PARIS (Reuters) – Half a million tourists out of the approximately 16 million expected in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games are likely to find accommodation via Airbnb, the co-founder and CEO of the rental platform estimated on Tuesday between individuals, Brian Chesky.
Visiting France at the heart of a European tour which also takes him to Great Britain and Italy, the 42-year-old entrepreneur in sportswear and white sneakers has a series of meetings 10 months before the Summer Games which will make Paris the capital of the world, from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
After the secretary general of the Elysée, Alexis Kohler, he must meet on Wednesday the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castera, and the president of Paris 2024, Tony Estanguet.
“Everyone wants to be sure that there will be enough housing, at affordable prices. Because they know that there are a lot of people who want to come here to Paris, for a unique experience on the scale of a generation,” Brian Chesky told Reuters at the group’s headquarters, whose windows overlook the Paris Opera.
According to an estimate from Ifop, 20% of Ile-de-France residents plan to rent their accommodation during the Olympic period, which will be good for the accommodation platform in other cities such as Marseille called upon to host competitions.
“A lot of people need housing. There aren’t enough hotel rooms here in Paris to accommodate everyone,” explains Brian Chesky. “We estimate that 500,000 people visiting Paris during the Olympics will stay in Airbnb accommodation.”
“IT’S THE NUMBER ONE CITY FOR AIRBNB”
The world’s leading tourist destination, Paris is already the most sought-after city on the platform, of which France constitutes the second largest market after the United States.
“It’s the number one city for Airbnb, the accommodation is beautiful, people dream of Paris,” says Brian Chesky, who comes regularly to the French capital and will be present for the Olympics. “Most people don’t dream of sleeping in a hotel in Paris but rather of living there. They make this dream come true, even if it’s just for a few nights. The community here is incredible, we believe in this market.”
According to the boss of Airbnb, official partner of the Olympic Games, the platform’s safeguards, which verify the identity of registered people and multiply the quality criteria, make it possible to limit the risks of unpleasant surprises for tourists and their hosts.
According to estimates from Deloitte, Ile-de-France guests should earn around 2,000 euros on average during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, or 200 euros per night compared to 134 euros currently.
“If there is enough housing available, prices will remain reasonable,” says Brian Chesky. “There needs to be a balance between supply and demand.”
“As hotel prices rise, I will ensure that Airbnb is more affordable than the hotel for equivalent space during the Games. I think we can do it,” he stressed.
Like many other towns popular with tourists, Paris is seeking to limit seasonal rentals, which has caused friction with the socialist town hall, which has set up a registration system to avoid abuse.
Brian Chesky assures that relations with municipal authorities have improved.
“I want Parisians to know that we want to be good partners,” he assures.
(Report by Elizabeth Pineau, edited by Jean-Stéphane Brosse)
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