Hospitality service

The concept of hospitality exchange, also known as "accommodation sharing", "hospitality services" (short "hospex"), and "home stay networks", "home hospitality" ("hoho"), refers to centrally organized social networks of travelers, who offer or seek accommodation in a home either with or without monetary exchange. These services generally connect users via the internet.

In 1949, Bob Luitweiler founded the first hospitality service called Servas Open Doors as a cross-national, nonprofit, volunteer-run organization advocating interracial and international peace.

In 1965, John Wilcock set up the Traveler's Directory as a listing of his friends willing to host each other when traveling. In 1988, Joy Lily rescued the organization from imminent shutdown, forming Hospitality Exchange.

In 1966, a hospitality service for Esperanto speakers called Programo Pasporto was created. This became Pasporta Servo in 1974.

In 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced the formation of Friendship Force International, which has chapters in 57 countries today.

In 2000, Veit Kuhne founded Hospitality Club, the first such Internet-based hospitality service.

In 2004, Casey Fenton started CouchSurfing, which is now the largest hospitality exchange organization.

In 2008, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia founded Airbnb after a popular conference made it hard to find accommodation. Hosts receive monetary compensation from guests, paid in advance.

In 2013, Mandy Rowe founded Broads Abroad Travel Network, which is the only online hospitality exchange network exclusively for women.

In Scouting, home hospitality ("hoho") refers to Scouts living for a few days with a host family to experience everyday life in that community. This often takes place before or after a jamboree and is usually organized by the organization running the jamboree.

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