It’s a dream for many people to travel to amazing places without spending a ton of money – especially those who are on a budget. It’s even more of a dream to think that you could make money on the side while you’re exploring the world. With Wimdu, you can make those dreams come true as you beef up your bank account while you’re on the road. Wimdu is a home and apartment sharing site, offering accommodations around the world. Much like rivals Airbnb and HomeAway, Wimdu’s platform allows owners to rent out their homes. Meanwhile, travelers can book rooms at a low cost, making it a financially-winning proposition for both traveler and host.
A Great Room at a Great Price
Founded in Berlin in 2011, Wimdu offers more than 350,000 properties for rent, in more than 150 countries. It’s a great site to check out if you’re looking to stay in a top-notch location for a relatively inexpensive price, while keeping your budget in check. It’s also a big money saver if you need to book multiple rooms.
“Families and groups particularly benefit from Wimdu. They do not have to book several hotel rooms anymore, but can share accommodations, feel at home and spend considerably less money,” said Wimdu’s director of legal and people, Péter Vida. Those deals include big savings in some of the world’s most expensive cities, including Paris, London, Hong Kong and New York, as well as resort destinations like Bali and Florida. Wimdu serves locations on six continents, but is especially focused on its home market, Europe. “Germany, France, Italy and Spain are our top travel destinations. Scandinavia and Croatia are becoming more and more popular, too,” said Vida.
Cash-in on Your Home
There are two sides of the Wimdu coin. Not only is it a great tool to find a fantastic vacation rental, the website also provides a way for homeowners to make a little extra money by renting out their home to guests. Vida said, “Renting out via Wimdu is a prime example of sustainable economic activity. The apartment is used optimally because unused extra space or, in case of absence, even the entire apartment is better utilized.”
Wimdu also allows hosts to price rentals and guests to view rentals in their local currency, allowing for an accurate evaluation of just how much a rental will cost each night. And travelers who use Wimdu can travel confidently with peace of mind when it comes to safety, security and currency risks. “Our guests are not subject to any currency fluctuation risks. These are covered by us,” said Vida.
A Changing Landscape
In early 2017, Wimdu was acquired by Novasol, part of Wyndham Vacation Rentals. According to Vida, the acquisition is allowing Wimdu to expand further and help customers save and make even more money. “Wimdu is thrilled to be a part of the Wyndham family. We significantly benefit from their many decades of experience and market expertise. They help us tap into new markets.”
Additionally, Vida said Wimdu’s quality of listings is top-notch, allowing the company to differentiate itself from others in the home rental space. “We believe that this market thrives on competition. It is completely normal that there are several providers.”
Everybody Benefits
So the next time you’re thinking of booking a trip, check out Wimdu. And if you’re looking to make extra money while you’re away, think about listing your home for rental. Vida calls it a win-win. “You gain a lot of life experience and can use the earnings to invest in your apartment. This is a useful cycle from which everybody can benefit.”