Since its establishment in France in 2012, Airbnb has established itself as a central player in tourist accommodation. In the space of a decade, the platform – along with others such as Booking or Abritel – has profoundly reshaped travel practices. The study traces this rapid expansion: from a one-off presence in metropolises, ski resorts and coastal areas in 2013, by 2019 it had spread to almost the entire country, embracing the appeal of major heritage sites, nature parks or coastlines, and experiencing a strong post-Covid acceleration. Festivals, cultural events and sporting events are creating booking peaks, revealing the integration of platforms into the local event economy. The analysis also highlights tensions: the role of second homes, competition or complementarity with the hotel industry, effects on housing, but also the maintenance of local businesses. As for users, one French person in two has already booked via Airbnb; user profiles are younger, more educated, more urban than average, but reflect society as a whole. Stays are short (5 days on average), often for couples or families, and motivated by budgetary considerations. While the platforms offer flexibility and diversity, they do not erase all the inequalities in access to vacations: low-income groups, young women and rural dwellers remain the most excluded.
Full access to the study can be found here :
