While a majority of Americans haven't and won't consider booking through Airbnb or other home-sharing sites, more than nine out of 10 U.S. adults who have booked a homestay say they are likely to do it again, according to a recent survey from Consumer Reports.
The independent, not-for-profit consumer organization's National Survey Research Center surveyed more than 2,000 Americans as part of its "Homes Away From Home: The Appeal-and Pitfalls-of Home-Sharing" report and found that 92 percent of U.S. travelers that have booked a home-sharing service are likely or very likely to become a return guest.
More than half of respondents (53 percent) indicated their experience was "very good" while more than one-third (37 percent) said their experience was at least "good."
The survey also uncovered that saving money is the biggest reason travelers turn to homestays like Airbnb and HomeAway, with 70 percent citing that motivation in particular. Citing a report from Morgan Stanley, Consumer Reports points out that an Airbnb rental in the U.S. can cost as much as 17 percent less than an upper-scale chain hotel.
Unique accommodations (58 percent) and kitchen availability (53 percent) are among the top reasons Americans opt for home-sharing sites. Culture is also a major draw. According to the survey, 75 percent of Americans who have never tried a homestay but would consider it said they would give it a shot just to dive into the local culture.
Still, there are some fears that keep many Americans glued to traditional hotels.
Although two out of three survey respondents (65 percent) reported no problems with their homestay experience, half of Americans wouldn't even consider booking straight from the owner, with a majority refusing because they don't know what to expect.
Safety concerns (55 percent) and not wanting to interact with homeowners (40 percent) are two other notable factors, according to the report.
[READMORE] READ MORE: Airbnb vs. Hotel: Which is Right For You? [/READMORE]
"While home sharing services may offer consumers a chance to save money on a unique experience, services and consumer protections vary," said Lauren Lyons Cole, CFP and Consumer Reports money expert, in a statement. "Travelers should be aware of what they are getting into before opting for a vacation rental."
Since there are potential pitfalls in booking a homestay, Consumer Reports highlights advice for travelers.
This includes diving deep into the review section, carefully comparing prices and attempting to negotiate a discount whenever possible.
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