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Amanda Connolly
ReporterAmanda Connolly is a reporter for The Next Web, currently based in London. Originally from Ireland, Amanda previously worked in press and ed Amanda Connolly is a reporter for The Next Web, currently based in London. Originally from Ireland, Amanda previously worked in press and editorial at the Web Summit. She’s interested in all things tech, with a particular fondness for lifestyle and creative tech and the spaces where these intersect. Twitter
Airbnb has won a contract to provide 20,000 rooms to accommodate athletes and attendees at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The company was chosen over two other accommodation services, Hotel Urbano and Alugue Temporada, which is a significant feat for the Silicon Valley based start-up.
It is unknown how much the contract is worth but it is likely that Airbnb will become a sponsor and partner for the event as well.
There is no history of the public ever being asked for assistance with accommodation during the Games in the past so this is a notable decision. During the 2012 Olympic Games in London, home owners were actually threatened with the possibility of fines for renting out their own homes.
➤ Airbnb wins bid to provide rooms for Rio 2016 Olympics [Reuters]
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