Toulouse: around twenty short-term rental companies set up an association
A group of about twenty people who make the short-term location in the Pink City has just created the association of hosts of Toulouse metropolis to become full partners of tourism and the local economy. Interview with the president of the association, Myriam Mazet.
When was the association of Hôtes de Toulouse Métropole created and what is its goal?
It is very recent, we filed the statutes in July, and following, it appeared in the Official Journal. Its primary goal is to unite the hosts around a common and stable entity. Until then, they had no legal or formal existence, except through a Facebook or WhatsApp group. Having an association reassures guests.
Among these hosts, do we mostly find people who rent their accommodation through Airbnb?
As soon as we talk about short-term rentals, we inevitably come across the image of Airbnb even if people are doing short-term rentals without necessarily going through this platform. Airbnb is reductive in relation to our activities. Our desire is to have a neutral structure, without necessarily a label, in order to largely represent the guests who rent a room at home, or a second home or even concierge services.
But do all the members of your association offer an Airbnb course?
Yes. It is true that we remain dependent on this platform which increases the visibility of our ads.
Who can join your association?
Any natural or legal person, from the moment they rent all or part of their home, their second home or manage short-term sites. The annual cost is between 15 and 20 €. It is also necessary that their activity is declared, up to date with respect to local regulations, does not harm the neighborhood and that the rental is decent. The host must make himself available to his travelers and highlight the players in the local economy in order to promote reasoned, sustainable and high-quality tourism.
Many members of this association have known each other for a long time …
Yes. Basically, we are a small collective of around twenty people who have been doing short-term rentals for more than 8 years. Therefore, we share common interests and concerns. We also see the regulations and the importance of short-term rentals in tourism, which we increasingly see as partners. The people who do short-term rentals needed to have a referent entity, to be recognized as full-fledged players at the level of local authorities. It is also a way of influencing decisions, especially when we see the amount of the tourist tax reversed at Toulouse Métropole.
In Toulouse and the Metropolis, how many accommodations are available for short-term rental?
In 2021, we had 7,000 furnished tourist accommodation spread over all the municipalities of Toulouse metropolis. In Toulouse intramural, on the account 3,413 active ads. The covid has affected the number of furnished apartments as many people have preferred to opt for long-term rentals. By short stay, we mean 3-4 days on site, knowing that it is not necessary to exceed 120 days of rental when it comes to his main residence.
Today, ultimately with covid, have tourists returned?
We see tourists returning at the same time as we see low cost flights reappear on the airport board. We must not forget that they are the ones who bring us more and more foreign tourists. We also see appearing events such as the lantern festival in Blagnac which will bring us a lot of people.
Are you going to work with the Toulouse Métropole attractiveness agency?
On would like. It is our desire to be hoisted up alongside the hoteliers.
The hoteliers are rightly denouncing the competition you make them …
I think there is room for everyone. In Toulouse the number of furnished apartments is not prominent compared to Paris or Bordeaux. Travelers should have a choice.
Do you have a site associated with your association where we can see the rentals?
No. For the moment, we do not want to have a commercial showcase of our homes.