The business in question is an online homestay booking marketplace featuring a beautifully designed, user-friendly website supported by modern technology. It offers a full suite of services crucial for homestay bookings, including reservations, messaging, payment management, and verification processes via phone and email. Additionally, hosts can print business cards with QR codes. The website is available in English and Spanish, with options to add more languages, and pricing can be viewed in USD and Euros, with automated exchange rate updates.
Operations are streamlined through a decentralized booking system. Travelers pay a booking fee for reservations and then settle the rest with hosts in cash upon arrival, aligning with traditional practices in developing markets. The marketplace's primary focus has been on acquiring hosts, particularly during an extended period spent in Cuba, a highly sought-after destination for family homestays. Thus, despite little marketing toward travelers, the platform has started to organically attract traveler interest.
Currently, the business is pre-revenue but poised for growth, intending to fill a niche left by other larger platforms like Airbnb, especially in developing regions where Airbnb tends to cater more to hotels. The platform, launched in 2024, boasts a significant listing in Cuba, with additional listings across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Future directions for the business include expanding globally or honing in on the Cuban market, which shows high demand due to relaxed U.S. travel embargo restrictions. This venture offers a unique opportunity to purchase a business with a promising prospect in the specialized area of family homestays.
Flippa’s platform is free for buyers. Here are our tips for first-time buyers:
Before making an offer
1. Look for verified sellers. Sellers should verify their email, phone, and government ID. When a seller has completed all verifications, we identify them with a checkmark like this:
2. Review financials. Financials are seller-provided inputs. Always ask for verified financials. Ask for a tax return or request access to their dashboard. if it’s an ecommerce store get a transaction report.
3. Review traffic. Sellers can grant you access to Google Analytics. Ask for read-only access to verify site traffic.
4. Schedule a call. Communication is key. The best way to find out more is to speak directly with the seller. For your protection, keep all communication within Flippa.
5. Make the offer on Flippa. We’re here to help. Flippa does not charge buyers and by making an offer on Flippa you’ll get access to our post-sales support team.
1. Agreements & Contracts.
Connect with a US-based lawyer or purchase asset-specific template legal documents via Flippa Legal.
2. Conduct Due Diligence.
You can conduct this yourself, or use our new official verification and assessment service. We provide a deep analysis, identify hidden risks, and independently assess the value of the business. Packages start at $1,000. Learn More