Fifth International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies

Abstract

One of the latest tourism trends is the online niche accommodation-sharing website, Couchsuring.com. This niche accommodation not only provides free accommodation to travellers (who would otherwise not have been able to travel due to high accommodation prices), but also a more authentic experience during which cultures are exchanged, among other aspects. However, a country such as South Africa, which is famous for (and dependent on) its tourism industry, is lagging significantly behind the rest of the world regarding the uptake of Couchsurfing. In an attempt to discover why the country is lagging behind, quantitative research was done by means of online questionnaires that were distributed to active international as well as South African Couchsurfer hosts. Although socio-demographic behaviour and motives for hosting were measured and compared, it was found that the global Couchsurfing market is mostly homogeneous in their approach to this niche form accommodation. Even the influence of a high crime rate in South Africa did not influence any differences in approach. One of the possible reasons for South Africa lagging behind might be attributed to ineffective marketing efforts, meaning that perhaps the majority of South Africans are unaware of Couchsurfing and its benefits. Recommendations are made.