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Why did we start a holiday swap site?The inkling of an idea for this site came about in 1999, when our family chartered a bareboat in the Aegean Sea and sailed from the island of Samos to Athens. Two weeks was not enough. But it was too expensive to charter the boat for much longer, and too inconvenient to sail our boat there. A Boat Swap would have been ideal. In 2002, while holidaying in Thailand, we were shown a timeshare opportunity. But we already owned a holiday apartment on Queensland's Sunshine Coast here in Australia, and a forty foot yacht that had originally been a chartered bareboat in the Whitsunday Islands. We did not want to outlay more capital. We just wanted to be able to do a Holiday Apartment Swap, or a Boat Swap with people in similar situations.
Hence, So Simple Holiday Swaps. When the site was designed we had never heard of 'Home Swapping'. The site was simply a reaction to the above. We apologise if the design of the site does not suit home swapping, but the prime purpose of the site is for members to swap their holiday accommodation or services, where things like times and numbers of people are not so important.
Once you have selected a property, vehicle, van, boat, or tour that takes your fancy,
members simply contact the owner or agent by email, telephone, fax, or snail
mail, and make your own arrangements. You can do this as many times as you wish.
You should make contact even if they have not listed your location as a place they wish to visit.
You may be pleasantly surprised.
We would suggest that both parties complete a documented agreement for each property, and an example is provided for Real Estate, and Vehicles & Boats. These were drafted by a lawyer, but are not copyright, and may be downloaded or printed, and modified as you wish. We do not make any travel bookings, but we can recommend an Australian Travel Agent.
If your property is a Bed & Breakfast, an Inn, Pub, Motel, Resort, or a Tour, treat your guests to your service. A Hospitality swap. Anything can be accomplished with a little negotiation.
Please don't! Consider the quality of the experience, and use that for your valuation. Do not be put off if you believe your place is too modest for anyone else's tastes. There are many reasons why someone else may choose your place: They may wish to visit friends or relatives who live in the district, but whose home is unsuitable for visitors. There may be a business function, festival, or sporting competition, they wish to attend, or landmarks of interest in your district they wish to see. They may wish to use your place as a base to tour the district at large. Go and search the internet for “Interesting Golf Courses of the World”, “Theme Parks”, “Great Dive Sites”, or your favourite hobby, and then check our site for a possible holiday exchange with someone with a swap nearby.
Do you have any queries, questions, complaints or compliments? |
Most insurance companies and police departments actually prefer properties to
be occupied. It is unlikely that your known guest will steal from you, or
damage your property, but many burglaries occur when places are unoccupied.
If your property is not your only home, you do not have to exchange at the same
time! This can be handy if you are unsure of having strangers in your
property, especially if it is a boat. You can be available full time or part
time, whatever is agreeable, to assist your guests. It also allows you to time
your holiday better to suit your circumstances, and the weather at your chosen
destination.
If your property is luxurious and you are considering swapping for a shack by
a lake, you may think, "I should ask for some money to balance the quality of
accommodation".
Copyright © 2005 John Brinkley. All rights reserved with exceptions.