The hospitality in the social network Couchsurfing: Crossing the virtual threshold in Jaguarão, in the extreme south of Brazil

Abstract This article addresses a social practice mediated by a virtual social network of travelers called Couchsurfing. Translated as "sofa surfing", this practice is known for the free hosting offer, worldwide, enabling online and offline interaction between registered individuals, as well as promoting the exchange of hospitality, in which host becomes a guest in other travel situations and vice versa. In this research, the hosts and guests of the municipality of Jaguarão, located in the extreme south of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, were investigated. The objectives of the article are to identify and discuss the main interests and motivations for the network and Couchsurfing trips among Jaguarian hosts and guests, as well as to understand the system of exchange between guests and hosts inspired by the studies of hospitality based on the Theory of Gift , by Marcel Mauss. The research had a qualitative approach and approached the etnographic method. The methodological course included a bibliographical study and a cyberspace field research, with semi-structured interviews and observations. The exchanges take place online and offline, in different prisms. The research presents new challenges for tourism, leisure and hospitality studies in the context of emerging social practices, such as Couchsurfing.

摘要 本文探讨了由旅行者虚拟社交网络——沙发客互助平台（Couchsurfing）所介导的社会实践。该平台中文译名为“沙发冲浪”，其以全球范围内的免费留宿服务为核心特色，可为注册用户搭建线上与线下的互动渠道，同时推动好客情谊的互惠循环：即东道主在其他旅行场景中可转为宾客，宾客亦可在后续成为东道主，反之亦然。
本研究以巴西南里奥格兰德州（RS）最南部的雅瓜里昂市的沙发客平台东道主与宾客为研究样本。本文的研究目标包括：识别并探讨雅瓜里昂市的东道主与宾客使用该平台及参与沙发客旅行的核心兴趣与动机；同时基于马塞尔·莫斯（Marcel Mauss）礼物理论框架下的好客研究，剖析东道主与宾客间的互惠交换体系。
本研究采用质性研究范式，以民族志研究法为核心路径。研究方法涵盖文献研究与网络空间田野调查，并辅以半结构化访谈与实地观察。这类交换活动兼具线上与线下双重场景，涉及多元研究维度。针对沙发客互助旅行这类新兴社会实践，本研究为旅游、休闲及好客研究领域带来了全新的研究挑战与命题。