LeBonCoin to Offer Free Listings and Announces Accompanying Marketing Campaign

When companies compete, the consumer wins. 

LeBonCoin has announced that it will be waiving fees for its French hoteliers and the launch of an accompanying TV and digital communication campaign.

LeBonCoin recently required vacation booking site LocaSun and hotel reservation comparison site, Pilgo—the ladder of which facilitates LeBonCoin’s bookings and vacation products.

Antoine Jouteau, the group’s CEO, said in a statement:

“The shortfall for the tourism sector in France is already estimated at 40 billion euros. Giving up our commission on hotel bookings that pass through our platform is a committed and responsible act to support the industry.”

LeBonCoin reports that 28 million users pass through the site a month. The newly added ‘Holiday’ category facilitates 220,000 vacation rental listings, which include private rentals, professional advertisements, and 4,500 hotels. 

The length of this fee-less listing campaign has not yet been determined.

The vacation rental sector was hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Airbnb and other listing sites have had to change business models, lay off staff in droves, and offer their services for free or discounted prices just to make ends meet. While other property portals begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the travel industry is still sitting back, waiting for its turn to return to normal.