Swap words for a bed!?
In March 2016, a new sharing service called “Talktalkbnb” was launched, where travelers can stay with hosts in exchange for teaching them a language. What is this?
There is a Czech proverb that goes: “As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being.” Perhaps it could be translated as, “The more languages you know, the more human you become.” Knowing many languages is not just about communication skills; it is also about learning about many different cultures.
In March 2016, a new sharing economy service called “Talktalkbnb” was launched, where travelers can stay in someone’s home in exchange for teaching them a language.
The sharing economy is an economic system in which individuals share their surplus assets by lending them out. By leveraging online platforms like social media, the sharing economy has expanded rapidly in recent years, fundamentally changing consumers’ attitudes toward “buying,” “using,” and “owning” various goods and services. The tourism industry is no exception. Services like Airbnb and Uber are even shaking up the very structure of the tourism industry.
On a different note, there is a Czech proverb that goes: “As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being.” Perhaps it could be translated as, “The more languages you know, the more human you become.” Knowing many languages is not just about communication skills; it is also about understanding many cultures. I think everyone keenly feels the importance of language when traveling.
Against this backdrop, a new sharing economy service called “Talktalkbnb” was launched in March 2016. Originating in France, this service allows travelers to stay for free in exchange for teaching the host their native language. Travelers not only get to stay for free but also gain a deeper understanding of a country’s charm by interacting with its people. To enhance safety, there is an option to limit usage to women, and within six months of its launch, 15,000 travelers had already registered.
In recent years, the number of tourists visiting Japan has been increasing rapidly, and concerns have been raised about potential shortages of accommodation. However, services like this that utilize the sharing economy could play a part in solving such problems, while also helping to broaden Japanese perspectives to the world and contribute to the advancement of globalization.
Source: Talktalkbnb
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