Paris tourism launches Air France stopover program as heat waves curb visitor numbers

Air France and Extime Travel, the tourism operator of the Groupe ADP, have introduced a "Paris Stopover" service. The programme lets international passengers with a layover at Paris‑Charles de Gaulle extend their stay by one to four nights, booking packaged transfers, accommodation and curated experiences through Extime Travel. The launch targets the roughly half of Air France’s CDG arrivals who continue onward, offering a seamless way to explore Paris and its surrounding region.

At the same time, Paris is grappling with a series of heat waves that have dampened tourism activity. After a mild first wave in late June, a second wave in early July saw hotel occupancy fall about 7 % compared with the same period last year. According to the French hotel and restaurant union, 91 % of tourism businesses reported revenue losses, reservation delays and tougher working conditions. Cultural sites such as the Louvre temporarily closed, and festivals were cancelled or restricted. City officials are considering extended opening hours in cooler venues and looking to Athens and Spanish cities for climate‑adaptation models.