The French capital has closed the doors of its last remaining physical tourist information office, as the city makes a move to focus on digital information and advice giving
Paris has closed its last remaining bricks-and-mortar tourist office in favor of promoting tourism and giving local advice on TikTok and Instagram.
Last week, the City of Love shut the doors on its only remaining physical tourist office near the Eiffel Tower on Quai Jacques-Chirac. From now on tourists are encouraged to get inspiration from social media platforms instead.
The decision has drawn criticism as many see the move as prioritising digital tourism over face-to-face advice in a way which may particularly impact older visitors. Corinne Menegaux, the tourist office’s general director, defended the decision — citing declining foot traffic and emerging tourism trends, according to The Telegraph.
“Visitor behaviour has changed, particularly in favour of digital technology,” Ms Menegaux told Le Parisien, a French newspaper.
“Tourists, especially the younger generations, want information immediately, now, wherever they are … The single-point model is no longer the most effective.”
Now, tourists will need to head to Instagram or TikTok for advice and information about things to see, do and eat in the French capital. Over recent years the Tourist Office has experienced a significant reduction in funding, leading to budget cuts. In addition, last year, the tourist office saw 150,000 visitors pass through its doors, compared to 574,000 in 2015.
Stéphane Villain, president of the National Federation of Institutional Tourism Organisations, said to Le Monde newspaper: “The human element is central to travel. Digital technology is no substitute for meeting someone who can advise you, reassure you and answer your questions.”
Members of the travel industry have also pointed out that the digitally focussed strategy, will exclude the elderly and those who lack access to digital technology. The city is planning to implement a digital concierge service by phone and email, and a WhatsApp instant messaging service for personalised advice. There will also be around 30 staff across newspaper kiosks, who will be trained as tourist ambassadors.
“Our approach does not aim to eliminate physical reception but to reorganise it,” Ms Menegaux commented.
A 20 per cent rise in international visitors is expected this month, compared to January 2024. Through this year, Paris is also expected to reap the benefits of the city’s international exposure during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
There was also a 29 percent spike in air travel arrivals between December 20, 2024, and January 5, 2025, and a 34 percent increase in long stays of between six and eight days compared to the same period last year, indicating that tourism is on the rise in the city.
The Paris Tourism Board Instagram account, under the handle @parisjetaime, has more than 685,000 followers and on TikTok, an account by the same name, has 20,000 followers. Whilst the French capital is one of the most-visited cities in the world, welcoming around 37 million tourists every year, other cities are also following suit, such as New York and London — whereby they are replacing fixed offices with more flexible information points.