Home exchange

Home exchange, also known as house swapping, is a type of hospitality service in which two parties agree to offer each other homestays (lodging in each other's homes) for a set period of time. Since no monetary exchange takes place, it is a form of barter, collaborative consumption, and sharing. Home exchange can cover any type of dwelling including apartments, houses, holiday cottages, boats, or recreational vehicles. It can include an exchange of the entire home or just a room. The length of the swap can vary from a weekend to a year or more. The swap can be simultaneous or non simultaneous.

Like all homestays, home exchanges offer several advantages over hotel lodging, including the opportunities to save money and experience everyday life in another country.

Organized home exchange originated in 1953 with the creation of Intervac International by a group of European teachers with plenty of vacation time looking for economic means to travel internationally. That same year, teacher David Ostroff created a home exchange network called "Vacation Exchange Club" (now HomeLink) in New York City.

Originally, home exchange networks printed a yearly catalog of homes and charged members a yearly fee.

In the 1990s, the proliferation of the internet greatly increased the accessibility of home exchange, providing users with easier communication, information, and a much larger pool of homes from which to choose.

Ed Kushins started what is now HomeExchange.com after a 1992 home exchange experience in Washington D.C. In 1995, he moved the business online.

In 1999, home exchange was estimated to be growing at 15-20% per year. In 2010, home exchange networks were continuing to experience rapid growth.

Summer is traditionally the peak season for house swapping, as families travel during summer vacations.

Participants tend to be educated and well-traveled. Participants tend to be active, conscientious and culturally curious travelers. Home exchanges are also popular with teachers during school holidays, particularly during the summer. Home exchanges are also used by seniors, who have more time to travel.

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Wikipedia