10% Airbnb growth in Cape Town

According to Cape Town Tourism, there had been a 10% growth in bookings in January 2014 compared to January 2013, and they have predicted that there will be a further increase in the use of the service, which has already grown to 25 million members worldwide since its inception.

Airbnb, which was founded in San Francisco in 2008 and now serving 34,000 cities in 190 countries, allows people to experience their holiday destination in a different way by letting one hire out a room or an entire home as an alternative to staying in a hotel or B&B.

Darren Blair, who works in the Cape Town real estate industry, is a user of the Airbnb platform and only spoke highly of the service, which he and his girlfriend use frequently.

It is almost like a trade

"Airbnb has allowed my girlfriend and I not only to make a substantial second income, we have also had the opportunity to travel to different countries and experience the world and its many cultures. It is almost like a trade, rent out our apartment for a few days and in turn it helps us pay for our travels," said Blair.

Besides just finding a place to stay, as a tourist or a local, you are able to share or get first-hand insider tips on what to do, where to eat and where to find those hidden little gems that most hotel concierge services don't really know about.

Safety has also been taken into consideration, making users feel more at ease when searching for their 'home away from home'.

"With regard to making sure your place is safe and secure renting out to strangers, you are able to view profiles and see reviews your guests have received from their previous Airbnb trips. You are also able to attach a security deposit to the price as well as a cleaning fee," said Blair.

The service has really allowed host and guest alike to experience the world, as there is just something that brings you closer to the city you are visiting when you mix with the locals.