Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.18048/2022.62.06
Couchsurfing User Preferences and the Impact of the Platform on Destination Tourism
Daniela Gračan
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Primorska 46, 51414 Ika, Croatia
Azra Ekmečić
Iva Musa
orcid.org/0000-0002-2786-4170
Abstract
Couchsurfing is a website, i.e., a platform that provides services to those who dare to use free
accommodation in someone’s home and a platform that offers the opportunity to socialize with
other Couchsurfers and join groups where mutual experiences on tourism and destination activities
are exchanged. Given that the concept of Couchsurfing is unusual in comparison to other platforms
of sharing economy, the aim of this research paper is to determine the profile or characteristics of
platform users and the impact of Couchsurfing on destination tourism. The main goal is to answer
the question on how a platform that provides free accommodation in a foreigner’s home contributes
to the development of tourism and the recognition of the destination. For this purpose, a survey
questionnaire on the attitudes of users was conducted, as well as an in-depth interview with the hosts.
Methods of analysis, comparison and descriptive method were used. The focus of the research is
Croatia as a tourist destination and the key results include financial analysis in terms of consumption
and registration of tourists on Couchsurfing who do not pay the sojourn tax, as well as the effects of
supply, demand and marketing through tourists’ activities in the destination including social media
and other destination image forming activities. These aspects were complemented by research on the
safety and future of Couchsurfing.
Keywords
Couchsurfing; sharing economy; destination; impact on tourism development; user preferences
Hrčak ID:
281446
URI
Publication date:
23.8.2022.
Visits: 921 *