Visa Data Shows Spending at the 2024 Olympic Games is Boosting the French Economy
Visa, the Official Payment Technology Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, has released data showing significant consumer spending increases during the 2024 Paris Games. Small businesses in Paris saw a 26% year-on-year rise in sales during the opening weekend. Notable spending increases were observed in theatres & museums (+159%), food & grocery (+42%), and restaurants (+36%).
The largest share of overseas spend comes from U.S. Visa cardholders (29%), with substantial year-on-year increases from Brazilian (+33%) and Japanese (+129%) cardholders. Contactless payments accounted for 78% of international purchases, up 9% from the previous year. Flight bookings to Paris increased by 39%, with a 120% growth in travelers under 35. Cities hosting Olympic events outside Paris also experienced significant spending increases.
Visa, il Partner Ufficiale della Tecnologia dei Pagamenti per i Giochi Olimpici e Paralimpici, ha rilasciato dati che mostrano un significativo aumento della spesa dei consumatori durante i Giochi di Parigi 2024. Le piccole imprese a Parigi hanno registrato un aumento delle vendite del 26% rispetto all'anno precedente durante il weekend di apertura. Incrementi notevoli nella spesa sono stati osservati in teatri e musei (+159%), alimentari e generi vari (+42%) e ristoranti (+36%).
La maggiore quota di spesa dall'estero proviene dai titolari di carte Visa statunitensi (29%), con notevoli aumenti anno su anno da parte dei titolari brasiliani (+33%) e giapponesi (+129%). I pagamenti contactless hanno rappresentato il 78% degli acquisti internazionali, con un incremento del 9% rispetto all'anno precedente. Le prenotazioni di voli per Parigi sono aumentate del 39%, con una crescita del 120% nei viaggiatori sotto i 35 anni. Anche le città che ospitano eventi olimpici al di fuori di Parigi hanno registrato significativi aumenti di spesa.
Visa, el Socio Oficial de Tecnología de Pagos de los Juegos Olímpicos y Paralímpicos, ha publicado datos que muestran un aumento significativo en el gasto de los consumidores durante los Juegos de París 2024. Las pequeñas empresas en París vieron un aumento del 26% en las ventas en comparación con el año anterior durante el fin de semana de apertura. Se observaron incrementos notables en el gasto en teatros y museos (+159%), alimentos y comestibles (+42%) y restaurantes (+36%).
La mayor parte del gasto extranjero proviene de titulares de tarjetas Visa de EE. UU. (29%), con aumentos sustanciales año a año de titulares brasileños (+33%) y japoneses (+129%). Los pagos sin contacto representaron el 78% de las compras internacionales, un aumento del 9% respecto al año anterior. Las reservas de vuelos a París aumentaron un 39%, con un crecimiento del 120% en los viajeros menores de 35 años. Las ciudades que albergan eventos olímpicos fuera de París también experimentaron aumentos significativos en el gasto.
비자(Visa)는 올림픽 및 패럴림픽 게임의 공식 결제 기술 파트너로서, 2024년 파리 게임 동안 소비자 지출이 크게 증가했다는 데이터를 발표했습니다. 파리의 소상공인은 개막 주말 동안 판매가 전년 대비 26% 증가했습니다. 극장 및 박물관에서는 (+159%), 식품 및 식료품 (+42%) 및 레스토랑 (+36%)에서 눈에 띄는 지출 증가가 관찰되었습니다.
해외 지출의 가장 큰 비율은 미국 비자 카드 소지자(29%)로부터 나옵니다, 브라질 (+33%) 및 일본 (+129%) 카드 소지자들로부터 상당한 연간 증가가 있었습니다. 비접촉 결제가 국제 구매의 78%를 차지했으며, 이는 전년 대비 9% 증가한 수치입니다. 파리로의 항공편 예약은 39% 증가하였고, 35세 이하 여행자는 120% 증가했습니다. 파리를 제외한 올림픽 이벤트를 개최하는 도시들 또한 상당한 지출 증가를 경험했습니다.
Visa, le Partenaire Officiel de la Technologie de Paiement des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques, a publié des données montrant une augmentation significative des dépenses des consommateurs durant les Jeux de Paris 2024. Les petites entreprises à Paris ont connu une hausse de 26 % des ventes par rapport à l’année précédente lors du week-end d’ouverture. Des augmentations notables de dépenses ont été observées dans les théâtres et musées (+159 %), l'alimentation et les produits d'épicerie (+42 %) et les restaurants (+36 %).
La plus grande part des dépenses étrangères provient des titulaires de cartes Visa américaines (29 %), avec des augmentations significatives d'une année sur l'autre pour les titulaires brésiliens (+33 %) et japonais (+129 %). Les paiements sans contact représentaient 78 % des achats internationaux, en hausse de 9 % par rapport à l’année précédente. Les réservations de vols vers Paris ont augmenté de 39 %, avec une croissance de 120 % des voyageurs de moins de 35 ans. Les villes accueillant des événements olympiques en dehors de Paris ont également connu des augmentations significatives de dépenses.
Visa, der offizielle Zahlungstechnologiepartner der Olympischen und Paralympischen Spiele, hat Daten veröffentlicht, die einen signifikanten Anstieg der Konsumausgaben während der Spiele in Paris 2024 zeigen. Kleine Unternehmen in Paris verzeichneten am Eröffnungswochenende einen Umsatzanstieg von 26% im Vergleich zum Vorjahr. Bedeutende Ausgabenerhöhungen wurden in Theatern und Museen (+159%), Lebensmitteln und Lebensmittelgeschäften (+42%) sowie Restaurants (+36%) beobachtet.
