Airbnb Partners with the IOC to Bring Sustainable Travel to the Olympics

Airbnb has announced a nine-year partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to support the Olympic and Paralympic games and to promote sustainable travel for their global events. As part of this partnership, Airbnb will be working to create a new standard for hosting in order to provide better travel and accommodation options for visitors to host cities that are economically empowering, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable. The partnership will carry on for five events up until the 2028 Olympic Games taking place in Los Angeles. 

Along with supporting the Olympic Games, Airbnb will also be working to develop new opportunities for athletes around the world to develop their own Airbnb Experiences that promote physical activity and Olympic values. These Olympian Experiences will be launched in 2020 and will provide athletes the chance to develop a direct revenue stream and become Airbnb Experience hosts. Airbnb will also be supporting the Refugee Olympic Team and create programs with the IOC to establish programs to provide long-term support for refugees around the world.

Accessible Accommodation at the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Part of this partnership with the International Olympic Committee is to help deliver a higher standard of accommodation that is accessible to everyone throughout the Olympic Games and events. Airbnb will be working closely with the IOC and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to increase accommodation that supports accessibility for people with disabilities or other accessibility needs. 

“Our Olympic partnership will ensure that the Games are the most inclusive, accessible, and sustainable yet, and leave a lasting positive legacy for athletes and host communities.”

Joe Gebbia, Airbnb Co-founder

Airbnb and the Olympic Games Committee will also be working to provide accommodation options for athletes competing in the Olympic and Paralympic games. The IOC will make at least $28 million USD worth of Airbnb accommodation available to athletes for competition and training related travel throughout the course of the partnership.

Keycafe to Provide Self Check-in Services for Airbnb Hosts and Guests

Along with Airbnb, Keycafe will be working to deliver seamless property access management for Airbnb hosts and guests during these events. With smart key lockbox locations available 24/7 in locations throughout Tokyo, Airbnb hosts will be able to automate guest check-in for both athletes and tourists alike during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Japan requires Airbnb hosts to collect and retain all traveler ID, and Keycafe’s photo ID verification simplifies this process, allowing hosts to remain compliant without causing any undue stress on guest communications. Digital copies of passports are automatically collected prior to arrival and guest identities are verified prior to access so Airbnb hosts can focus on what matters most: providing a seamless journey to the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo for their guests.