Servas Hosts

The hospitality offered by the "open doors" is the cornerstone of SERVAS. SERVAS hosts offer hospitality to approved travellers of every race, creed and nationality. A host should provide a bed for two nights (or longer, but only at the host's invitation) and usually invite the traveller to share in the evening meal.

The host is not expected to provide transport for the traveller, although some may want to show the traveller places of interest. If the traveller does not present the Letter of Introduction on arrival, the host should ask to see it to make sure it is up to date. The host should keep a record of travellers' names and addresses in a Visitor Book.

The host should explain the 'rules of the house' to the traveller.

A traveller should ask before using a host's phone and should pay for all calls.

A host should set aside some time to talk with a traveller. If it is not convenient for a host to have a traveller, the host should feel free to say 'no'. In such a case it may be possible to suggest the names of alternative hosts. Hosts should try to answer letters from travellers asking to stay, especially those that enclose an International Reply Coupon.

Hosts who are not able to provide overnight accommodation may wish to join as Day Hosts. A Day Host will find a convenient time to meet the traveller, may provide information or a guided tour, or a work-place visit or a meal, or just find time for a chat together.

To Become a Servas Host or Day Host

To become a Servas Host or Day Host, please contact a Servas coordinator in your country (see our list of coordinators) or, if none is listed, please get in touch with the help desk.

You will receive a reply including a Host Registration Form for you to complete. You will also be invited to meet with a SERVAS host in your area for an 'orientation' meeting. This is the chance for you to learn more of the history of SERVAS and the way it works at both National and local levels. In time your name will appear in your country's Host List which is published each year. Hosts normally re-register each year and this is the chance for fresh information in the Host List, such as addresses and phone numbers. Some countries charge a special annual subscription for members of SERVAS. SERVAS hosts receive copies of the SERVAS International News, local Newsletters (if published) and notices of meetings (if these are held).

		SERVAS WEB v. 0.60, Sep 2005
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