Travel Hosting: Safety and Etiquette

Travel hosting is a fun way to meet new people, visit new places around the world and experience different cultures. Whether you're looking to open your home to international visitors or simply want to meet travelers with similar interests, travel hosting is for you!
 
Like all forms of travel, travel hosting also comes with its own set of safety tips, as well as its own unique rules of safety and etiquette. Here are some safety and etiquette tips to keep in mind while travel hosting.

Travel Hosting Safety Tips

As you meet people and start social networking with other travel hosts, you will start to get to know other members as individuals. Once you have found someone you want to host or who wants to host you, it's a good idea to practice the following:
  • As a general rule of thumb, never participate in travel hosting with a person who makes you uncomfortable in any manner.

  • As with all travel, you'll want to let your friends and family know your travel plans and give them phone numbers where they can contact you.

  • Consider purchasing travel insurance, in case you have to unexpectedly cancel your trip.

  • If you will be staying at someone's home, it is a good idea to know about the local hotels, just in case you don't feel comfortable in your host's home.

  • Make photocopies of your identification, just in case something happens to the originals during your travels.

  • Talk to members over e-mail or on the phone before participating in travel hosting with them. You might even exchange pictures.

Travel Hosting Etiquette Tips

As with all interactions with other people, etiquette is important in travel hosting. When meeting new people, you'll want to be on your best behavior and respect your host's culture and customs. If you will be in an area where you don't speak the local language, you might want to learn some common phrases and greetings.
 
If you have any questions about what will be expected of you during your stay, ask your travel host. This is especially important if you will be a guest in someone's home. Here's a list of questions you might want to ask your travel host:
  • Do you have a house curfew?
  • Do you tolerate smoking or drinking in the house?
  • What are your house rules?
If you are staying with someone in another country, presenting your host with a small gift before you leave or when you arrive might be appropriate. Something that is specific to your hometown might be just the right thing! You might also want to replenish some groceries before you leave or take your hosts out for a meal.
 
If you are hosting a guest in your home, you'll want to tell him your expectations before he arrives. Let him know the following:
  • the house rules
  • whether you will be acting as a tour guide or expect your him to show himself around town
  • whether you will be serving meals.
Discussing your expectations before you participate in travel hosting will make the experience easier for everyone involved.