SYLVIE, KIANA, SARAH & ANNE'S IDEA: A Sustainable Homestay App
Your Name
Sylvie, Kiana, Sarah & Anne
In one sentence, tell us about your idea.
what if there was a homestay app or platform that allows you to connect with locals in different cities across the world who either want to show you around the city or host you at their homes for a night?
Finish this sentence: My ideal collaborative partner or partners would be...
Ideal homestay hosts would speak at least beginner English (or whatever the tourist's native language is) to be able to communicate with one another. If the host is hosting you at their home for one night they would need an appropriate bedroom or area for you to stay. The app could also include some sort of background check for hosts and travellers to increase safety measures. Review systems will also be set in place so that travellers can give a review to hosts.
In regards to finding the right collaborator, what is the most immediate or most pressing challenge you're facing right now?
A challenge would be safety. To increase safety measures we would have background checks, ratings and review systems set in place. There will also be a messaging aspect to the app where the tourist and host can easily contact each other and communicate before they meet.
BONUS QUESTION: What is it about your idea that makes you feel good?
The homestay app will encourage sustainable travel and allow tourists to learn more about the destination's culture, food and heritage from a locals perspective.
What makes your idea innovative? Why has no one ever done it before?
This app has an emphasis on eco-friendly behaviours. Swapping houses rather than staying in hotels and other places will waste less resources and eliminate the amount of hotel rooms that will be occupied. it also gives people a more authentic view of whichever place they're visiting.
How far does your idea reach?
Global
Ideally, when would you launch this idea?
In a year
Who will benefit the most from your idea?
Anyone that likes to travel on a budget and see the world in an eco-friendly way.
At Sigmund, we are interested in ideas at the intersection of People, Planet, and Profit. How does your idea support these three categories?
Our homestay app is for the people and is out to help people find accommodations. It is good for the planet because long stays in hotels with constant cleaning and use of resources whereas homestay uses much less resources. Finally, the tourism industry will profit because it is bringing people from all around the world to different tourism destinations bringing more profit to the area.
Making the world a better place can seem daunting. At Sigmund, we have found this list of UN Goals to be a great compass. What UN goals would you say your idea relates to?
Affordable and Clean Energy
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Responsible Consumption and Production