Fresh face

The constant allure of Paris never fails. Its changing face brings back visitors again and again and it’s a magnet for business tourism. But, far from complacent, it’s been stepping up its B2B marketing focus in recent years, including the rebranding of the convention bureau as Paris je t’aime. The aim is to enhance the city’s appeal and re-energise sectors of excellence such as innovation, design/fashion, science, culture, gastronomy and sport.

Corinne Menegaux, Paris je t’aime managing director, attributes its success to its reputation, excellent infrastructure - 15 congress centres and thousands of venues - hotel capacity, transportation network and flow of new offers and experiences. “For these reasons, an event gets on average 20 per cent more participation when held in Paris,” she says.

Business tourism represents 50 per cent of the Paris tourism economy. In 2019, the sector accounted for 15.6 million people, 31 per cent of all tourists and 15 billion euros of economic benefits. Last year, 379 tradeshows and 715 congresses brought nearly 7.5 million visitors worth 5.1 billion euros.

Winning this year’s Olympics and Paralympics sparked the latest transformation and Menegaux is excited about their impact and legacy. “Legacy was a prerequisite of the Paris candidacy and visitors and locals alike will enjoy a greener city with improved infrastructures and better hospitality.”

Paris je t’aime has introduced the 2024 Hospitality Manifesto among its efforts to promote responsible tourism and sustainable events and all 1,500 members have signed up, committed to the city’s ecological transition.

The Olympics may make headlines this summer but other events are still important. “The entire value chain of the business tourism industry is mobilised to host conferences and trade fairs from June to September as part of the Hospitality Manifesto,” says Menegaux. “We have also created the bienVenue2024 platform to connect prestigious venues with event professionals during the Games time, including new venues opening for the first time. Olympic ‘tourists’ are not using the entire hotel stock - Paris has over 123,000 rooms offering a wide range of accommodation.”

After the Games, the Athletes Village, Adidas Arena La Chapelle and the Aquatic Centre in Saint Denis will be available for events. Swimming in the Seine will be possible from next year, new Metro lines are coming soon and lesser known districts are being developed for their lifestyle offerings, be they food, cultural centres, street art, new hotels, bars and clubs.

Viparis operates 12 major event venues in the Paris region. An official supporter of the Olympics and Paralympics, it’s offering the benefit of years of experience in staging international events in four venues - the Palais des Congrès de Paris as the main media centre, Paris-Le Bouget the broadcast centre and both Paris Nord Villepinte and Paris Expo Porte de Versailles hosting sports events.

Next year Paris Expo Porte de Versailles celebrates its 100th anniversary. It’s been building up to the occasion since launching a 10-year project to transform the site into a complex that is both a business and leisure hub and model of sustainable development. The result is stunning new concepts and architecture.

It began with the reconstruction of Pavilion 7 to create the spectacular new 72,000 sqm Paris Convention Centre, with exhibition and meeting space on four levels and a rooftop garden.
Pavilion 6 has been rebuilt and now comprises 5,400 sqm of exhibition space, La Serre indoor and outdoor event space, Le Perchoir rooftop bar and restaurant and a high-tech vegetable garden offering visitors activities structured around sustainable food production.

Pavilions 1 and 4 have had bold new features added and new hotels include Mama Shelter Paris West, a 245-room Novotel and the capital’s first Eklo lifestyle hotel.
Another Paris monument, the Grand Palais, was built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900. Closed for restoration for the past three years, it will welcome some Olympic and Paralympic events under its magnificent glass roof before reopening fully next spring. The historic museum and exhibition complex is available for private events.