Paris 2024 set a new standard for Olympic Games that honors tradition while championing inclusivity and sustainability, the Games provided a unique opportunity to showcase France's rich heritage and strengthened its image as a must-visit destination.
12 million tickets were sold for the Games with nearly 5 billion viewers worldwide tuned in. Americans represented the second highest proportion of foreign ticket sales. Of the international tourists to Paris for the Games, Americans made up the largest percentage with 13.5 %.
Overall, in 2024, France welcomed over 100 million international tourists, generating 71 billion euros in revenue.
Nathalie Delattre, France's Minister of Tourism, observes: "2024 will remain engraved in history as an exceptional year for France. The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral have all contributed to an unprecedented level of international recognition for our country.
The Paris 2024 Games showcased France's ability to organize innovative, accessible, and secure major events while highlighting our regions. The whole world has dreamed while witnessing images of France—its landscapes, historical monuments, and iconic sites. This legacy commits us to continuing our ambition: making France the world's leading sustainable, innovative, and inclusive tourist destination by 2030."
Appropriately, sustainability was another key pillar of the 2024 Olympics. 95% of the infrastructure used for the Games already existed, 100% renewable energy powered the events alongside a 54% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the average for London and Rio Games.
The Games also accelerated major sustainability projects, including the Centre Aquatique Olympique, built with recycled materials and featuring a solar panel-covered roof, now serving local sports training and community activities.
Additionally, the Grand Paris Express, a transformative infrastructure project, is set to deliver over 200 km of automated metro lines and 68 new stations by 2030, significantly improving accessibility to key tourist destinations.
Looking ahead to 2025, the positive impact of the Games is expected to sustain this momentum. Forecasts indicate continued growth in international tourism arrivals, with air travel increasing by 10% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 and American arrivals specifically up 15%.
Visitors inspired by the Games can follow in the path of the torch, see the Olympic sites and beginning in June, witness the return of the Olympic Cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens.
The post-Olympic legacy, combined with France's diverse cultural and historical attractions, will continue to attract American visitors in large numbers.
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