Airbnb, has been named the official ‘alternative accommodation’ services supplier for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, following on from the website’s success last year when it hosted more than 100,000 international travellers in Rio for the World Cup.
Airbnb is popular in Brazil, with Rio de Janeiro listed as one of the top destinations in the world for home sharing on Airbnb, exceeded only by Paris, New York and London. Founded six years ago in California, Airbnb is a community marketplace where customers can list or book accommodation around the world online. To date, Airbnb has serviced over 25,000,000 customers in 34,000 cities and 190 countries.
This is the first time the company has signed on as an official partner for the games. According to local sources, Airbnb is poised to welcome guests into around 20,000 listings throughout the city, many of which are in areas close to Olympic venues.
An estimated 380,000 foreign visitors, in addition to Brazilian spectators, are expected to travel to Rio for the Games, which take place between August 5-21 next year. As an official supplier, Airbnb will be included in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games ticketing platform via a specific landing page, where customers will be able to book their listings in the city.
The organising body and Airbnb are working together to offer affordable alternative accommodation for visitors. Airbnb began operations in Brazil in 2012 with 3,500 listings, a figure which has grown to more than 45,000 across the country.
Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Rio 2016 organising committee, said: “Airbnb has proven to be a wonderful choice in allowing us to increase supply. We are aware of Airbnb’s capacity in Rio and understand the impact that partnering with the leader in alternative accommodations will do for visitors coming to experience Rio and the Games.
“With the expectation of hosting people from Brazil and around the world, who are coming to Rio to cheer on the athletes from over 200 National Olympic Committees, we are delighted to embark on this partnership with Airbnb,” he added.
