VANCOUVER, January 26 /PRNewswire/ — Home For The Games, an Olympic accommodation website with a charitable twist, is providing visitors bound for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver with a more affordable and socially conscious accommodation experience. Through http://www.homeforthegames.com, Olympic Games visitors can stay in the homes of Vancouver citizens in rooms starting at $100 per night, with proceeds going to charities tackling homelessness.
Home For The Games is a unique non-profit web-based system that matches 2010 Winter Games visitors with Metro Vancouver hosts for short-term home stays, with half of the nightly fee directed to charitable organizations – Streetohome Foundation (http://streetohome.org/) and Covenant House Vancouver (http://www.covenanthousebc.org/). Many rooms go for $100 per night for two people.
“We’re working to provide visitors with an affordable, positive and memorable Olympic experience by harnessing the energy of the Olympics to foster friendship, generosity and a cultural exchange while giving back to the community,” said Charles Montgomery, founder of Home For The Games.
Albert ten Napel and his wife are coming from the Netherlands with friends, whose son is competing. He found a fairly-priced two-bedroom flat through Home For The Games for the two couples to stay in for the week.
“We found regular hotels and bed and breakfasts either booked up or the prices were extremely high. Then we found Home For The Games. The prices were good and the philosophy sounded good. It really feels good that we can indirectly support these charities,” said ten Napel.
Andrea Vinet is one of those hosts listed with Home For The Games. She and her husband are renting their guest room to a couple from northern California for four nights. The money she’ll make is secondary; Andrea is looking forward to meeting new people and playing host, recalling fond memories of visitors her mother hosted during the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
“When I heard about Home For The Games and its connection to charity, I was inspired to open my home. I’m excited to meet new people from around the world and share my hospitality and culture. Knowing I’m also helping those less fortunate makes it even more worthwhile,” said Vinet.
Home For The Games launched last August. Vancouver City Council endorsed the project in October by passing a motion of support, which includes promotion on the City’s website.
“The response we’ve received from hosts and visitors has been tremendous, demonstrated by the steadily growing numbers of room listings and bookings are coming from all over the world,” said Tracey Axelsson, project manager. “We’re creating a win-win-win situation for Games visitors, hosts and those less fortunate, and we invite visitors looking for a unique accommodation experience to book a room through Home For The Games.”
To book a room or learn more about Home For The Games, visit http:/www.homeforthegames.com
