THE MODEL: A platform where users can find different homes in their destination of choice and swap them with their own. Users can either swap directly with other users or can use points earned to find houses they can stay in.
STARTUP: LoveHomeSwap(British startup)
WHAT I LIKE
Core Idea – Home-swapping is a great way to travel on a budget and also get an authentic experience of the place you wish to visit.
Swapping Protection- The startup also provides users protection against accidental damage and booking cancellations. This is able to create trust, which probably is the main bottleneck in users using a service like this.
Encouraging Travel– One of the biggest constraints in travel is the budget. Home swapping is able to address that quite reasonably.
CONCERNS
Safety – I feel safety of users and properties is a crucial factor in the transaction. The startup, in addition to providing insurance, should also vet their users well before adding them into the community.
