How Will Indians Watch the Olympics? On TV? No. In France? Yes!

The Olympics are always a global spectacle, with the entire world glued to their TVs to see who won and who lost. However, this time around, Indians do not just want to enjoy the games via a screen; they want to see them live in person. As a result of this enthusiasm, France has seen a 60% surge in its visa applications from India.

Indians Fly to Watch the Olympics Live

Atlys, an online visa application platform, has revealed that it has seen a massive increase in visa applications from India for France in recent months. The highest number of applicants is said to be from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. However, surprisingly, many applicants are also from smaller towns and rural areas. The increase in applicants is seen even after Schengen countries threw up their hands, claiming there were no slots for visa interviews, and the fee for a Schengen visa was increased by 12% in June 2024.

To deal with such an increase, the French government has revealed that they have streamlined their progress, and Olympic fans will hear the final verdict on their Schengen visa within one week of applying.

With the Olympics happening in Paris, the capital has seen at least a 40% increase in its tourism sector, much of which is due to Indians travelling to the city. With sports tourism on the rise, the figures do not seem surprising. However, it is a refreshing change to see Indians being an active part of a global phenomenon like the Olympics.

The airline sector, too, is being affected by the Paris Olympics. On one hand, Star Alliance has teamed up with Lufthansa to provide various flight options to the Paris Olympics. On the other, Air France, the national carrier of France, is preparing itself for a blow of €180 million as some tourists plan to avoid Paris due to the upcoming Olympics.

Speaking of the data, Mohak Nanta, founder & CEO, Atlys said, “Interestingly, while Paris remains a top destination, these travellers are also venturing beyond traditional tourist spots to explore cities like Lyon, Saint-Denis, and Bordeaux to catch their favourite sports. We’re thrilled to make it easy for travellers to get their visa on time for the 2024 Olympics and summer travel experiences.”

If you, too, are travelling to Paris for the Olympics, here is our guide to things you just cannot miss.