Tourism employs 10% of the world and accounts for 10% of global GDP.

In 2023, tourism generated $10 trillion, making it the 10th biggest industry by revenue.

These numbers are impressive… until how the ~$10 trillion is distributed – and to whom it is distributed to – is calculated.

In some countries,

up to 95%

of tourism revenue is captured by transnational corporations, foreign intermediaries, and imported goods.

If a Canadian couple spends $10,000 on their honeymoon in Mexico, but...

...book their honeymoon with a British travel agency, fly an American-flagged airline, and stay in a French-owned all-inclusive resort led by foreign managers who import most goods from abroad...

...as little as 5%, or $500, circulates to local Mexican employees and their communities.

In 2018, tourism generated ~$3.3 billion in the Bahamas.

Tourism employed ~50% of the workforce and accounted for ~40% of GDP.

However, Bahamian people and businesses only earned ~$700 million.

~$2.6 billion was captured by foreign-owned businesses, operators, and agents.

Our Bedrock of Truth

When we maximize the positive impact of tourism locally in the places we visit, we alter the way the world works, plays, travels, and stays together.

We're starting with the $600 billion hospitality industry.

Our Multipliers of Impact

Independent hosts are the backbone of tourism, the anchors of local economies, and the stewards of local cultures.

Foreign-owned chains recirculate less than:

15%

of their revenue back into local communities.

Independent hosts recirculate over:

3x more

of their revenue back into local communities.

The Problem

Last year, the global hospitality industry paid over $60 billion in markups and commissions to OTAs such as Airbnb, Booking, and Expedia.

The vast majority was paid by independent hosts.

OTAs generate 20-25% of all bookings for chains, but...

75-80%

of all bookings for independent hosts.

OTAs charge 10-15% in commissions to chains, but...

15-35%

in commissions to independent hosts.

We believe there's a better way.

Our Solution

StayAltered is a community-powered platform that makes it easy to find and rewarding to book stays with independent hosts of locally-managed and professionally-operated accommodations.

1. Join for free.

Become an Altered Guest for free.

2. Find & book.

Get exclusive rates with independent hosts.

3. Earn & share.

Earn $ALT Rewards to get more, give back, and pay it forward.

Our pillars unite us together, protect what makes us each unique, and align us all on our shared journey to alter hospitality for good.

When we maximize the positive impact of the $1 trillion hospitality industry locally in the places we visit...

...we unlock the opportunity for everyone to experience the joy, value, and meaning of caring for each other and all life on earth.

When we maximize the positive impact of the $1 trillion hospitality industry locally in the places we visit...

...we unlock the opportunity for everyone to experience the joy, value, and meaning of caring for each other and all life on earth.

Our Community

Altered Guests

Get up to 50% off bookings, earn $ALT Rewards & so much more.

Altered Hosts

Better reach better guests & earn better bookings that give more.

Altered Neighbors

Nonprofits, impact groups, and grassroots organizations.​

Our Company

Partners

Vision-aligned investors, companies, and tourism boards.​

Contributors

People who help our community grow its value & impact.

Altered Guests

Get up to 50% off bookings, earn $ALT Rewards & so much more.

Altered Hosts

Better reach better guests & earn better bookings that give more.

Join over 47 Altered Hosts with 56 places to StayAltered in 19 countries.

Villa Bonobo logo, Puerto Escondido Mexico

Our story began when we discovered the power of independent hosts to uplift local communities as well as the extraordinary challenges independent hosts face.