Home stay

Homestay is a popular form of hospitality and lodging whereby visitors stay in a house or apartment of a local of the city to which they are traveling. The length of stay can vary from one night to even a year and can be for free, in exchange for monetary compensation, in exchange for a stay at the guest's property either simultaneously or at another time, or in exchange for help on the host's property. Longer term homestays are popular with students that are participating in study abroad programs. Homestays are examples of collaborative consumption and sharing. In cases where money is not exchanged in return for accommodation, they are examples of a barter economy or gift economy.

Students that are studying abroad and wish to participate in a homestay typically arrange them via their school. Travelers that wish to participate in a home stay typically arrange them via a hospitality service. The terms of the homestay are generally worked out in advance and will include items such as the type of accommodation, length of stay, chores required to be performed (e.g., cleaning, laundering, help on a farm), curfews, use of utilities and internet, television or telephone, and rules related to smoking, drinking, and drugs.

For the hosts, the homestay provides cultural exchange opportunities, or in cases where compensation is provided, hosts may receive monetary compensation and/or help on their property.

Home stays can provide several opportunities to home stay guests:

Home stays may have disadvantages over hotel/hostel accommodation:

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