What is home swapping?

In the classic 2006 Christmas rom-com, The Holiday, Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz turn their lives upside down by swapping homes for two weeks. Although the two protagonists don’t know each other, the film’s catalyst is a home-swapping website, allowing Cameron Diaz to leave her Hollywood Hills villa for an English cottage and vice versa. Almost twenty years later, home swapping is becoming part of the hospitality landscape as a potential solution against mass tourism. As the English term suggests, home swapping simply means exchanging homes between two people living in different places, and it’s not entirely new. In fact, one of the first online platforms dedicated to this, HomeExchange, was born in 1992 and saw a boom in memberships after the Hollywood film's release. Today, the concept of home swapping has evolved significantly: whereas it was once an alternative way to travel and truly experience local culture, it is now carving a niche in the current over-tourism scenario.

This year, hospitality giant Airbnb has faced harsh criticism from governments and the general public for encouraging homeowners to rent short-term instead of addressing the current housing demand crisis. Barcelona, among the world’s major tourist hubs, has been particularly resolute in responding to mass tourism; in fact, the city of Catalan has announced a total ban on short-term rentals starting in 2028. While Airbnb initially aimed to counter the high prices of traditional hotels and simultaneously offer guests an opportunity to immerse in the host's community, today the American platform has lost its charm and core values. And when BnBs prices during peak season can cost almost more than the vacation itself, home swapping entirely eliminates accommodation costs. In a landscape where low-cost flights are no longer so affordable and budget travel seems increasingly impossible, the solution seems to be opening your home’s doors to strangers (despite what mothers might say).

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Barbara and Glenn Osterwisch, two home-swapping veterans, stated that one of the key rules of home-swapping is to establish a friendly relationship with the other party so that upon entering someone else’s home, there’s no sense of trespassing. According to these travelers, home swaps aren’t suitable for tourists who like everything exactly to their liking. Unlike short-term rentals, home swaps often involve people’s primary residences. This means living in a space filled with personality and memorabilia, fully immersing oneself in the host’s life: staying in someone else's home is the heart of the experience but it does not offer the same amenities as a hotel with reception and staff ready to resolve potential issues. This is where home-swapping platforms come into play.

The home-swapping market has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by travelers’ desire for more authentic and cost-effective experiences. Justine Palefsky, CEO of the home-swapping platform Kindred, reports a “huge increase in interest” in home-swapping, with the number of overnight stays seven times higher in 2023 compared to 2022. Moreover, Palefsky expects even greater growth in 2024. Platforms like HomeExchange boast over 150,000 members in 145 countries, indicating rising global interest in this form of hospitality. According to a study by Idealista, Italians spend an average of 1,000 euros for a week-long vacation. By opting for home swapping, it’s possible to save up to 39% of the accommodation budget, allowing people to travel more frequently or for longer periods. Demographically, typical home-swap users are families, professionals, and long-term travelers seeking a deeper cultural immersion. Europe represents one of the strongest markets, with countries like France, Spain, and Italy significantly contributing to the total number of swaps. The sector’s growth is also supported by the emergence of new platforms and increased consumer trust in sharing-based systems.

Despite the numerous advantages, home swapping is not without limitations. Unlike booking an Airbnb or hotel, which offers immediacy and almost instant availability, home swapping requires longer waiting times. Sarah Wood, a writer and now home-swapping connoisseur, has indicated that finding a suitable match is the most tedious part of the swap, particularly in terms of scheduling since it depends on mutual availability and interest from the other party. Furthermore, if you live in a non-touristic area, it may be harder to attract travelers eager to stay in your home, making this option less inclusive for those not residing in popular destinations. Therefore, while home swapping represents a fascinating and sustainable alternative, it does not guarantee the same accessibility and flexibility offered by traditional accommodation solutions.