Airbnb hits wall with Great Wall of China sleepover contest

Home rental giant Airbnb has scrapped a contest for travellers to spend a night in an ancient watch tower on the Great Wall of China, following its failure to get the green light from the Chinese authorities for the project.

Beijing Yanqing Cultural Commission, which is responsible for the popular Badaling section of the wall, said that it did not support the project as it “is not in line with the Great Wall’s heritage conservation values”, reported the South China Morning Post.

Airbnb said in a statement: “We have made the decision to not move forward with this event and instead we are working on a range of other experiences and initiatives that showcase China as a destination and highlight how people-to-people travel can drive human connections.”

Airbnb has apologised to those who had already entered the contest launched last week.

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