The concept of hospitality service, also known as "accommodation sharing", "hospitality exchange" (short "hospex"), "home stay networks", or "home hospitality network" ("hoho"), refers to centrally organized social networks of travelers, who offer or seek homestays (accommodation in a home) either with or without monetary exchange. These services generally connect users via the internet. Hospitality services are examples of collaborative consumption and sharing. In cases where money is not exchanged in return for accommodation, they are examples of a barter economy or gift economy.
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History
In 1949, Bob Luitweiler founded Servas International, the first hospitality service, as a cross-national, nonprofit, volunteer-run organization advocating interracial and international peace.
In 1965, John Wilcock set up the Traveler's Directory as a listing of his friends willing to host each other when traveling. In 1988, Joy Lily rescued the organization from imminent shutdown, forming Hospitality Exchange.
In 1966, a hospitality service for Esperanto speakers called Programo Pasporto was created. It became Pasporta Servo in 1974.
In 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced the formation of Friendship Force International, which today operates 300 programs every year, in 377 communities in 60 countries.
In 2000, Veit Kuhne founded Hospitality Club, the first internet-only hospitality service.
In 2004, Casey Fenton founded CouchSurfing, the largest hospitality service in which accommodation is offered without monetary exchange.
In 2008, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia founded Airbnb after a popular conference made it hard to find accommodation. Hosts receive monetary compensation from guests, paid online in advance, and Airbnb receives a fee on each transaction.
In 2013, Mandy Rowe founded Broads Abroad Travel Network, which is the only online hospitality service exclusively for women.