Paris’ Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous and most visited monuments, has hiked ticket prices by 20 percent.
As of 17th June 2024, adults must pay over €35 to access the top of the iconic structure, a 20% rise from the previous fare of €29.10.
The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the public company operating the landmark, aims to use the additional revenue to rebalance its finances, which were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic-induced closures led to a drastic drop in revenue, from €99 million in 2019 to just €25 million in 2020, resulting in a cumulative shortfall of €113 million from 2020 to 2022.
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In addition to pandemic losses, the Eiffel Tower’s maintenance costs have surged, with expenses exceeding €130 million. Delays in essential maintenance, including the 20th repainting operation originally scheduled to begin in 2020, have further inflated costs. This repainting, crucial for preserving the metal structure, has been delayed due to the discovery of lead in previous paint layers, necessitating large-scale stripping before the new paint could be applied. The project, aimed to be completed in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics, is now four years behind schedule.
Moreover, the licence fee that SETE pays to the city of Paris for operating the Eiffel Tower has significantly increased, rising from €8 million in 2021 to a projected €50 million by 2025. The rise in visitor fee, along with an additional €156 million investment in maintenance, aim to restore financial stability by 2025 and complete the repainting project.
In 2023, the Eiffel Tower welcomed 6.3 million visitors, the highest number since 2015.
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