Leave the hotel, Indians are now exchange of homes for travel
True to your name is true, Hameexachenge allows you to exchange a place to live with your home or someone else.
In short
- Home Exchange is becoming a new way to travel in India
- This exchange is done through an app that allows home-swapping for travelers
- The app, a success in the West, was recently launched in India
When Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet exchange of homes in the film ‘The Holiday’, it was not just about going to a new place, but was about to drown itself in a new world. Tired of his world (read: relationship), filled with disappointments, both heroes went to a platform called Home Axchange, where he swapped homes and discovered a different future.
But what if we told you that the Home Access is a very real, Paris-based app that is changing the way people travel? True to your name is true, Hameexachenge allows you to exchange a place to live with your home or someone else.
Extremely popular in the West, this platform is now launched in India and is becoming a new way that Indians are traveling by giving them a chance to experience the thrill of home-swapping. Who knows, maybe you will get the love of your life on the way?
Ever imagined your flat for a cool beach house? Now, you can do it IRL.
Unlike the hotel, Hameexachege allows you to swipe through options, connect with homeowners, and if both sides feel that it is a good fit, then you swap homes. If you are familiar with modern dating apps, Homeexachenge feels clearly similar – you swipe until you find your correct match. Except for this time, this is your dream home for that long -awaited holiday.
After its launch in India, the initial data reflects the highest traction coming from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Goa and Bangalore. However, the platform is still searching for ideal demographic fit within the country.
“Globally, we are clearly the market leaders,” says Emmanuel Arnod, CEO of Homexchange. Today India,
“Just our name – Home Access – is the category name, and we have achieved our eight rivals. Therefore, we have a very major position globally,” they say.
While the home -ofchan can be a new concept for many Indians, Arnoud is optimistic about its ability. The platform provides an economic benefit at traditional travel housing.
Let’s look at some numbers. Hameexachenge requires an annual fee of only Rs 7,500, after which you can swap homes as many times as you want within that year. This flat duty allows members to allow unlimited home exchanges for an entire year, making it an affordable option for hotels and holiday fare.
Now here we want to mention that the app, except just the exchange, allows you to stay there while taking someone’s home and traveling, when you are traveling, such as a non-obtained.
As the first phase, Arnoud’s company plans to list more than 5,000 houses from India in its app.
“For families with children, being able to exchange homes with another family means that you find a fully equipped place – whether it is a high chair, stroller, or even a playstation for teenagers. It is convenient, comfortable, and feels like a home,” Aranod explains.
Hameexachenge also fulfills top communities in India. Golfers exchange homes near courses, surfers find spots with large waves, and even tettotol can connect with similar-ideology hosts. Emphasis has been laid on creating personal experience based on common interests.
“It’s not only about being cheap. People with amazing houses also use home -ofchange, it is a different relationship for travel and hospitality,” says Arnod.
Unlike AirBNB or Homaste, the Home Oxches thrives on community buildings and shared interests, according to its CEO. Whether it is family traveling with children or surfers chasing the best waves, the idea is to match lifestyle rather than only qualities.
Challenges in the Indian market
Despite its early success in India, many obstacles must be removed to really integrate in the local travel ecosystem. While urban centers are a natural fit for the platform, more rural areas of India may take longer to adopt home-swapping as a concept, Aranoud believes.
The idea of sharing his home with a stranger can also be a foreign concept for many (including the US) in India, where traditional hospitality values are more prominent. In addition, security will also be a concern for many Indians, as many YouTube reviews show the exchange very wrongly.
This is the place where the social nature of the homage is in the game – Arnoud says it is not just about business places; It is about promoting connections and understanding various cultures, something that can be very attractive in a culturally rich country like India (this means that you can swap even with someone living abroad).
what does the future hold?
Hameexachege has the ability to bring revolution in the way Indians travel. With a more affordable travel option and unique experience of living like a local, the platform can become a prime in the Indian travel scene well, as many are already choosing the option for it.
Since travel trends move towards more durable and immersive travel experiences, since the Covid-19, instead of staying in hotels or resorts, there has been an alliance with increasing demand for more authentic, personal journey in India.
The model has already proved successful in Europe and North America. In India, where the domestic journey is booming, the home -ofchan can not only offer the ability, but also a unique cultural exchange that appeals equally to the millians and families, and if the global success of the app is done, then Indians can be swipe in this new way of travel.
What do you think about this new way of travel?
