A critical turning point came around 2015‑2017, when researchers such as Elliott & Schroeder (2016) and Zhang et al. (2018) highlighted a growing “ experience‑seeking ” segment of travelers who prioritized social interaction over price alone. Simultaneously, the discourse began to emphasize social capital and trust networks as core assets.
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Because guests are encouraged to interact with local businesses and contribute to community funds, the economic leakage typical of large hotel chains—where a majority of revenue exits the local economy— is reduced. A 2022 UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) briefing highlighted that community‑based lodging models can generate up to 3.5× the multiplier effect of conventional tourism accommodations. together bnb
Traditional platforms rely on a centralised reputation system (stars, reviews). Together BnB experiments with decentralised or contextual trust mechanisms: A critical turning point came around 2015‑2017, when