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Airbnb signs Rio Olympics deal

Xinhua, March 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Online home rental platform Airbnb has signed a deal to be an official accommodation sponsor of the 2016 Rio Olympics, organizers said on Friday.

The Silicon Valley-based startup will feature in official Olympic marketing campaigns after agreeing to pay an undisclosed fee.

The announcement followed reports Rio's hotel capacity would not be enough to accommodate the 380,000 international tourists expected to visit during the Games.

"With visitors traveling from around the world, Rio residents will get to serve as diplomats for their home country, hosting a global audience with real, authentic Brazilian hospitality," Airbnb's co-founder Joe Gebbia told Rio2016.com.

"Our hosts will ensure visitors have the opportunity to get to know the heart of Rio as well as enjoy the Games."

Rio is the city with the fourth largest number of properties on Airbnb - surpassed only by Paris, New York and London.

Homes listed on the website last year provided accommodation for 100,000 international guests during the FIFA World Cup.

Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman 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." Endi