Homestay and its Differences from Guest Houses and Hostels

The concept of a homestay is actually quite simple. You rent out your unused property on a short-term basis to guests traveling in your city. This concept is clearly different from a hotel because as a host, you share your home with guests and don’t have to provide room or restaurant service around the clock. So it doesn’t require a lot of capital.

The easiest way to start this business is to list your home on platforms like Airbnb, and Trip Advisor. Or you can also post ads directly on Facebook, Instagram, and Google to save on the commission charged on those platforms.

As part of the registration process, you will need to upload identification and property-related documents. You don’t have to pay anything to register yourself on this portal but they charge a commission of three to percent on average for each booking.

There is no limit to how much space can be removed. From a single room to an entire floor to a villa, you can allocate the space you want. If you need the space for personal use, you can block those dates on the platform first. If your sole income depends on this business, be prepared to plan your annual finances accordingly.

Definition of Homestay or Home Lodging

Homestay is accommodation that provides an opportunity for people who like to travel to stay with local families for an additional fee. This accommodation is an affordable accommodation alternative and is even said to be ideal for travelers of all ages who are looking for a real and authentic travel experience.
Living here also allows tourists to meet the local community and culture of the places they visit. By communicating with the host, tourists can also find new places, with a local orientation or places to eat that they want to try. So, this can be a comfortable and economical way to accommodate when traveling for a long time in an area that has never been visited before.

History of Hostels

According to the website, the history of the hostel began in 1909 when a teacher from Germany named Richard Schirrmann. He realized that he needed affordable accommodation for his students during their school holidays. However, he also wanted to give his students experiences that were never taught at school. In August 1909, while Richard Schirrmann and his students were traveling, they were caught in a storm.

This made them seek shelter in a school building. Richard also asked the school dean for permission to stay overnight at the school during the storm. The dean of the school allowed them to use the classroom. A local farmer also helped them make beds made of straw. Then an idea emerged to turn schools in Germany into accommodation during school holidays.

In 1912, he opened the first hostel, located at Altena Castle in Germany. According to Richard, hostels are considered a place to build character and develop a sense of independence, because residents get the opportunity to see how other people live.