Tourism has made a rebound in Paris as an increasing number of American and European visitors return to the capital following the pandemic.

Paris is the second-most sought-after global destination in 2022, just trailing behind London, according to findings from booking site Trivago. This has led to a rise in hotel occupancy and room rates since the beginning of the year.

During the last week of April, the average hotel price in the French capital was around €173, a 17% rise from the same week in 2019, and a sharp rise from the start of the year, as per tourism research firm MKG Consulting.

Paris is one of the world’s most-visited cities and before the pandemic, tourism-related spending made up 7% of the country’s economy, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

As France eased certain face mask requirements earlier this month, the increase in the number of tourists to Paris is set to accelerate, said Jean-Bernard Falco, founder of hotel and tourism industry group Atop.

“I think we’ll see the best year we’ve ever seen. We’re going to surpass 2019. The future is wonderful.” As it stands, hotel revenue is up 20% and occupancy similar to May 2019 levels at between 80-90%, Falco added.

In addition, France’s largest hotel group, Accor reported ongoing improvement this year in terms of revenue per room in Paris, with a significant rise in April.

“We’re very happy to see Paris become reinvigorated again,” said Maud Bailly, CEO for Southern Europe.

Another surge in visitors is expected this month as Paris hotel searches rose 60% during the first half of May compared to 2019, as per booking platform Kayak.

An increasing number of Europeans are visiting Paris, say Trivago and Accor, whilst more Americans are also returning, making the most of a weaker Euro.