HomeExchange.com, the leading home exchange service that offers a unique, affordable, safe and authentic way to travel, today announced that the company has experienced an increase of 13% in summer travel for 2013 as compared to 2012, and is on path for 16% year-end annual growth.

HomeExchange.com predicts that 75,000 home exchanges will be completed by its Members by the end of 2013. In 2012, HomeExchange.com Members completed 70,000. To date, over 400,000 home exchanges have been achieved worldwide. The continuing trend of local weekend exchanges and extended travel among Members - between two weeks to one month – has contributed to HomeExchange.com's growth.  According to data release by The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International tourist arrivals grew by 5% during the first half of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.

"We are thrilled to see double digit summer travel growth among our Members and believe that this momentum will continue throughout the rest of the year and well into 2014 as more people seek safe and reliable ways to travel more affordably," saysEd Kushins, founder and president, HomeExchange.com. "HomeExchange.com Members are able to spend more money on local goods and attractions and extend the length of their vacations by eliminated fees for accommodations, enabling them to travel more and for longer periods of time."

HomeExchangers: smart travellers stay longer and save money
An independent International survey of 47,000 HomeExchange.com travelers conducted by Italy's University of Bergamo revealed that 42.1% of HomeExchange.com Members participated in home exchanges that lasted 14 – 30 days and an additional 3.9% staying for more than a month. Additionally, more people home exchanged during the summer of 2013 than the previous summer, with 13% more households on the road.  

Global exchanges profit local economies
Additional findings showcase the positive impact on local economies during global home exchanges. 66% of HomeExchange.com Members spent more than $1000 per person per vacation on local goods and attractions.

Top Destinations
Summer 2013 travel also highlighted the growing popularity of emerging destinations including Brazil, New Zealand, Argentinaand Mexico. However, the most popular destinations include the United States of America, France, Spain, Italy, Canada, TheUnited Kingdom, The Netherlands, Denmark, Australia and Germany. Paris once again ranked among the most visited city during the summer of 2013; however, New York and London replaced Rome and Madrid this year as the second and third most traveled to city.