Share your flat
CSCP members share what they share.
Spending holidays in New York is a luxury – not least because of the outrageous cost of accommodation. But there is an online solution in form of a virtual platform that is ready to help solve that problem. CSCP member Isabell Ullrich gave it a try by sharing her flat.
| New York is expensive. It is not only flights and cost of food and shopping, but mainly because hotels and B&Bs without breakfast (just a “B”?) are even still quite expensive. Luckily, |
the online network couchsurfing.org is no longer a secret and many people are happy to offer their homes and couches to visitors for free.
However, demand for couches far outstrips supply. New York couchsurfers receive upwards of 100 requests per week, making it very difficult for visitors to find a place to stay. I experienced this problem personally during a recent visit to the Big Apple. A solution was ‘Air BnB’ which was recommendation from a friend.
Couchsurfing, Air BnB – What’s the difference?
Air BnB as well 9flats and other similar websites offer similar functionality to couchsurfing. The difference from couchsurfing is that, like in a regular Bed & Breakfast you pay a small fee for the accommodation. The platform is a neutral mediator that handles the necessary transaction details to ensure buyer and seller meet their end of the deal.
Getting all the benefits
Air BnB came in very handy while travelling in the US. Now, after returning to Germany I can certainly say that Air BnB exceeded expectations. Accomodations often felt like being at home (because the accpomodatoins were homes). A big difference was that these homes offered the comfort of a hotel: complimentary toothbrushes and shampoo at the bed stand, a
room of one’s own, fresh towels and more. Additionally we had the benefit of a couchsurfing experience in getting to know the locals – our hosts – with whom we not only became friends but who also escorted us to sights that we would have never found in a guidebook.
The share factor of Air BnB
Back in Germany I plan to offer my flat to visitors now that I have enjoyed this positive experience. So my holiday costs me little more that a few clicks on AirBnB.com or a similar websites. I only pay the rent for the place I am actually staying at. No unused living space, no wasted energy. What a sustainable and effective way of sharing space.
Business Air BnB?
But does AirBnB also offer opportunity for business? Certainly. Many people travelling on business who have booked traditional hotel accommodations often contact me via Couchsurfing for advice and local insight. Extending this arrangement to include the accommodation as well is the logical next step. Reliable accommodation with access to the world of the locals.