Airbnb announced on Thursday an association with the Tour of France until 2027 to develop its rental activity in French rural areas, after the successful experience of the Paris Olympic Games. The group provides a deceleration in demand in the US market, the world leading market, due to the negative impact of Donald Trump’s commercial policy on consumer’s morals. The second market, France, where local residents represent approximately 70% of the reserves, know a “very healthy” growth, perhaps even faster than that of the United States, said co -founder and general director of Airbnb, Brian Chesky.
As part of the contract with the Tour of France, Airbnb will promote rental along the 3,300 kilometers of the route, as well as the related experiences, such as walks with old cyclists, as part of a new global strategy aimed at expanding its offer.
The choice of this association follows the 700,000 reservations registered by the platform during the four weeks of the Olympic Games in 2024, an evaluation that exceeded all expectations. The group maintained the approximately 120,000 ads identified last year in the French capital, but claims to be able to do better in the least populated areas of the country, especially apart from many stages of the Tour de France.
Restriction attempts Airbnb’s offer in certain areas
This initiative occurs while certain cities, such as Biarritz in southwest France, restrict real estate ads in response to the outbreak of real estate prices. “When Airbnb is subject to restrictions on a region, it has an impact on the activity. Obviously, growth slows down. And then, the other consequence … is that prices generally increase, because many people try to remain in the few accommodations or hotels available,” said Brian Chesky.
In Spain, Airbnb appealed a government decision to withdraw more than 65,000 holiday rentals that would have broken regulations, in a context of housing crisis. Airbnb said he believed that the Spanish Executive did not have the power to govern in short -term rentals.
Other next associations for luxury experiences
Other associations with brands could follow the agreement concluded with the Tour de France, especially in the field of luxury experiences, said Brian Chesky.
At the moment, the company continues to develop its new services and receive “thousands and thousands” of applications per week of people who want to sell a service on the platform. Brian Chesky, who recruited a chef for his Airbnb in Paris, is one of the people who prove this new offer, but considers that he will take time to develop it.
Source: BFM TV
