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Oliver Winter
CEO, a&o Hostels
Winter intended to begin his career in teaching, but while on a study break traveling the world in the mid-1990s, he was inspired to come up with a new hostel concept. Oliver wanted to give people, especially students or young people, the opportunity to stay in professionally managed, affordable and centrally located accommodation. After several initial attempts at getting the company off the ground, Winter was approached by his experienced, entrepreneurial landlord, who deemed the idea a ‘winning’ concept. The two of them collaborated, and together in 2000 they opened their first a&o hostel, a 164-room property in Berlin. Since launching the brand, Winter has successfully expanded the company having been responsible for its strategic growth.
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