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Couchsurfing.com and Hostels

Hostel Trends and News

Josh started this discussion 16 years 1 month ago

Interesting article about couchsurfing.com that briefly mentions hostels:
http://www.nationalpost.com/life/travel/story.html?id=859834

"Couch surfing is a global hospitality network and the premise is that a traveller can stay anywhere in the world, for free, in someone's home, as long as they are willing to sleep on the couch," says Dan Hoffer, another of the four original founders.

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alexazzi

16 years

I suspect this could become a major competitor to the Hostel sector.

The fundamental reason people choose hostels is the social aspect, however it is certainly a valid point that it is very difficult to immerse yourself in the local culture by staying at a hostel. Instead you get what I like to call "the global culture", i.e. travelers from all over the world.

Since I am part of this culture I personally love it, but I guess others would rather experience their destination from the local perspective--and I can imagine more and more people electing to travel this way in the years to come!

In this day of advanced social networking technology, these kind of things can spread like wildfire. And the concept of couch surfing is a perfect application of social technology to travel.

I for one will be following this sector with great interest...

Alex
--
HostelsClub.com

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metty9

16 years

I can see how couchsurfing might be looked at as a threat to hostels but I think its quite the opposite. As a keen couchsurfer myself, we've hosted about 30 people over the past year and the fact that my city doesn't have a hostel has been raised by my guests.

More importantly though, I think people fall into 2 camps when it comes to couchsurfing. Those that get it. And those who just never will. As much as I love couchsurfing, I will be very suprised if it ever becomes big enough to become a serious threat to the hostel industry. Personally for me, its been a great resource about gathering outsiders opinions on my city and what it has to offer.

I definitely see it as a resource and not a threat.

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Peter

16 years

There is also similar project , called - hospitality club.
Even I wouldn't go to a place which is just a free place to stay , advertised on line.
Though , I am a man.
What to say the girls who travel alone ?
Some times the people who offer a free bed , are the once who live in the students boarding houses , or the apartments with a parents , from which they depend , or the once who rent the room themselves.

The project is very social and nice and really is an opportunity to have a friends around the world .
But still , in my opinion - its for the people who has got a very low budget.

If I am traveling , I prefer legal place !
I prefer to reserve the legal bed , to have a comfort and security.
And few euros will offer me all these luxuries.

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Fountainrunner

15 years

I can see how couchsurfing might be looked at as a threat to hostels but I think its quite the opposite. As a keen couchsurfer myself, we've hosted about 30 people over the past year and the fact that my city doesn't have a hostel has been raised by my guests.

More importantly though, I think people fall into 2 camps when it comes to couchsurfing. Those that get it. And those who just never will. As much as I love couchsurfing, I will be very suprised if it ever becomes big enough to become a serious threat to the hostel industry. Personally for me, its been a great resource about gathering outsiders opinions on my city and what it has to offer.

I definitely see it as a resource and not a threat.

I agree, a lot of couch surfers I know are part of the project to socialize with locals. But they also book at hostels because of the convenience and security. It's not an either or option with them but a nice balance of the two in order to get the most bang for your bucks and to experience the best of both worlds when traveling. The truth of the matter is you don't get to live like a local in a hostel, so couch surfing is genius. I think the project compliments hostels nicely. A lot of my couch surfers leave asking about what the best hostels in the area are so clearly they're still interested in booking them. :)

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Dorstener

15 years

agree....This ain't new....things like this have being happening a lot (like people sharing expenses and going from one point to another by car) but it will never be big enough to become a threat to us hostels.....

Although, there is a growing market in people contacting locals that offered themselves before hand to show the area...This might grow...

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Scotch Argus

15 years

Just wondering if this sort of incident will be harmful to concepts such as couchsurfing. I realise that assaults could happen anywhere - a hotel, motel or even hostel, but I guess it just seems it would be a prime concern when staying in someone elses house - what if they turn out to be a wierdo - even if you don't get atttacked you could experience a very uncomfortable night

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canhostel

15 years

Even hostels are not immune. Stayed at a HI in Washington state which was a home hostel (near a nuclear plant, funny thing I remember that). But there were only 8 beds and two guests, myself and a girl. She ended up moving into my room because the house owner was "creepy" with a capital C and she prefered to be in a room with a Canadian stranger than a room all by herself. Definitely had a bad vibe but was so tired from driving 12 hours to get there that did not want to search for a motel or campground. For the record this hostel was removed from HI network the year after.

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flaviopezzini

13 years

Off course there will always be the risk of something bad happening while couchsurfing, however that's a lower risk then something bad happening to you on the streets.
Because when you're couchsurfing you will ALWAYS read the reviews of that person to ensure he/she is the most appropriate host/guest. Most couchsurfers go even further (myself included) as to find the person that I believe will be the best experience. As I'm not a party animal, I prefer to stay/host people who seem to be calmer, laid back, open minded people.

I don't believe couchsurfing will ever be a very large nation. Even today's 1 million people is a little to much people for my taste. It will remain a closed self censored group, which adds a lot to its security.

I disagree Couchsurfing is for tight budgeted people. Even if you don't pay to stay, sometimes you have to go out of the way (not downtown) to meet the host thus spending more on transport. And it's usual to cook dinner together, meaning you will spend with food, helping the host, etc.

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