Tourist minister says France will increase hotel checks before Olympics

France will not cap hotel prices during the Olympics this summer but instead ramp up checks to make sure visitors "get their money's worth", the French tourist minister said on Wednesday.

The Olympic Rings at the Hotel De Ville in Paris. AFP - BEHROUZ MEHRI

Some 15 million visitors are expected for the Paris Olympics in July and August, and the Paralympics in August and early September.

Hotels have marked up their prices for rooms during the Olympic Games from 26 July to 11 August.

The minister responsible for tourism, Olivia Grégoire, told Sud Radio the government would in no way seek to limit these rates.

"There was never any price cap during the Olympics or Paralympics in London, Rio or even Beijing," she said.

Instead 900 inspectors, around a third of those working for the government's anti-fraud agency, will be tasked with "checking prices, sanitary conditions and the smooth running of the Olympic Games", she said.

.@oliviagregoire "Inflation alimentaire : les négociations commerciales sont en cours. Nous ne sommes pas à l’abri de bonnes surprises" pic.twitter.com/6i2ns5Gh5b

— Sud Radio (@SudRadio) December 6, 2023

1,600 hotels checked in Paris

"All 1,600 Parisian hotels will be checked between now and the Games," she said, adding 600 had already been reviewed.

Nationwide, 10,000 hotels and restaurants would be inspected in time for the Olympics.

"I urge everyone - hotels and restaurants - to be responsible... It's essential that French and international tourists get their money's worth," she said.

"If not, they (hotels and restaurants) could be gravely sanctioned."

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(with AFP)