For those of you who haven't heard of this phenomenon, couch surfing is and has been a very useful way of having a place to stay, a number of different experiences, and possible networking. It has recently come to my attention that there has been an actual project created to make the process of finding a couch to conveniently surf a whole lot easier! Couchsurfing is a website created to help those in need of a couch, and those who have a couch available, to connect and make it happen.
The CouchSurfing Project is a free, Internet-based, international hospitality service, and it is currently the largest hospitality exchange network. The project was commenced in 2003 and formally launched on Jan 1, 2004. As of August 2008, it had more than 700,000 members in 232 countries and territories. According to their own published statistics 40 percent of their members are currently offering their couches to host travellers (with another 22 percent saying "maybe", and others who are travelling at the moment).. According to Alexa it is currently the most visited hospitality service on the Internet, averaging over 30 million daily page views in July 2008.
Members use the website to coordinate contacts and home accommodation ("couch-surfing") with other network members around the world. The website allows the creation of extensive profiles, and uses an optional credit card verification system, a personal vouching system, and personal references to increase security and trust between members. The site offers other features such as discussion groups, events and meetings, and live chat.
There you have it folks! If you are in need of a couch to crash on, please, save yourself the possible agony of wandering amongst your social circles hoping that a possible couch will come up, CouchSurfing is your solution!
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