Couchsurfing becoming big sustainable tourism opportunity

See inteview with Tony Espinosa Couchsurfing CEO HERE

5 million users have shared more than 10 million face-to-face experiences

Tony Espinoza CEO, at CouchSurfing discusses with Charles Kao how the world’s largest social travel network of 5 million, connects their global community for sharing their cultures, hospitality and authentic experiences in the interest of interacting face-to-face.

In August 2012, CouchSurfing announced raising$15 million in Series B.

Travel is more fun when you have hospitable friends around the world who make you feel at home in any city.

Imagine having interesting friends around the world who will host you in their homes, show you around, and offer you a local’s perspective on what’s cool and interesting in their towns. All this for free.

Couchsurfing offers the opportunity for travelers to search for compatible hosts and fun activities in the cities they are traveling to.

Hosting travelers has been shown to lead to a richer, more fulfilling life, says Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing hosts benefit too they can maintain the adventure and sense of discovery without leaving their home by hosting friends from every corner of the earth.

They learn about new cultures and reignite your love for your city by constantly finding something fun to do and someone to do it with anywhere in the world has never been this easy.

" Perhaps you’re traveling for work to a city you’ve never visited and just want to meet up with a local for coffee, or are looking to share a ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles during your visit to the United States." Says Couchsurfer

"Or maybe you’d like to join a picnic in Paris, a monthly salsa dancing get-together in Tokyo, or a language exchange in València. Couchsurfing has something for everyone."

"Nothing compares to tapping the wisdom of fellow Couchsurfers to plan your next trip"

CouchSurfing provides censored forums where members may seek travel partners or advice. CouchSurfing’s main focus is "social networking" and members organize activities such as camping trips, bar crawls, meetings, and sporting events.

The website features a searchable database of hundreds of upcoming events organised by CouchSurfing members, including the annual "Berlin Beach Camp" which draws over 1,000 attendees, the annual "WinterCamp," and a New Year’s Eve party hosted in a different city in Europe every year.

In August 2011, CouchSurfing announced its change of status to a for-profit corporation. A $7.6 million dollar investment was raised with the ambition to go public. The site had previously been financially operated using donations from members and revenue from the voluntary identity verification service; the latter is still the source of all revenue today. Second and third rounds of investors have .contributed another $15 million.

Valere Tjolle
See amazing new 2012 sustainable tourism report 90% off offer HERE