Billeting....
Just an idea, as the expense of dancesport is often very high, when travelling interstate and overseas i feel that sometimes it would be helpful if accomodation was a little cheaper. And i would just like to hear other peoples views on Billeting Interstate and International dancers for a short period of time... I know that i would love to help provide accomodation to dancers from wa, nsw or vic if they were to come to say megastars or the QLD Open. Just an idea...

hmm so no-one else finds travelling interstate and overseas highly expensive incluing accomodation?!?

Billetting
Hi Manfredi For the West Aussies - by far the biggest financial outlay is airfares. Accommodation and ground transport are indeed big expenses too. Often the WA couples have two extra days of accommodation due to flight schedules/arrival times. Your idea is a good one and you should continue to promote the concept and advertise your willingness to host couples - too much post Aussies celebrations/commiserations and/or Xmas cheer at the moment to appreciate your thoughtfulness. Although we have offered to host Masters interstate couples when they travel to WA, no-one has yet taken us up on our offer. Usually, the interstate couples combine their trip with a short holiday or visits to family and/or friends and therefore make alternative arangements. Apart from Aussies in December, some people now find the last minute deals on the web are very attractive; we have used these websites for accommodation in Melbourne and Hobart for various events. For the younger couples, travelling with a parent, perhaps billeting is an ideal way to go. After the event, families can then make their own arrangements for the rest of their stay. I'm sure other forum members will have more to add in the near future. Back to the Xmas cheer. :lol:

I do agree that accommodation costs are a big issue with interstate and overseas travel, especially for the most of the adult/masters couples that have to pay their own way which can be made harder with having to take so much time off work. My partner and I are lucky with the Canberra competition due to one of my close friends owning a house over there so we stay with her and her husband. The problem I find with billeting is staying at a complete strangers' home. The feeling of imposing, having to get to know each other in an uncomfortable way and having personal items easily obtainable in a not entirely secure environment. All this as well as nerves for the comp and trying to be polite, even if you end up having a personality clash, to me, is not really an ideal situation. I competely understand if others disagree and maybe my opinion is a little over-the-top but I am an extremely private person (and only one person) and unless I am feeling completely safe, I would not feel comfortable.

Billeting may not be for everyone but it could well help out some people/families. Feel free to use this site to advertise your willingness to host or requirement for billeting. Please don't leave any personal details here - use pm or email for that.