Airbnb France's Clément Eulry Defends Against New Rental Regulations

Clément Eulry, the general director of Airbnb France, is vocal in defending the company's operational model amid escalating regulatory pressures aimed at short-term rentals. As cities like Bordeaux impose stricter limits, including a cap on rental days for primary residences, Eulry challenges the narrative that these measures will effectively alleviate the housing crisis.

In a recent statement, he asserted that 91% of Airbnb listings in Bordeaux are classified as occasional rentals, suggesting that they have little to no significant impact on the local housing market. With 60% of Airbnb hosts relying on this supplementary income, averaging €3,700 a year, the proposed restrictions could further diminish their financial situation while failing to address the true underlying causes of the housing crisis, such as vacant properties and insufficient new construction.

Eulry highlights that despite the implementation of these regulations since 2018, Bordeaux has experienced a sharp rise in property prices—up 36%—and rents increasing by 16%, countering the expectations that limiting rentals would create more affordable housing. He criticized the focus of policymakers, which, according to him, skirts fundamental issues in favor of regulatory gimmicks.

Furthermore, addressing concerns about competition from the hotel sector, Eulry clarified that Airbnb and traditional hotels cater to different market segments and should be viewed as supplementary, rather than adversarial. In an effort to enhance its service offerings, Airbnb is also developing a 'super app' intended to allow users to book experiences and services alongside their accommodation travels, underscoring its commitment to evolve and adapt within the hospitality landscape.