At an event at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, France recently, the Michelin guide unveiled its first global selection of keys – the equivalent of stars, but for hotels. But hours before, at a separate event at the ornate 18th century Pozzo di Borgo mansion also in Paris, it unveiled something more controversial: An honest look into the ways that it makes money from such reviews, both on the hotel and restaurant sides of its operations.
It was the first time that the French company spoke explicitly about what many have known to be true for years: that government-run tourism boards pay for Michelin guide restaurant reviewers to come to their states and cities.
