Paris (AFP)
Tony Estanguet, president of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (CoJo) Paris-2024, said Monday "to rely on the incredible hotel infrastructure of the capital", wanting to reassure the sector after the arrival of Airbnb as one of main sponsors of the Olympics until 2028.
"The partnership with Airbnb is a global IOC (International Olympic Committee, Editor's Note) choice and covers several editions of the Olympic and Paralympic Games over many years, and we have made the choice since the candidacy, to rely on the incredible hotel infrastructure of the capital, "Tony Estanguet said.
The agreement between the IOC and Airbnb, giant of the rental of private homes, will cover a total of five editions of the Olympics namely Tokyo in 2020, Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028 for the summer, and Beijing in 2022 and Milan-Cortina in 2026 for the winter, said the IOC.
"Agreements have been signed in sufficient numbers to cover our needs in 2024 with these hospitality / catering companies recognized for their know-how and their French way of life", continued the boss of the CoJo, stating that " 618 hotels are part of the inventory "to welcome sportsmen and spectators.
For Tony Estanguet, "the announcement of the IOC does not in any way jeopardize this approach, which we pursue" and does not prevent Paris-2024 to "consider national partnerships with companies in the accommodation sector.
Popular with millions of tourists for its prices deemed attractive, Airbnb has attracted the wrath of many hotel professionals who accuse it of reducing their market share and claim to the authorities a better control of the activities of the American company.
© 2019 AFP