Hospitality exchange services (hospitality exchange platforms, hospitality exchange networks or HospEx) are social networking services used for accommodation of travellers, where hosts do not receive payments.[1][2][3][4] The relationships on hospitality exchange services are shaped by altruism[5][6] and are related to the cyber-utopianism on the Web in its beginnings and to utopia in general.[7][8]
On HospEx, members typically create public profiles that describe themselves and their travel plans, and then searching for potential hosts or guests based on various criteria such as location, interests, and availability.[9] Travelers connect with local hosts who are willing to offer free accommodation, meals, and/or other forms of hospitality during their trip. The concept of hospitality exchange has been around for a long time, with informal networks of travelers and hosts existing for decades. However, the advent of the internet and social media has made it much easier to connect with people from all over the world, and hospitality exchange networks have become increasingly popular as a way for people to avoid commercial tourism and experience local cultures in a more authentic way.[10] These networks are usually non-profit, registered under .org-domains, built up by volunteers and use open-source software.[11]
The number of users on Hospitality Club in the years 2000 to 2006.
