Latest News
HomeRegional NewsEuropeUniversity of Bergamo study finds over 75% of home exchangers agree 'Most people trustworthy'
Study

University of Bergamo study finds over 75% of home exchangers agree 'Most people trustworthy'

While a savvy breed of traveller (with 62% stating a high level of education), home exchangers also represent a wide cross-section of the travelling public. For example, the typical home exchange participant travels as a family (49% of them with children) and comes from across five continents, with the USA, France, Spain, Canada and Italy being the top five countries of residency.

“My House is Yours” is the first in-depth study of the travellers behind the growing trend in home exchange, surveying HomeExchange.com’s 46,000 members worldwide. For the first time, a detailed profile is available of the expanding demographic of home exchange travellers. The survey finds that the industry itself is making a deep impact on society. According to the researchers, “people are turning more and more to models of consumption that emphasize community over selfishness,” and home exchange “may help to make our societies work better towards a sustainable future.”

With 93% of respondents satisfied with their experience and 81% having swapped homes more than once, the future also looks bright for home exchange. No longer just looking for an inexpensive travel option, home exchangers possess a deep cultural curiosity (98% declare an interest in cultural heritage and 84% visit museums and nature parks).

While a savvy breed of traveller (with 62% stating a high level of education), home exchangers also represent a wide cross-section of the travelling public. For example, the typical home exchange participant travels as a family (49% of them with children) and comes from across five continents, with the USA, France, Spain, Canada and Italy being the top five countries of residency.

Fair trade food (63%) and organic food (73%) are important to home exchangers, and 69% prepare their own meals while travelling, taking advantage of their access to a fully equipped kitchen. When not on the road, they are active contributors to their communities, with 59% reporting that they participate in community services, wildlife preservation, youth services, cultural preservation or animal welfare.

Given the strong sense of trust found among respondents (75% agree that “most people are trustworthy”), collaborative consumption and home exchange should continue to grow in popularity. As stated in the survey: “Swapping houses is one of the most significant boundaries of modern tourism, because it incorporates some of the dynamics that characterise the tourist of the new millennium: the increasingly felt desire to travel several times a year, even with limited budgets, the need to organize tailor-made trips as personalised as possible and the desire to make the trip an authentic experience… not only to know a new country with all its attractions, but also to immerse yourself in a new culture”.

MY HOUSE IS YOURS – A Worldwide Study on Home Exchangers’ Profiles and Motivations

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

29/03/2024
28/03/2024
27/03/2024
26/03/2024
25/03/2024
22/03/2024