Drugi jezik na kojem je dostupan ovaj članak: Bosnian
The world’s largest portal for the exchange of real estate HomeExchange.com has long ago joined the popular trends in tourism. It has existed for more than 25 years, but today, in a growing global trend of sharing economy, this concept is becoming increasingly popular, and the people who use it are young and old alike, individuals without a partner or a family, all those who own a property. The idea of exchanging your property with someone else in the world, with the purpose of free accommodation over a weekend, a week, a month or even longer, was first developed by Ed Kushins from the US, and today his idea is used by more than 65,000 members worldwide. Croatia has more than 300 members, while in neighboring countries this figure is small, but with great potential in accordance with the growth of tourism and the openness of the region.
Representative of HomeExchange.com for the Adriatic region, Rujana Lukač, shared with us the concept and personal experience of sharing.
“Every property owner could place their apartment or cottage on offer for exchange, and thus stay somewhere for free. Whether it is a house in the countryside or an apartment in the city, anything can be offered, and everything can be equally attractive because destination desires differ.
The idea of exchange is over two decades old. At one time, the exchange was agreed upon through a catalog that arrived at the home address, then letters were sent for the exchange, and you had to reply to those same letters, which all lasted weeks and sometimes months. Since 1992, everything has changed and became easier, because the catalog has replaced by Web, and letters by emails. Today you can arrange a weekend in Paris or New Year’s Eve in New York in literally a couple of emails. Everything is very simple, because you send inquiries and receive inquiries from the outside, arranging the details in a very short time. Exchange may or may not happen at the same time. It depends on whether this is a property in which you live or it is a vacation house that you can offer whenever you want. I’ve been using HomeExchange for almost five years and so far I’ve been included in 15 exchanges throughout the world. What first attracted me to join up at was the fact that I can stay somewhere for free, and in turn I could offer my own property when it fits me and with whom I want. And so it went, first with France and then further throughout Europe, America and Asia. For my real estate I received over 1,000 offers from the world, and almost every day a new offer for exchange appears in my inbox.”
Whether the property is attractive, well decorated, in a good location and its transportation connections are not crucial to the selection, because anyone can highlight something for their property that will be of interest to the other side. The local community also benefits from property exchange, and the tourist season can last all year. Without the cost of accommodation, tourists and guests have more money to spend on restaurants, attractions, and thus support the local community, keeping their doors open even outside the peak days or months.
It’s just that this is a different kind of holiday. Members who share also mention the other side of entering someone’s home, and it’s the friendship that lasts for years after the exchange. With people with whom you exchange, you make a special relationship that you can’t get from classic travel arrangements, and you will also experience the magic of the local community from the local perspective. You receive information first hand, just like having a personal guide on your dream destination.”
Membership in the HomeExchange is paid on an annual basis, and includes unlimited number of exchanges with other people in the world. An average member travels at least twice a year, and the concept is an ideal example of the sharing economy where you share an existing real estate for the purpose of free accommodation and a different view on vacations.