City of Light is expecting 15 million visitors (including two million from abroad) this summer for the 33rd Summer Olympics to be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11. However, a range of security risks from commonplace strikes to terrorism threaten the success of the games and travellers’ plans.
“Travellers should expect heightened security measures,” says Nikita Billier, Lead Europe Analyst at Riskline, based in Marseille, France. “There’s a likelihood of evacuations and disruptions due to bomb threats. Travellers should remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to local securities.”
Ongoing political protests and strikes are expected to cause major travel disruptions increasing travel time on trains, ferries and flights. “Traffic jams and peak time transport will be the biggest challenge for France,” says Billier. To cope with the expected crowds, Paris metro subway and train will increase its capacity by 20 per cent.
Read the whole article on page 35 in this issue of Touristica International.
