India may be a cricket-crazy country but Indians are taking to other sports as well and if it is a sporting extravaganza like the Olympics, they want a piece of live action — at least that is what travel bookings an inquiries for Paris show.
The world’s biggest sporting spectacle kicks off on July 26 in Paris. India has sent 117 athletes to compete in 16 disciplines and they can hope to get some good support when the games begin.
There has been a threefold increase in online searches for Paris, reflecting the rising demand and higher prices in central Paris, said Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip.
"The year is truly set for a French vacation for Indians. With 11.3 million visitors expected in Paris during the Olympics, including 1.5 million international visitors, the trend among Indian travellers planning trips around major sporting events like the Olympics is clear. Roundtrip flight fares to Paris are up by 20–50 percent, indicating that Indian travellers should budget for higher overall costs," he said.
EaseMyTrip witnessed a 4X increase in searches ahead of Olympics.
Paris in high demand
The high travel demand among Indians for Paris Olympics has resulted in French consulates in India ramping up its processing capabilities. Olympic visitors are receiving their visa decisions in under a week on an average, Mohak Nahta, CEO of Atlys, an online visa platform, said.
The platform recorded a 60 percent surge in visa applications for France from India. Paris remains a top destination, with around a 40 percent increase in active travel listings on the platform.
Group travel bookings have seen a rise, with families and friends planning their Olympic trips together. Atlys recorded a 45 percent increase in group visa applications.
"While travellers from Tier 1 cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore dominate the applicant pool, we have also witnessed a notable increase in applications from smaller towns and rural areas," Nahta said, referring to Bengaluru by its earlier name.
Online homestay platform Airbnb registered the highest increase in travellers from India, Mainland China, Hong Kong (SAR) and Japan for the Paris Olympics. India alone witnessed a 30 percent increase in bookings for stays in and around Paris during the games, which end August 11. Asian countries are leading in terms of growth in bookings for stay during the games.
The company also recorded a 40 percent increase in overall active homestay listings in the Paris region, which has boosted the availability for guests.
Travellers from more than 160 countries and regions have already booked their stays during the sporting event on the platform.
As of March 31, nights booked during the dates of the Olympics are over five times (400 percent) higher than they were in the Paris region the same time a year ago, the platform said.
During the duration of the games, a homestay host listed on Airbnb is on average expected to earn $2,170 in the Paris region, having a total economic impact of over $1 billion, an analysis by Airbnb found.
Travelling for sports
Travelling to international destinations to watch their favourite sports and athletes live in action is a growing trend among Indians.
It was seen in the recently concluded 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup, hosted by the United States and the West Indies, which India went on to win.
During the week of June 3, travel bookings from Delhi to New York were 265 percent higher than the same period last year, coinciding with India’s game against Ireland on June 5, Pitti said.
Similarly, the week of June 17 saw a threefold increase in bookings from Mumbai to New York, ahead of India’s games against Afghanistan on June 20 and Bangladesh on June 22.
Bengaluru also saw a spike, with bookings three times higher during the week of June 3 and 1.2 times higher during the June 17 week compared to the previous year.
"India's strong performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the United States and West Indies, had driven a significant increase in travel demand among Indian fans. Key matches in early and mid-June drew major attention, resulting in a notable rise in flight bookings from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore to New York," he said.
Who doesn't love to catch live sports? It is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that more and more Indian travellers are embracing, said Pitti.
Sports tourism in India is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by a rising passion for global sporting events, he said.
“We've seen a notable 70 percent increase in sports tourism-related queries since we sponsored cricket’s Asia Cup in 2022, with Indian travellers eager to attend events like the Olympics and visit iconic venues such as Stade de France and Roland Garros,” he said. The trend highlights how sports tourism is gaining momentum, blending the excitement of live events combined with the exploration of the host countries and local attractions.
Parisian suburbs and other cities hosting Olympic events too are on Indians’ radars. Key Olympic venues like Colombes (field hockey) and Châteauroux (shooting events), along with cities hosting football matches like Saint-Etienne, Lyon, Nantes, Nice, and Bordeaux, are seeing a significant interest.
While Paris remains a top destination, Indian travellers are also venturing beyond traditional tourist spots to explore cities like Saint-Denis and Bordeaux to catch their favourite sports, pointed out Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
"The surge in bookings for Paris reflects an exciting trend among Indian travellers, who are increasingly planning trips around iconic sporting events like the Olympics, showcasing their growing appetite for unique, global experiences," he said.
Event alert: The most definitive startup summit of the year is back! The Moneycontrol Startup Conclave on August 9 in Bengaluru will feature a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and inspiring talks from experts in the fields of policy, artificial intelligence, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. Click here to register.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!