Airbnb , UBER, couchsurfing , and social dinners are formidable examples of the sharing economy . People's travel and transportation habits have evolved over time and have also diversified significantly, generating different types of tourism. Tourist accommodations have also had to evolve to keep up with ever-changing, increasingly complex demand.
What is perhaps little known to the general public is that the sharing economy and the phenomena that followed it (Airbnb, Uber, etc.) were born within Bed & Breakfasts. B&Bs introduced the concept of a family welcome , sharing , and total immersion in the local culture to the market . Bed and Breakfasts have revolutionized the concept of hospitality until then.
Marketing techniques for Bed and Breakfast: Live Sharing and immersion in local culture
The Bed and Breakfast concept originated in Ireland in the 20s , when families began renting out their children's rooms as they left home. It later spread to England , then to the United States , and finally to the rest of Europe . They arose to meet a practical need: offering lodging to travelers traveling on routes not heavily frequented by tourists, where there were no hotels.
Only recently has this type of accommodation been recognized by the Regions with specific regulations, and today they are regulated throughout Europe. It is an alternative to traditional hotel hospitality, which makes the Sharing Economy its very raison d'être. Among the advantages offered by bed and breakfasts are lower costs and a significant added value : complete immersion in the local culture. If that weren't enough, B&Bs have created jobs and stimulated market growth.
