In a poll released this week by IgoUgo.com, one of the most popular travel communities in the world, 57 percent of respondents said they would consider staying with family or friends on vacation, and 55 percent said in the past, they have vacationed somewhere solely because they had family or friends who could provide free accommodations.

But the poll also revealed that not all vacationing houseguests are the same. While the majority of houseguests (75 percent) say they enjoy spending time with their hosts, 25 percent appear to be motivated primarily by convenience and savings – they don ’t include the enjoyment of their hosts ’ company in a list of top reasons for staying with them at all.

The editors of IgoUgo have coined the term “travel mooch ” to describe those 25 percent of dreaded houseguests who tend to push the limits of couch-surfing etiquette. If you ’ve ever hosted vacationing friends, you ’ve probably known one; if you ’ve ever stayed with friends or family on vacation, you may be one.

“The summer travel season is here, and many of us will be staying with family or friends at some point in the coming months, ” said Cameron Siewert, content and community manager at IgoUgo.com. “The trick is to be a welcomed guest and not an inconsiderate mooch – after all, the ultimate goal is to get invited back! ”

Other characteristics of a true travel mooch:

• 65 percent are first and foremost motivated by saving money.
• They ’re unable to afford the trip otherwise: 39 percent cited this as a motivation.
• They stick around awhile: 25 percent stay for more than a week.
• They ’re not traveling alone: 83 percent bring at least one guest
• Many stay with friends they ’re meeting for the first time: 23 percent of poll respondents said they have or would.
• Some stay with friends they meet on the Internet: 15 percent of poll respondents said they have or would.

The good news about travel mooches, according to the poll, is that they expect fewer basic hospitalities like linens, groceries and airport transportation; the bad news is that they ’re also less likely to offer such hospitalities to their own guests. And significantly fewer mooches enjoy having vacationing guests in their own homes; 8 percent don ’t even allow guests to stay.

Besides saving money, what motivates a travel mooch to stay in touch with friends in great destinations? According to the poll, they do value the friendships they cultivate in the process, but they ’re significantly more likely than guests to have practical – or even ulterior – motives. Access to local knowledge (43 percent) and having a place to stay (32 percent) are the main reasons given.

“There ’s something to be said for staying with a local on your vacation – not only will you save money, but you ’ll likely get the inside scoop on the coolest things to do and see, ” said Siewert. “But your host should feel that you value spending time with them – not that you ’re simply taking advantage of a free place to crash. ”