# Sofa Swap The Couch Surfing Project By Ben Preiss | Published 2007-09-21 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/couch-surfing References: [nytimes](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/garden/20couch.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&adxnnl=0&adxnnlx=1190276973-zlfOa9YI3Un1jNUqtqYwUg) & [couchsurfing](http://www.couchsurfing.com/) Using a [FaceBook](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noplace-app)-like model and a concept that goes beyond “your couch is my couch,” the Couch Surfing Project, at couchsurfing.com, encourages members, both guests and hosts, to use their couch time to develop a friendship and share a cultural experiences. It's like a [house-swap](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homeexchange), but on a smaller scale -- during your stay in the city, you get to [sleep on a stranger's couch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/couchmas). In exchange, they'll sleep on yours when they come to your town. The phenomenon is catching on, with over 300,000 members already from over 31,000 places. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 7% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarreworld) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Couch Surfing:** Opportunity to disrupt the travel industry by creating a platform that connects travelers with local hosts for cultural exchange. - **Friendship Economy:** Opportunity to create platforms that foster genuine friendships and cultural experiences through shared accommodations. - **Social Sharing:** Opportunity to expand the concept of sharing economy to include more interpersonal connections and experiences. ### Who This Affects Most - **Travel & Tourism:** Opportunity for travel companies to incorporate peer-to-peer accommodations and cultural exchange into their offerings. - **Hospitality:** Opportunity for hotels and traditional accommodations to explore new models that promote social interactions and local experiences for guests. - **Social Networking:** Opportunity for social networking platforms to create features or spin-off platforms that facilitate cultural exchange and the formation of genuine friendships. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Connective Economic Travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swapper.md) - [Social Network Room Sharing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flatx.md) - [Family Homestay Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homestays-with-kids.md) - [Cultural Travel Stays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adventure-homestay1.md) - [Social Networking Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/internet-social-caf.md) - [Pop Culture-Inspired Rentals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airbnb-3.md) - [Travel Rewards Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hostel-hop.md) - [Backpacker-Connecting Travel Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cotravel.md) - [Alternative Travel Incentives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roamr-for-friends.md)