors to and from Paris. 

$100 Million Drop in Revenue

With the largest share of air service to Paris of any US airline, the company is likely to lose as much as $100 million as a direct result of the Paris Olympics, as reported in its third-quarter profit and revenue forecast. 

Disappointing Forecast

The forecast was released on Thursday with revenue projections falling short of Wall Street expectations, with sales expected to rise no more than 4% in the current quarter, nearly 2% below the 5.8% growth predicted by LSEG analysts.

Two Airlines Most Affected?

Delta is not the only major airline affected by the Olympics. Due to a partnership between the two companies, both Delta and Air France have seen their forecasted revenue suffer. 

Air France Losing Too

Air France-KLM, the airline’s parent company, has reported an even larger projected revenue loss from the event. It expects to lose as much as 180 million euros ($195.5 million). 

Postponing Holidays

“International markets show a significant avoidance of Paris,” Air-France-KLM reported.  “Travel between the city and other destinations is also below the usual June-August average as residents in France seem to be postponing their holidays until after the Olympic Games or considering alternative travel plans.” 

70% Market Share

Together, Delta and Air France hold a 70% market share in flights to and from France and the US, according to a CNBC report. 

City Tourism Office Supports It

Projections from both airlines are supported by data from the city’s tourism office, which has also projected that Paris will see a 15% drop in foreign visitors across the month of July. 

During Peak Tourism Season

The Summer Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11 this year, which is part of the peak tourist season for Paris.

Mostly European Tourists

According to Le Monde, 15 million visitors are expected to rush to the city to see the Olympics. However, only 2 million of those people will come from overseas, with the rest traveling from within France and the wider European continent.

Overseas Visitors Avoiding It

Vacationers are likely to avoid the city during the Olympics period due to large crowds and much higher prices, particularly for accommodation. 

Changes to the Euro Summer

While the summer period is an important time for carriers operating in and out of Europe, Delta president Glen Hauenstein noted that travelers were already looking to push their vacations outside of the traditional European summer period.

Extending the Season

“We see the season extending as a whole group of people, whether or not it’s retirees, whether or not it’s people with double incomes and without children, who don’t have the school concerns,” he said in an earnings call.

Avoiding Summer Heat

“It’s actually a better time to go to Europe in September and October than it is potentially in July and August when the weather is so hot and everything is so packed,” he continued.

Demand Still High

Hausenstein also confirmed that despite the revenue loss for that period, demand for summer travel is still high across the board. “Outside of this temporary event, summer travel demand to Europe is strong and consistent with our expectations,” he added.

Japan Taking Off

While revenue in Europe is dipping for the Olympics, profits are picking up for Delta in other countries, such as Japan.

Favorable Exchange Rate

During the earnings call, Hausenstein described US travel to Japan as booming. This is thanks to the highly favorable exchange rate which has made travel in the country more affordable for US tourists.

18 Countries That Don’t Want American Visitors

It’s time for a reality check, American travelers. As you pack your bags and head overseas, ready to stamp your passport, it’s becoming glaringly obvious that not every destination is thrilled to see you. 18 Countries That Don’t Want American Visitors

18 Countries That Don’t Want American Visitors

It’s time for a reality check, American travelers. As you pack your bags and head overseas, ready to stamp your passport, it’s becoming glaringly obvious that not every destination is thrilled to see you. 18 Countries That Don’t Want American Visitors

18 High-Crime Cities in the US You Should Avoid

American cities promise rich culture and unforgettable experiences, but rising crime rates can catch travelers off guard. This guide helps you stay safe while fully enjoying your adventures. 18 High-Crime Cities in the US You Should Avoid

What Cruise Lines Don’t Want You to Know: 20 Candid Insights

Thinking about booking a cruise for your next getaway? Let’s have a real talk first. While cruising might seem like a breezy way to see the world, there are a few not-so-sunny truths that might make you reconsider. What Cruise Lines Don’t Want You to Know: 20 Candid Insights

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Markus Mainka.

The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional advice.

The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.

Tips for Trip Success

Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by using Kayak, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.

Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans of Booking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go to Expedia.

You Need Travel Insurance!
Good travel insurance means having total peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you when your medical insurance often will not and better than what you get from your credit card. It will provide comprehensive coverage should you need medical treatment or return to the United States, compensation for trip interruption, baggage loss, and other situations.Find the Perfect Insurance Plan for Your Trip

PassingThru is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

To view PassingThru’s privacy policy, click here.