Couchsurfing: a new form of sustainable tourism and an exploratory study of its motivations and its effect on satisfaction with the stay

Abstract

Purpose This study seeks to explore the motivations behind couchsurfers’ decision to go couchsurfing, and also to explore the influence of the couchsurfing experience on the satisfaction with the stay. Design/methodology/approach The exploratory research is based on a qualitative study using several methods: a netnography, two focus groups and the critical incident technique. Our exploratory research has enabled us to identify the main motivations behind the choice of the couchsurfing experience as a form of sustainable tourism. Findings The obtained results show six major motivations: Financial reasons, the cultural experience, the need for social interaction, professional reasons, the emotional entertainment and the social responsibility. Similarly, the influence of couchsurfing on the satisfaction with the stay manifests itself through the concept of love and family. Practical implications Managers would consider the social and friendly dimension of the touristic experience as a strategic decision. Once, this decision is taken, it is important to find out how the accommodation providers manage to deploy the values that couchsurfing promotes, which are sociability and the preoccupation with the environment and the society. Originality/value The research proved the importance of couchsurfing and its social aspect for the tourists. In fact, the obtained results show that the conviviality and the social relationship that is developed between couchsurfers and their hosts during their couchsurfing experience is what accounts for the tourist’s satisfaction.

Do Emotional Solidarity Factors Mediate the Effect of Personality Traits on the Inclination to Use Nonmonetary Peer-to-Peer Accommodation Networks?

“…In this context, it could be illuminating to compare the expectations and perceptions of people from countries with a more collectivistic culture (e.g., Asian countries) with those from countries with a more individualistic culture (e.g., the United States). Additional consumer characteristics and behavioral determinants, such as different travel motives (e.g., Zgolli and Zaiem 2018) or trust levels (e.g., Ronzhyn 2018) could be analyzed using the model validated in this study. Future studies could analyze the way in which the included factors affect other dependent variables, such as travelers’ satisfaction or loyalty.…”

“…According to Decrop et al (2018) and Schuckert, Peters, and Pilz (2018), participants from different backgrounds can learn more about each other’s cultures, potentially improving understanding among nations. Additionally, from the guest perspective, P2P accommodation gives guests an opportunity to engage in authentic experiences and gain insights into the local living environment (Molz 2013; Zgolli and Zaiem 2018). As part of the sharing economy, P2P accommodation networks are associated with a more sustainable and environmentally friendly form of travel (Hamari, Sjöklint, and Ukkonen 2015; Tussyadiah 2015).…”

“…As part of the sharing economy, P2P accommodation networks are associated with a more sustainable and environmentally friendly form of travel (Hamari, Sjöklint, and Ukkonen 2015; Tussyadiah 2015). Furthermore, these networks enable people on a budget to travel cheaply (Zgolli and Zaiem 2018). The savings they produce can have an advantageous economic effect on the travel industry (e.g., low-cost airlines) and the recreation industry (e.g., city sightseeing), as well as city marketing and local retailers.…”

“…This is particularly true in the case of quantitative empirical studies, which validate models of the usage behavior of P2P accommodation networks, based on large-sized representative samples. Most published studies on P2P accommodation network usage behavior are qualitative (e.g., Zgolli and Zaiem 2018 or Schuckert, Peters, and Pilz 2018). Given the existing research gap, the present study delineates and tests a model of P2P accommodation usage intention, based on a large online survey (N = 600) of German citizens.…”

Pembinaan Kepercayaan dan Persepsi Risiko dalam Pembuatan Keputusan: Kajian Kes Komuniti ‘Couchsurfing’ (Trust Building and Perceived Risk in Decision-Making Process: The Case Study of Couchsurfing Community)

“…Secara amnya sebagai sebuah laman komuniti virtual sosial, Couchsurfing menekankan aspek pembinaan hubungan dengan orang asing (ahli komuniti sosial laman tersebut) yang bertujuan untuk mendapatkan tempat tinggal tanpa sebarang kos. Namun begitu, wujud kebimbangan terhadap isu keselamatan iaitu risiko yang perlu diambil apabila meletakkan kepercayaan pada orang yang tidak dikenali dalam talian di laman jaringan sosial Couchsurfing (Bajs, 2015;Zgolli & Zaiem, 2018). Konsep kepercayaan awal (initial trust) terhadap pihak lain sebelum berlakunya sebarang aktiviti dikenali sebagai tingkah laku kepercayaan pertama (Xu & Kim, 2003;Aruan & Felicia, 2019).…”