How CouchSurfing Plans To Make Money
Ever since CouchSurfing went for-profit, members have been left wondering how it plans to monetize. This video featuring CouchSurfing CEO Tony Espinoza provides some interesting hints as to where it’s heading.
Predictably, it looks like there will be an emphasis on leveraging the member base to connect with services such Transportation, Travel Insurance, Gear etc. I suspect it’ll work like Facebook Platform where they will take a commission from 3rd-party sales (like how Facebook makes money from Zynga).
Unpredictably, Lodging looks to be another premium service. Perhaps members will soon be able to book hostels through CouchSurfing and connect with other members staying at the same place.
You heard it here first, folks!
I’m more interested in what your thoughts are on this Roy.
Ian [EagerExistence] recently posted..New Years Resolutions
Ian, that’s the next post :)
In short, I’m not surprised (but not to say I’m happy). CS management needs to come up with something to demonstrate a planned ROI for the US$22 million they received. Just like Facebook today is something very different from it’s college roots, CouchSurfing is heading to become a travel platform.
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