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Live like a local

The popularity for "live-like-a local" travel experiences is growing with more diverse accommodation options for Australian travellers.

Instead of choosing a hotel, resort or backpacker hostel, travellers can now live like a local, with a local.

Global online accommodation provider Wimdu has received a $90 million investment from venture capitalist companies Rocket Internet and Kinnevik for growth and maintenance of their website, www.wimdu.com.au, which offers accommodation choices for travellers who want to break free of the well worn tourist lodgings.

The Wimdu website is a social marketplace where hosts can post a room, apartment, house or other lodgings for travellers as an alternative to the standard accommodation choices, offering a local perspective on living in a foreign destination.

Wimdu Australia CEO Gregory Green said the market for this accommodation choice was continuing to grow.

"The company has grown quickly to expand its global reach and outpace competition. Over 400 properties in Australia are just one example," he said.

The Wimdu booking platform features over 10,000 host rooms in over 150 cities and is available in 11 languages throughout Australasia, Europe and the Americas.

The platform also provides destination information such as travel tips and virtual guided tours.