The Paris Olympics have proven to be a significant win for sponsors, providing the anticipated branding boost that many had hoped for, especially after the pandemic-hit Tokyo Games. “Tokyo left much to be desired in terms of engagement and support,” noted Dave Stephenson, Chief Business Officer at Airbnb.
By the time the closing ceremony rolls around on Sunday night, projections suggest that around 11.3 million people will have visited Paris, including 1.5 million international tourists, according to the city’s tourism board. This surge in visitors contrasts sharply with the pandemic-affected Tokyo Games, where engagement was considerably lower.
Television and streaming viewership for the Paris Games has also soared, surpassing the numbers seen during Tokyo. Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery, which hold US and Europe-wide TV rights respectively, report significant increases in audience figures.
For Airbnb, the Paris Olympics have become its largest hosting event ever. With approximately 430,000 guests having stayed in the Paris area during the Games—surpassing all expectations—CEO Brian Chesky describes the outcome as “better than we ever imagined.”
