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HomeExchange to launch in India with the lowest membership cost globally

Will integrate 5,000 Indian homes to network with lowest membership cost worldwide

HomeExchange

HomeExchange

Roshni Shekhar Mumbai

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Paris-based HomeExchange, a home-sharing network, will tap into the Indian market, and aims to integrate up to 5,000 homes in its network, the company said on Tuesday.
 
The global platform has announced an annual membership fee of Rs 7,500 per year for India, which is the lowest compared to its existing markets.
 
In comparison, the annual membership in the US is $220.
 
The model is expected to draw millennials and Gen Z travellers, who prioritise experiential travel, as well as families desiring comfortable, home-like accommodations at affordable prices.
 
“Currently, our top five markets are France, Spain, the US, Italy, and Canada,” Emmanuel Arnaud, chief executive officer, HomeExchange told Business Standard in a virtual interview. “We think that within five years, India can be in our top five markets and have around 3,000 to 5,000 homes in the first year,” Arnaud said.
 
 
At present, HomeExchange does not have a presence in Asia. With over 200,000 members in 155 countries, each member generates approximately $200 in revenue for the company annually. This makes its global revenue around $40 million.
 
Going forward, Arnaud expects the company’s global revenue to quadruple in the next five years, with India expected to contribute at least $10 million to its revenue.
 
It will establish its office in Delhi-NCR to oversee local operations, community engagement, and partnerships with tourism boards and sustainability-focused organisations. 
 
The expansion plan in India is divided into two phases.
 
The first phase will capture India’s outbound travel market with a focus on metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi NCR, and the second phase is to establish itself in popular tourist destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, and Shimla for inbound travel. 
 
“It’s not just where you stay, but how you connect with people and cultures in a transformative way,” Charles-Edouard Girard, co-founder of HomeExchange, said in a press release.
 
He said that the company offers a verified member-only community, with up to $1,000,000 coverage for property damage for Indian travellers to feel confident and secure throughout their journey.
 
“Unlike traditional accommodations, HomeExchange allows members to live like locals—offering a truly immersive cultural experience,” the press release added.
 

- India to be in the top five global markets in five years with a potential revenue contribution of $10 million.

 

-  HomeExchange plans to add 3,000 to 5,000 Indian homes into the global network within the first year.

 

- The company will cover property damage costs up to $1,000,000 in India.

 

- Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi NCR, as well as popular tourist destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, and Shimla, are the main locations the company will focus initially.

 

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First Published: Feb 04 2025 | 6:07 PM IST

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