Colmar, already winner of the same ranking last year, again won the title of the most welcoming city in France in 2018. The ranking carried out by the American rental platform Airbnb, is mainly based on the ratings left by travelers to their hosts at the end of their stays. Airbnb rentals in Alsace are therefore popular, good news for vacation rental owners: this spotlight on their city will undoubtedly bring them more bookings over the coming months or even years.
For Airbnb, Aslace is popular with travelers
Clearly, tourism in Alsace has experienced great development in recent years. After the coronation of Kayserberg as "Favorite village of the French" in 2017, it is Colmar's turn to be named "the most welcoming municipality in France" for the second year in a row. Titles awarded in particular by subscribers to the seasonal accommodation rental platform, Airbnb, who have rated each trip made in these cities.
Obviously, this ranking excludes the 10 largest cities in France as well as all the cities which recorded less than 6 visitors through the American platform.
A turnover of 8,7 million euros in 2017
Colmar is only the third largest city in Alsace. However, this year, it overtakes Nîmes and Arles on the podium. According to Emmanuel Fromm, responsible for promotion and communication at the Tourist Office, this title is well deserved and proves the “good capacity for welcoming Colmar residents”. It is also an important lever in the whole tourist sector of the city.
In 2017, the city of Colmar registered 700 rentable accommodation on Airbnb, generating 95 overnight stays for an estimated turnover of 000 million euros.
Colmar Christmas market
Many foreign tourists prefer a stay in the capital of Alsace wines, particularly in December, because of the Christmas market which is the busiest time of the year. Besides its “little Venice” which appeals to lovers so much, this annual event also attracts three times more tourists than the other months.
All these events which animate the city of Colmar are sources of development of seasonal rentals.
A flagship tourist destination
For the city of Colmar alone, the number of overnight stays in Airbnb has increased by 38% in one year, with 50% more accommodation for rent on the site. And even if the ranking criteria produced by the rental platform are neither based on scientific codes nor representative of tourists in France, they clearly demonstrate that Alsace remains a leading destination for tourism.
France's Top 5 for Airbnb
The 5 most welcoming cities in France according to Airbnb are:
- Colmar
- Nîmes
- Arles
- Chamonix
- Annecy
