ACCOMMODATION SWAP HISTORY

Accommodation Swap originated in 2003 by Mike Kieser who, with his late wife Molly and three children, were avid caravaners. Once the kids had grown up and left home the caravan became difficult to manage and was eventually sold. This created a dilemma — holidays had been affordable, but hotels and B&Bs were expensive.

Mike and Molly also ran a small self-catering unit. During a family discussion, a simple but powerful idea emerged: what if establishments could swap accommodation free of charge? That moment gave birth to Accommodation Swap.

Mike searched online and discovered there was no similar platform anywhere in the world dedicated solely to the hospitality industry. The excitement was immense — a true world-first.

With Brad (their eldest son and a qualified computer scientist) and Mike’s own technical background, development began. After months of brainstorming, the platform launched on 1 March 2003.

The first member joined on 13 March 2003, followed soon after by others who remain loyal members to this day. Growth was slow in the early years, but those early supporters believed in the vision.

For several years, Accommodation Swap ran at a financial loss. Mike continued investing time, effort, and personal funds with no return — driven by belief in the long-term value.

As membership grew, the manual system became unsustainable. Automation followed, and today Accommodation Swap operates with a fully automated, robust platform.

A core principle has always been affordability. Membership fees are deliberately kept low — typically less than the cost of one night’s accommodation — ensuring members recover costs quickly.

Accommodation Swap continues to thrive, supported by an engaged membership and an active Facebook community. Mike and the team remain passionate about serving the hospitality industry well into the future.