Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, is currently in Paris, near the Place de la République, finding accommodation through his platform, as he believes his company has a central role to play in hosting the millions of tourists who will flock to the city for the Olympics. The French government has proposed a reduction in the tax advantage for tourist rentals from 71% to 50%, but Chesky argues that renting out apartments provides a supplementary income for many people, such as teachers or healthcare professionals.
Chesky admits that he has never personally met the mayor of Paris, but he believes that the Olympics can serve as an opportunity to establish a good working relationship with the city. He also mentions that France is the second most popular destination for Airbnb users worldwide. Although cities like Paris impose restrictions on Airbnb rentals, Chesky is optimistic about improving relations, citing the example of Berlin where their relationship has improved over the years.
Recently, Airbnb has focused their offerings on room rentals, which Chesky sees as a return to the original concept of Airbnb. He explains that when he first created the platform, it was because he was broke, and renting out a room in a shared home was a more affordable option compared to expensive hotels. Chesky argues that the cost of renting a room through Airbnb, at 70 euros per night, is much lower than a hotel.
As a partner of the Olympics, Airbnb faces a huge challenge of accommodating the three million foreigners visiting France. Chesky predicts that around 500,000 people will use Airbnb to find accommodation in Paris during the Games. However, he acknowledges that prices can sometimes be multiplied by three or four, which he believes is not reasonable. He emphasizes that Airbnb prices should be more affordable than hotel prices.
Chesky reveals that Airbnb is working with the government to ensure that prices remain within a reasonable range and agrees that safeguards are necessary. If other players in the industry are on board, Airbnb is open to implementing appropriate measures.
In terms of concrete actions for the Olympics, Airbnb is already contributing financially and offering accommodation to half a million people. They are also considering offering unique experiences in Paris, similar to the Barbie Dreamhouse experience in Malibu. Furthermore, Airbnb plans to allocate over one million dollars to a fund aimed at providing vacations for disadvantaged French citizens. This fund will be financed through taxes collected by Airbnb on rentals during the Olympics. Chesky expresses his excitement about attending the Games in Paris, as he believes it will be an extraordinary event. He praises the beauty of the city and its innovative approach, with the opening ceremony taking place along the Seine instead of in a stadium.
