Surge in Accommodation Demand for 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

Surge in Accommodation Demand for 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 18, 2024

As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris approaches, the hospitality sector is experiencing a significant surge in demand for accommodations. Both Sojern and Amadeus have provided valuable insights into the trends and data surrounding this increased interest, highlighting the global excitement for the event and its impact on travel and lodging.

Airbnb has reported an astonishing 400% increase in bookings for the Paris region during the upcoming Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. This surge reflects the heightened global interest in the event, with travelers from over 160 countries and regions already securing their stays in and around Paris. Additionally, the number of active Airbnb listings in the Paris region has grown by 40% as of March 31, significantly boosting the availability of accommodations for guests.

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According to Amadeus’ Demand360+® business intelligence data, hotel occupancy rates in France are seeing notable increases. For the week of July 28, 2024, hotel occupancy rates are up 86% compared to the same week last year, and up 88% for the first week of August. In Paris, hotels are nearing full capacity with an occupancy rate of 81% for the week of July 28 and 76% for the week of August 4. These figures indicate that travelers planning last-minute trips may face challenges in securing accommodations.

The rise in accommodation demand is not limited to Paris. Lille, which will host basketball and handball events, is experiencing a dramatic increase in bookings. Visitor numbers to Lille are set to more than quadruple, with overall bookings up by 203% compared to last summer. This includes a 300% increase in domestic travelers and a 181% rise in international visitors.

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Marseille and Bordeaux, hosting sailing and football events, respectively, are also seeing significant spikes in bookings. Both cities report a 38% increase in bookings, indicating that travelers are eager to explore beyond the capital city.

While international travelers flock to Paris, many Parisians are choosing to escape the city during the Olympics. Hotel bookings by Parisians traveling to other parts of France are up 49% during the Olympic season compared to 2023. Popular destinations for these staycations include Lille, Nice, Corsica, Lyon, and Toulouse. This trend offers hoteliers in these regions an opportunity to attract local tourists and capitalize on the increased demand.

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Despite the surge in demand, the average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in Paris is down 13% at $724 USD, and down 7% at $616 USD for the rest of France, compared to an earlier analysis on April 1, 2024. This decline in ADR suggests that travelers might still find reasonably priced accommodations if they book early.

The 2024 Summer Olympics are not only bringing a global audience to Paris but also driving travel and accommodation demand across the country. Whether through traditional hotels or alternative accommodations like Airbnb, visitors are eager to be part of this historic event, as evident from the reports.

Image credits: iStock, Unsplash, olympics.com


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

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