Supporting local communities is at the heart of everything we do at SocialStay. We understand the concerns that come with foreign businesses entering close-knit towns—especially in destinations that have seen the effects of rapid, outsider-driven development. Our mission isn’t to change the character of a place or insert ourselves at the expense of local traditions and businesses. Instead, we’re here to empower hostels and the communities they serve, ensuring that the true spirit of each destination is preserved and celebrated.
We understand the real impacts that multinational companies can have on local economies and cultures. Companies like Airbnb have been shown to influence housing markets and rent prices in ways that don’t always benefit local residents (read more about the Airbnb effect on housing and rent). More broadly, the impact of multinational companies on host countries can be complex, with both positive and negative consequences. We take these lessons seriously in how we build and operate SocialStay.
How SocialStay is Supporting Local Communities
Transparent Pricing: No Commissions, No Hidden Costs for Hostels or Tour Operators
One of the core ways we are supporting local communities is through our pricing model. Hostels pay a simple, fixed monthly fee for SocialStay’s platform, and we never take commissions from tour operators or hostels. This means hostels and local tour operators have complete freedom to set their own prices without ever being penalized by commission fees. All revenue goes directly to the local guides and businesses, who manage their own pricing and payments.
To keep SocialStay running and continually improve our service, we add a small booking fee to guest reservations made through our platform. This fee comes from the guest directly, ensuring that our partners retain full control over their earnings and can charge what works best for them.
Flexibility for Hostels to Highlight Local Partners
SocialStay was built to give hostels more flexibility—not less. Unlike large corporate platforms that dictate which tours are featured (and often favor global operators), our software allows hostel staff to spotlight the local businesses and guides they trust and value most. Whether it’s a family-run coffee tour, a neighborhood art walk, or a trusted taxi driver, hostels decide who gets featured. We want to help hostels strengthen their own networks, not replace them.
Empowering Local Networks—Not Just Selling Tours
Our mission goes far beyond “selling tours.” We’re here to make hostel operations easier, help staff save time, and create more meaningful connections between guests and their surroundings. By streamlining event management and guest engagement, we enable hostels to focus on what they do best: building vibrant, authentic communities.
Our Commitment to Staying Local
As SocialStay grows, our promise is to keep our operations rooted in the places we serve. When we expand into new regions, we will only hire local team members to manage operations in those areas. Locals know their communities best, and we believe they should lead the way in shaping guest experiences and supporting the businesses that make each destination unique.
A Message from Our Founders
Our values and experiences set us apart from the typical foreign business story. We’ve seen firsthand the effects that large multinational companies can have on local communities—not always for the better. At SocialStay, we’re committed to being part of the solution.
April, our CTO, has intentionally chosen not to work for major corporations like Amazon due to their impact on local economies. Instead, she has dedicated her career to smaller startups—including one focused on reducing food waste—because she believes in positive, grassroots change. Ashley, our Chief Experience Officer, is a seasoned professional who has exclusively worked with small, family-run businesses, bringing deep expertise in event management and planning. Her focus is on helping hostels build strong activities programs and meaningful connections from day one.
We’re not here as outsiders looking for a quick win. We have both committed ourselves to long-term travel and to supporting local communities in a way that is thoughtful, transparent, and genuinely beneficial. Our goal with SocialStay is to help hostels and local businesses thrive, building something lasting and positive together.
If you have questions, concerns, or ideas for how we can serve your community better, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to work with you.
— April (CTO & Co-Founder) and Ashley (CXO & Co-Founder), SocialStay
If you’d like to learn more about how SocialStay can support your hostel and your community, we invite you to contact us or try our free demo.