The number of tourists increased to more than 20,000 during the weekends in October
Takenfrom AFP Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower, facing financial difficulties due to the health crisis, recorded its pre-pandemic visitor levels in October and resumed painting work that must be completed for the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Iron Lady, which reopened in July after nine months of closure, experienced "a good month of October" thanks to a "real return of tourism" in the capital, the company that operates it, Sete, told AFP on Thursday.
The introduction of a health passport did not stem this increase. The Eiffel Tower offered antigen tests for visitors without this pass, a measure that will end on Sunday after 14,000 tests have been administered since July.
During the northern summer, more than 13,000 people visited this symbol of Paris every day, compared to an average of 25,000 before the pandemic, which is the target set if the capacity is limited to 50% in elevators.
The number of tourists increased to more than 20,000 during the weekends in October, which is "better than in 2019" for those days, Sete indicated, noting a "return" of citizens from neighboring countries and the United States.
But with 1.5 million visitors expected for 2021, compared to 6.2 million in 2019, this gradual return will not cover "the accumulated losses" from the crisis, according to this source.
This paid-entry monument closed its doors between March and June 2020 and again from October 2020 to July 2021 due to lockdowns. The company anticipates losses of €75 million ($86.6 million) this year.
In 2020, it had a deficit of 52 million euros (60 million dollars). The company, which has a state loan and a recapitalization from the Paris City Hall, is now negotiating with the government, he said.
Suspended since early February due to the presence of traces of lead above the permitted threshold, the ongoing painting project resumed on October 11 with a new protocol, according to Sete.
This twentieth campaign to repaint the icon of the 1889 Universal Exhibition should allow it to regain a golden color, in preparation for the celebration of the Olympic Games in the French capital in 2024.
