18 May 2011
exchangeaway featured on Channel 4



2 February 2011
Lloyds TSB UK survey - '2011 the yearof the house swap'




1 February 2011
At exchangeaway we are great enthusiasts for the idea of 'collaborative consumption'.
Time magazine article

What is it?


"Collaborative Consumption describes the rapid explosion in swapping, sharing, bartering, trading and renting being reinvented through the latest technologies and peer-to-peer marketplaces in ways and on a scale never possible before."


Why is this happening?

- A less affluent world
- New technology
- Imaginative thinking

 

What does it mean for you and me?

Reading 'What's Mine Is Yours' by Rachel Botsman these ideas really do point towards a bigger trend of people connecting to make the things we seek more accessible and affordable. We all love travelling to new and interesting places and meeting new people is a surprisingly big part of why travel is so rewarding.

We have noticed something at exchangeaway - the first conversation between two new members follows a pattern and can help you understand how the process works:


- first contact on email followed by...

- discovery of shared interests and likeminded values and thinking

- followed by the realisation that with trust established, 2 members can swap each other's houses for a short time for mutual benefit, unlocking great savings and just as importantly new friends.

 

So the idea is simple and actually very familiar to all of us, we make a new acquaintance, we discover through talking there are things we can share, swap and collaborate on - and everyone benefits.