Homestay accommodation is not just for international students! Staying in a hosted accommodation, whether opting for a standard accommodation, a superior accommodation or executive accommodation, is increasingly an attractive, affordable alternative to dreary hotel chains and hostels for all types of overseas visitors.
A 2014 traveller survey of adults who had chosen a homestay accommodation found that nearly 4 in ten said they were travelling “for leisure”, nearly 3 in ten were on educational courses and just over 1 in ten said they were on business. Other reasons included, undertaking an internship or attending an event.
Large business and cultural events or exhibitions can often mean that traditional hotel supply is low and room prices are higher than normal. Once again, attendees will often turn to a hosted homestay as a refreshingly different opportunity to seek out affordable, quality accommodation in a warm family environment. And home cooking!
‘Authentic experience’
In the digital age of virtual communications, it seems the urge to sample the ‘authentic experience’ by staying with a host family is on the rise. It may not be all that surprising to discover that the top reason travellers chose the homestay option was not because it was “value for money” (14 per cent of respondents) but because they “enjoyed staying in a home environment” (17 per cent). The importance of location followed in 2nd place (16 per cent).
Men and women of all age groups are following the advice they often give to young people who are going on to study at university or college abroad. The best way to get a “real feel” for a country and their particular culture is to live with a family and gain invaluable local experience. The 2014 survey (carried out by homestay organisers), reveals that more than half (53 per cent) of all adult homestay guests are over the age of 30 compared to just under a half (47 per cent) who are aged 18 – 29.
A hosting scheme, operated to approved British Council standards, aims to provide an expected high quality of accommodation, home amenities and host hospitality. So while an individual host is likely to be different each time, a guest visitor should always receive a high standard of hosted experience wherever they choose to stay.
Host family members should be able to directly help with all sorts of issues
A hosted experience could mean becoming more involved in the life of a host family, such as always sharing meals and even attending family events, such as a birthday celebration. In other cases, a guest on a business trip, for example, may simply wish to have a greater privacy and be left to come and go as they please. Advance homestay planning should always include finding out how much, or how little interaction will be involved with a host family to make sure everyone knows what to expect.
Apart from discussing any dietary restrictions or other special needs, there should also be clear guidelines for use of the home amenities, from the Hoover, refrigerator and the washing machine to the TV screen and the home Wifi. A host may also ask guests to help with basic home chores, respect particular house rules, such as “quiet hours” at a certain time of night after family members have gone to bed.
Ultimately, immersing in the local experience is to encounter different customs and social norms. The good news is that host family members should be able to directly help with all sorts of local issues that could unexpectedly trip an international visitor up. Anything from a mispronounced word with an unintended embarrassing meaning to working out transport zone fares.
Guest feedback included in the 2014 homestay survey broadly estimated that more than 8 in ten of visitors rated their homestay experience as “very good” or “excellent”. Which of course, may not be all that surprising since many adult travellers and their homestay hosts both share a key attitude in common – experience is the greater value! Not so different from international students then…