Airbnb has 45,000 for Paris New Year

DESPITE last month’s terror attacks, Paris is still one of the most popular sites on Airbnb to spend New Year – with the internet booking site saying it has 45,000 booked. making it the most popular destination in Europe.

The capital is one of the leaders worldwide as Airbnb says it has taken one million bookings for New Year’s Eve.

Although revellers will not be able to enjoy the massive fireworks display and celebrations that had been planned for the Champs-Elysées – they have been vastly reduced because of the ongoing state of emergency – there are still plenty of other attractions in the capital.

Airbnb said that the one million bookings worldwide is almost double the number that it registered last year, when it had 550,000 staying in its properties.

Other areas of France are also proving very popular with Morbihan, Le Touquet and the area of Carcassone and Perpignan being much in demand.

In 2010 Airbnb had just 2,000 guests booking New Year stays at its properties but this year it has guests staying in 150 countries – and 90 people staying on private islands.

New York is the most popular destination with 47,000 guests, while London has drawn 35,000. Other favourites include Tokyo, Barcelona, Sydney and Miami.

Airbnb head of hospitality Chip Conley told travel website Travelmole: "It's encouraging to see Paris up there after what happened a month ago. It's good to see Paris rebounding."

Paris is host to the largest Airbnb community in the world, with 60,000 listings (it had just 4,000 in 2012).

Enjoying Hogmanay in Edinburgh has been rated the cheapest way to spend New Year’s Eve in a survey by Travelex, which said the Scottish capital offered the best value for money night out – costing just £126 for a meal-for-one, champagne, club entry and a beer.

Sydney came second in the value list at £149 with Amsterdam and Paris third and fourth at £165 and £201. Dubai was most expensive at £375 while London was £288.