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The 2024 Summer Olympics are a huge success in Paris, France, but local businesses report that sales are anything but booming.
Despite the influx of visitors and tourists coming to the games, local business owners report quiet summer days due to several factors affecting the city and surrounding areas, including vandalism and security issues.
In addition to increased security measures across the city, including metal detectors and police checkpoints, access to certain landmarks and tourist attractions is also restricted and limited for visitors, meaning that surrounding businesses suffer.
Related: Delta CEO says airline will suffer $100 million loss due to 2024 Paris Olympics
“It's been very quiet since the beginning of June,” Jean-Pierre Salson, owner of a men's clothing store, told the Associated Press. “In July, it's even worse. There are far fewer tourists from all countries. I think they're avoiding France and Paris because they're afraid of the Olympics.”
While Parisians often choose to leave the city for their summer holidays, tourists without tickets to the games also avoid the area.
In a joint statement to Paris24, a group of unions from the restaurant, hotel, retail and nightclub sectors said that despite optimistic forecasts, “many traders have seen a 30 percent drop in turnover compared to previous years.”
Hotel prices have also skyrocketed, prompting visitors to choose other European destinations for their holidays this summer.
“It's very quiet now,” said Guillaume Faller, a restaurant manager in Paris, according to AP. “Much quieter than the same period last year. But I think it will recover in a few days. At least that's what I hope.”
The airlines are also severely affected.
Related topics: Olympic athletes in Paris: Food a “disaster”, teams hire chefs
Earlier this month, Delta Airlines announced that the company expected a quarterly loss of $100 million due to the Olympic Games.
“If you don't go to the Olympics, people aren't going to Paris…very few,” CEO Ed Bastian said at the time. “Business travel and other types of tourism may migrate elsewhere.”
The 2024 Summer Olympics began on Friday, July 26, and will last until Sunday, August 11.
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