Historically, many travelers have felt that their only options for accommodations were hotels or vacation rentals. However, Kindred, a global, members-only home swapping platform, is revolutionizing a third option of accommodations compared to hotels and short-term rentals. Modern home swapping, a fast-growing trend pioneered by Kindred, affords travelers the chance to stay in comfortable homes for a fraction of the cost in an authentic, human-centric experience. Instead of paying for accommodations, Kindred members trade homes – not cash – allowing members to see the world for a fraction of the cost.
Since launching in 2021, Kindred has built a global movement with over 220,000 members throughout 150 cities across North America and Europe reaching 250,000 total nights booked in 2025 – clear proof of demand for a model built on trust, reciprocity, shared values and affordability. The top requested cities include NYC, London, Paris, San Francisco, Barcelona, Los Angeles and Mexico City.
Kindred recently revealed the findings of its new 2026 Global Travel Forecast of 4,000 consumers across the U.S. and the U.K. which found that 61% respondents named affordability as their top motivation when planning trips for the year ahead, signaling a clear shift toward the desire for smarter, more economical ways to see the world. Notably, more women (66%) than men (57%) ranked affordability as their main concern.
“Affordability has always mattered, but it’s now the leading driver of travel decisions,” notes Justine Palefsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Kindred. “People aren’t traveling less — they’re traveling smarter. They’re looking for ways to maintain the joy of discovery while avoiding inflated prices and impersonal experiences. Trust is at the heart of everything we do. In a world where travel has become increasingly transactional, Kindred reintroduces human connection that’s often lost with other accommodation types. Every interaction is designed to build trust: from pre-trip video calls and in-app DMs between host and guests, to global in-person community events where members can connect in-person with like-minded travelers.”
According to Palefsky, a reciprocal model is what drives this. Kindred is a give-to-get model, where everyone is both a guest and a host. It is impossible to pay for credits or nights at a Kindred home.
Members list their primary home to earn credits as they host, and then use those credits — rather than cash — to stay in others’ homes around the world. No money is exchanged between guests and hosts, which completely changes the dynamic. It is travel rooted in generosity, not transaction.
Tasneem Amina, Co-Founder and President, says, “We’ve built a true exchange model, meaning that one night hosted equals one night you can book, regardless of home size or value. Hosting someone in your real home is an act of real vulnerability and generosity, regardless of your home’s size. We wanted to reward that act of vulnerability equally. Kindred’s model allows members to travel without the financial burden of traditional accommodation. It’s a real sharing economy in action. The more you give, the more you can explore.”
Palefsky adds, “Kindred homes are verified to ensure safety, comfort and quality, with each member undergoing ID verification, adding a layer of security. It’s how we make sure our community feels both elevated and trusted — two things that don’t always go hand in hand in travel today.”
The Future of Affordable, Human Travel
When asked specifically what factors they anticipate would impact their travel plans, over half cited rising living costs (55% UK; 50% US), followed by the price of accommodation (45%) and price of flights (40%). With Kindred, members only pay a small service fee and cleaning fee — meaning a stay costs roughly one-tenth of a short-term rental in a comparable home.
Home Swapping as a Travel Alternative
The survey went on to identify consumer motivations tied to their next holiday. Notably, many consumers are planning travel around entertainment and culture: concerts (44%), sporting events (43%) and the theater (40%). The data overall points to a growing demand for travel experiences that feel rooted in local culture, personal and financially sustainable, with more travelers turning away from overpriced hotels and short-term rentals.
According to the new survey, nearly three quarters of respondents globally have heard of home swapping yet only one in ten of respondents have already done at least one home swap, and only 16% are thinking of doing home swapping.
“There’s still work to do in educating consumers on the benefits of home swapping,” adds Palefsky. “We’re starting to shift the way people think about travel to unlock destinations and experiences that might otherwise feel out of reach — enabling a richer, more frequent travel lifestyle, without the cost being a barrier.”
Affordability is the biggest draw for home swapping with 32% saying its value for money would make them most likely to choose it over other accommodation options. Other top motivations included access to family-friendly homes (20%); peace of mind knowing their own home isn’t empty (20%); the chance to experience destinations like a local (17%); and greater convenience (15%).
Pop Culture Meets Festive Travel
Home swapping is also capturing the imagination of travelers thanks to cultural moments. Ahead of the upcoming holiday season, and inspired by the classic film The Holiday,42% of respondents who have seen the movie say they’re open to trying a home swap in real life. In fact, homes featured in The Holiday topped the list of film and television homes that respondents want to visit beating other famous homes like Home Alone, the apartment from Friends in NYC or the beach house from The Summer I Turned Pretty. Survey respondents also listed Los Angeles and London (the two cities featured in the film) as their top desired destinations to home swap.
This desire for an adventure – particularly around the festive season – aligns with a surge in American Kindred members looking to swap homes to the UK, mirroring the movie’s transatlantic swap. The platform has seen a 91% increase in US members planning trips to the UK in December year-on-year.
However, many still have hesitations: 53% worry about strangers staying in their home and 49% fear property damage — all barriers that Kindred addresses through its verified, trust-based reciprocal model, while offering professional cleaning as part of its concierge service.
“At its heart, travel is about belonging — discovering people and places that make you feel at home,” Palefsky says. “The next era of travel isn’t just about where you go, but how you do it.”