Die größte Ausgabenquote aus dem Ausland stammt von US-Visa-Karteninhabern (29%), mit erheblichen jährlichen Zuwächsen bei brasilianischen (+33%) und japanischen (+129%) Karteninhabern. Kontaktlose Zahlungen machten 78% der internationalen Einkäufe aus, was einem Anstieg von 9% im Vergleich zum Vorjahr entspricht. Die Flugbuchungen nach Paris stiegen um 39%, wobei die Zahl der Reisenden unter 35 Jahren um 120% zunahm. Auch Städte, die Olympische Veranstaltungen außerhalb von Paris ausrichten, erlebten signifikante Ausgabenerhöhungen.
- 26% year-on-year increase in sales for small businesses in Paris during the opening weekend
- Significant spending increases across various sectors: theatres & museums (+159%), food & grocery (+42%), restaurants (+36%)
- 78% of international purchases in Paris were contactless, up 9% year-on-year
- 39% increase in flight bookings to Paris compared to the same period in 2023
- 120% year-on-year growth in travelers under 35 to Paris
- Substantial spending increases in other Olympic event host cities: Saint-Etienne (+214%), Lille (+100%), Marseille (+38%)
- None.
Insights
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are proving to be a significant economic catalyst for France, particularly benefiting small businesses and key sectors. The 26% year-on-year rise in sales for small businesses during the opening weekend is a strong indicator of the Games' positive impact. Notably, sectors like theaters & museums (
The influx of international visitors, especially from the U.S., Brazil and Japan, is driving this economic boost. The 39% increase in flight bookings to Paris compared to 2023 suggests a robust recovery in tourism post-pandemic. The
The spending patterns during the 2024 Olympic Games reveal interesting consumer behavior trends. The 78% contactless payment rate among international purchases, up
The significant increase in spending in cities hosting Olympic events outside Paris, such as Saint-Etienne (
The biggest share of overseas spend comes from
-
Small businesses in
Paris benefitted from a26% year-on-year rise in sales from Visa cardholders during the first weekend of the Olympic Games -
Most significant increase in spending levels in
Paris were seen in theatres & museums +159% , food & grocery +42% , restaurants +36% , retail goods +21% , entertainment +18% -
The largest share of overseas spend comes from
U.S. Visa cardholders (29% ), with significant year-on-year increases from Brazilian (+33% ) and Japanese (+129% ) Visa cardholders. -
78% of international purchases inParis have been contactless, up9% year-on-year -
39% increase in flight bookings toParis in the lead up to the Games over the same period in 2023 -
Increased travel to
Paris by travelers under the age of 35, growing120% year-on-year -
Travelers to
Paris from theU.S. increased the most from the previous year (+64% ), followed byGermany (+61% ) andSpain (+27% ) -
Spending is also up significantly in cities hosting Olympic events outside
Paris including Saint-Etienne (+214% ),Lille (+100% ) andMarseille (+38% )
Charlotte Hogg, Chief Executive Officer of Visa Europe, said: “As a sponsor of the Olympic Movement for almost 40 years and the Paralympic Games since 2002, we know first-hand the impact that the Games can have to boost host-country economies, in line with Visa’s purpose to uplift everyone everywhere. Our latest data shows a significant increase in consumer spending among Visa cardholders during the Opening Ceremony Weekend.
“We’re particularly pleased to see the uptick in spending at French small businesses after we helped 13 million of them digitize over the last 4 years in
“The increased engagement of younger generations, which we see in the travel data, is also an exciting finding and shows the reach and relevance of the Games today and into the future.”
Visa’s responsibility to provide payment systems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games requires a robust and venue-specific plan combined with large-scale operations. Working hand-in-hand with the Organizing Committee for the last three years, Visa has built a custom payment network across
Visa has launched the Visa Go app to connect spectators and tourists with local businesses during the Games. Visitors can download the Visa Go App here: https://go.paris.visa.com/home
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
Disclaimer:
Case studies, statistics, research and recommendations are provided “AS IS” and intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for operational, marketing, legal, technical, tax, financial or other advice. Visa Inc. does not make any warranty or representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the Information within this document, nor assume any liability or responsibility that may result from reliance on such Information. The Information contained herein is not intended as legal advice, and readers are encouraged to seek the advice of a competent legal professional where such advice is required.
Notes to editors:
The figures were analyzed by global network VisaNet and compare the below dates:
- Olympic Ceremony Weekend: Compare the weekends 28/29/30 July 2023 and 26/27/28 July 2024
-
Figures include flights to
Paris between 2024-07-19 and 2024-08-11 (compared to the previous year) and at least 45 days lead time
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240806078699/en/
Jackie Dresch - jdresch@visa.com
Source: Visa Inc.
FAQ
What was the increase in small business sales in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games opening weekend?
Which country's Visa cardholders contributed the largest share of overseas spending during the 2024 Paris Olympics?
What was the percentage increase in contactless payments for international purchases in Paris during the 2024 Olympics?
How much did flight bookings to Paris increase for the 2024 Olympic Games compared to 2023?
