Airbnb Takes Gold with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Providing the Official Alternative Accommodations Service

Airbnb, the world’s leading community-driven hospitality company, today announced it has signed an

agreement to be the official alternative accommodation services supplier for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The announcement was made this morning during a press conference hosted by Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games President Carlos Arthur Nuzman and Airbnb Co-founder & Chief Product Officer Joe Gebbia, held inside the Rio 2016 headquarters. This is the first time the company has signed on as an official partner for the world's biggest sporting spectacle.

Rio has become one of the top destinations in the world for home sharing on Airbnb, exceeded only by Paris, New York and London. With an estimated 380,000* foreign spectators, in addition to Brazilians, expected to travel to Rio for the Games, which will take place from August 5 – 21, 2016, Airbnb is poised to help welcome guests into around 20,000 affordable listings available throughout the city, many of which are in neighborhoods close to Olympic venues.

"We are extremely proud to be partnering with the Rio 2016 Olympic Committee to officially bring home sharing to the Games," said Joe Gebbia. "With visitors traveling from around the world, Rio residents get to serve as diplomats to their home country, hosting a global audience with real, authentic Brazilian hospitality. Together with Rio 2016, our hosts will ensure visitors have the opportunity to get to know the heart of Rio as well as enjoy the spectacle of the Olympic Games."

This new official partnership is an example of how Airbnb is able to help in cities where adding capacity will help boost tourism, while putting the spotlight on the city’s best asset, its people. The hosting community in Rio is no stranger to large events. The World Cup last year was a huge success, with more than 100,000 international guests hosted on Airbnb.

As an official supplier in Brazil, 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 Rio. Rio 2016 and Airbnb are working together to offer affordable alternative accommodations for all visitors that are coming to the Games. In addition there will be exclusive activities and experiences reserved for the Airbnb community.

"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," said Rio 2016 Organizing Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

"We are thrilled to be participating in the first South American Games that celebrates sportsmanship and brings people together from all over the world," said Christian Gessner, Country Manager for Brazil. "Cariocas are great hosts by nature and are ready to show the world once again the true meaning of Brazilian hospitality. We will work closely together with our Airbnb host community in Rio to ensure everyone feels right at home, while maximizing the trust Rio 2016 has put in us."

Airbnb, which began its operations in Brazil in 2012 with 3,500 listings, has seen significant growth over the last few years and now offers more than 45,000 listings in the entire country.

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