Peer-to-peer as a travel accommodation option and the customer value
Rakovets, Elizaveta (2016)
Rakovets, Elizaveta
Saimaan ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 1.0 Finland
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016121220012
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016121220012
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of the study was to investigate the concept of peer-to-peer accommodation as a travel lodging option from the customers’ point of view and the reasons for choosing that. Airbnb and Couchsurfing were used as examples of peer-to-peer accommodation.
The theoretical section of the thesis covers the history of the homestay concept as the original form of peer-to-peer accommodation, its features as a part of hospitality exchange network, and the influence of modern technologies. The Gen Y representatives’ lifestyle and purchasing behavior is studied. The information for the theoretical part was gathered from different web articles and literature. The empirical section presents the study of the reasons for choosing peer-to-peer accommodation and the customers’ satisfaction overview. The data of the empirical part was gathered through an online questionnaire survey.
The results of the study show that most peer-to-peer accommodation customers are the Gen Y representatives and are basically satisfied with the lodging option. The two main reasons for choosing that are social and financial. Social factors are connected with the opportunity to meet new people and communicate with them in person. Financial factors mean the lower price of this type of accommodation, and customers’ willingness to be more cost-efficient. The research finding can be applied for further investigation and in customer relationship management.
The theoretical section of the thesis covers the history of the homestay concept as the original form of peer-to-peer accommodation, its features as a part of hospitality exchange network, and the influence of modern technologies. The Gen Y representatives’ lifestyle and purchasing behavior is studied. The information for the theoretical part was gathered from different web articles and literature. The empirical section presents the study of the reasons for choosing peer-to-peer accommodation and the customers’ satisfaction overview. The data of the empirical part was gathered through an online questionnaire survey.
The results of the study show that most peer-to-peer accommodation customers are the Gen Y representatives and are basically satisfied with the lodging option. The two main reasons for choosing that are social and financial. Social factors are connected with the opportunity to meet new people and communicate with them in person. Financial factors mean the lower price of this type of accommodation, and customers’ willingness to be more cost-efficient. The research finding can be applied for further investigation and in customer relationship management.