Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology provider powering the global travel industry, has released an in-depth report that captures the key travel trends observed during the event and observations for post-Olympics travel.

The Olympics in France brought a surge of travelers to the host cities, but also saw an increase in outbound travel as people sought quieter destinations before the Games began. Sabre’s analysis revealed that air travel to the main host cities during the Olympic period was up by 31% compared to the previous year. However, there was also a rise in travelers leaving host cities ahead of the event, particularly families with children looking for more peaceful locations away from the excitement.

Sabre’s in-depth study uncovered 11 key findings regarding the travel impact of the Olympics:

• International travel to major host cities increased by 31% in the first week of the Games.
• Outbound travel from France in the week before the Olympics rose by 13% as travelers headed to quieter destinations.
• International airline capacity to France increased by 7% during the Games.
• Domestic air capacity in France decreased following the ban on short-haul domestic flights.
• The busiest day for travel to host cities was July 25th, with a 76% increase in travel the day before the opening ceremony.
• Olympic travelers booked their plans well in advance, with bookings made over 10 months ahead up by 165% compared to the previous year.
• Fares for the Olympic weeks decreased as the Games approached.
• The highest boost in international travel to France came from North America and Asia Pacific.
• Paris saw an influx of visitors in the first two weeks of the Games, while other host cities saw more travelers in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.
• Solo travelers and couples saw an increase in travel, while family travel decreased as families sought quieter destinations.
• Travel from New York and Tokyo to Paris for the upcoming Paralympics games is significantly up.

The Paris Olympics drew a large number of local and international spectators, with a 31% increase in international air travel to the main host cities in the first week of the Games. Paris experienced a 33% increase in inbound international air passengers during the week of the opening ceremony, while other host cities like Lille (51%), Nantes (35%), and Bordeaux (33%) also saw a boost in air travel.

Paris trips were concentrated in the first two weeks of the Olympics, with the opening ceremony week seeing the highest increase in passengers compared to the previous year. However, other host cities experienced a rise in travelers in the weeks leading up to the Games, suggesting that visitors took the opportunity to explore different regions of France before attending the Olympic events. Olympic organizers encouraged travelers to explore each host city, promoting non-Games-related attractions on the official Games website.

Overall, the Olympics in France brought both an influx of travelers to the host cities and an increase in outbound travel as people sought different experiences before the Games began.

However, not everyone was heading in the same direction of travel. As well as the mass influx of travelers excited to see their favorite teams and athletes, there was also an increase in outbound travel from France in the week before the Games, with outbound travel from the host cities up 13% overall in the week before opening ceremony week, compared to the same calendar week last year.

Last-minute travel but long-term planning

The majority of travelers rushed to arrive for the Games at the last minute. The day before the opening ceremony saw a significant increase in inbound travel, with 76% more travelers compared to the previous year. However, despite the last-minute rush, most travelers actually planned their Olympic trips well in advance.

Bookings made to host cities more than six, eight, and ten months in advance showed a substantial year-on-year increase for the first week of the Olympics. Many passengers made sure to secure their airline seats months ahead of the Games.

There was a 165% increase in bookings made more than 10 months in advance for the week of the opening ceremony, compared to the previous year. This shows the trend of travelers booking their trips well in advance of the Games.

Fares up and down

While fares to host cities were generally higher year-on-year for travelers making their bookings ahead of time, fare prices then typically decreased for bookings made for Olympic dates in the first two quarters of 2024.

The highest average fare prices were 10 months before the event, matching the high demand we saw for advance bookings. Average fares for bookings made 10 months in advance were up 88% for the week before the Olympics, and then steadily reduced until they were below comparable dates for last year.

Traveling companions

Traveling companions had a significant impact on Olympic travel behavior. Solo and couple bookings to host cities during the weeks of the Olympics increased by 69% and 31% respectively compared to last year. It is possible that groups of friends traveled together but made separate bookings. Families, on the other hand, were less likely to attend the Olympics, perhaps choosing quieter vacation destinations instead. The data below shows the increase or decrease in travel for different groups of travelers during the Olympic weeks compared to the same dates last year.

Airline capacity fluctuates during Olympics

During the three-week period of the Olympics, airlines boosted capacity to France by 7% compared to the previous year in response to increased demand for travel to the Games. However, domestic airline capacity within France actually decreased by 4% during this time.

This decrease in domestic capacity may be attributed to the ban on short flights in France, which could now be easily replaced by a 2.5-hour train ride. Despite this, key routes connecting Olympic cities, such as Nice to Paris and Marseilles to Paris, saw an increase in capacity of up to 21% during the Olympic period.

The Olympics in Paris attracted travelers from all over the world, but which countries were most likely to have been represented at the Games?

During the first week of the Olympics, we saw the biggest increase in travelers from Asia Pacific, with North America following closely behind. The surge in visitors was especially notable from the US, Japan, and China, which experienced significant year-on-year growth. While travel from other regions also increased, the rise was not as pronounced.

Below, you can see the top 10 cities for outbound travel to Olympic host cities, with the percentage increase (or decrease) showing the amount of air travel, as compared to last year. 

During the Olympics, New York and Tokyo were the top cities sending travelers to France. Paris, Marseilles, and Lyon experienced a noticeable increase in visitors from New York, while Paris, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and Nantes saw a surge in interest from Tokyo. It seems that travelers from Japan were particularly interested in watching their national football teams play in cities other than Paris.

Although overall travel to Tahiti, where the Olympic surfing events were held, did not see a significant increase, there were notable spikes in travelers from certain regions to Tahiti’s international airport. For instance, travel from Tokyo to Tahiti increased by 1450% in the first week of the Olympics, and by 2200% from Nantes.

Looking ahead to the Paralympics

The Paralympics are also leading to an uptick in travel. While overall travel to Paris remains slightly below last year, New York and Tokyo are once more leading the way when it comes to sporting travel. Travel from New York to Paris on August 27^th, the day before the Paralympics starts, is up 79%, and from Tokyo up 71% compared to last year.

A complex picture 

Sabre’s travel analysis reveals the intricate dynamics that major events like the Olympics create for the travel industry. The Olympics can be likened to a game of two halves, with one side experiencing a surge in travel to host cities from solo travelers and couples eager to witness the games, while the other side sees families and groups opting for quieter destinations to avoid the Olympic rush.

This contrast emphasizes the need for the travel ecosystem, including airlines, travel agencies, and hoteliers, to leverage advanced technology to understand and cater to the diverse preferences of travelers. As the industry prepares for future global events, the ability to anticipate and respond to individual travel needs will be essential. This approach will enable the travel sector to offer personalized experiences, whether travelers are seeking the excitement of the event or a peaceful retreat from it.