[alistairSH]

I feel like someone first decides on a destination and then decides on where to stay.

That's true for me. I do use Airbnb, as I like to cook my own meals when traveling (dietary restrictions), but Airbnb availability has never been a major determinant of where I go. Recent trips have been 60-70% Airbnb, usually mixed within a vacation.

For Paris, I'd be fine either way. We used a hotel in London and Rome. Airbnb in Florence and Reykjavik.

Edit - both Florence and Reykjavik were apartments that very well could have been residential. Heart of downtown and all that. Neither were cheap, both were on par with mid-range hotels. Portree, Scotland was another home that likely was removed from long-term rental (or owner occupied) market.

Other Airbnb stays included St Micheals (MD, USA) in a historic home. Mt Rogers wilderness (VA, USA) in a purpose built tiny cabin. And outside Stornoway, Scotland in a crofter's cottage, where the owner lived in a new build home on the same site (and the rental was the original cottage). I don't feel like any of these would impact the local long-term rental market, but could be wrong.