Hostel

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**Benefits of Hostels:**
– Lower costs compared to hotels
– Opportunity to meet people from different places
– Find travel partners and share experiences
– Some cater to niche markets of travelers
– Different hostels offer unique experiences

**Hostel Facilities:**
– Shared lounge and kitchen
– Mixed or single-sex rooms
– Private or shared bathrooms
– Some hostels have restaurants and bars
– Offer lockers, luggage storage, and laundry facilities

**Hostel Industry Statistics:**
– Estimated worth of $6 billion annually in 2023
– Approximately 10,000 hostels in Europe
– Around 300 hostels in the United States
– Growing industry, especially appealing to youth travelers
– Can offer long-term lodging in exchange for work

**Issues Related to Hostels:**
– Less privacy compared to hotels
– Noise can affect sleep quality
– Shared kitchens with food labeling systems
– Theft of food can occur
– Some hostels may have curfews or lockouts

**Hostel History:**
– Richard Schirrmann opened the first hostel in 1912
– International Youth Hostel Federation founded in 1932
– Hostelling International now represents over 4,500 hostels
– Hostels grew rapidly post-financial crises
– Industry saw growth in cities like New York, Rome, and Miami

Hostel (Wikipedia)

A hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a dormitory sleeping 4–20 people, with shared use of a lounge and usually a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex and have private or shared bathrooms. Private rooms may also be available. Hostels are popular forms of lodging for backpackers, however very few impose age limits, so hostels are an option for travellers of all ages and styles. The benefits of hostels include lower costs and opportunities to meet people from different places, find travel partners, and share travel experiences. Some hostels, such as in India or Hostelling International, cater to a niche market of travelers. Different hostels can be known for offering different experiences. For example, one hostel might feature in-house social gatherings such as movie nights or communal dinners, another might feature local tours, one might be known for its parties, and another might have a quieter place to relax in serenity, or be located on the beach. Newer hostels focus on a more trendy design, some of which are on par with boutique hotels. Some may cater to older digital nomads, global nomads, and perpetual travelers who prefer slightly more upmarket private rooms or a quieter atmosphere. Hostels may also differentiate themselves by being environmentally friendly ecohostels. In countries where wages are lower, the cost of staying at a hostel may be similar to staying in a budget hotel.

Hostel dormitory room in Taiwan

Many hostels are locally owned and operated, and are usually cheaper than hotels. Hostels may offer long-term lodging to guests for free or at a discount in exchange for work as a receptionist or in housekeeping. There are approximately 10,000 hostels in Europe and approximately 300 hostels in the United States.[citation needed] In 2023, the hostel industry worldwide was estimated to be worth US$ 6 billion annually, and growing. The typical guest is between 16 and 34 years old, although it can vary depending on the country.

A house that has been converted into a hostel in Paihia, New Zealand

In addition to shared kitchen facilities, some hostels have a restaurant and/or bar. Washing machines and clothes dryers are often provided for an additional fee. Hostels sometimes provide luggage storage. Most hostels offer lockers for safely storing valuables. Some hostels do not provide linens. Some hostels may have a curfew and daytime lockouts.

In some cities, hostels reported a higher average income per room than hotels. For example, in Honolulu, Hawaii, upscale hotels reported average daily room rates of $173 in 2006, while hostel rooms brought in as much as $200 per night, for rooms of eight guests paying $25 each. Even during the financial crisis of 2007–2008, many hostels reported increased occupancy numbers at a time when hotel bookings were down.

A 2013 study in Australia showed that youth travel was the fastest-growing travel demographic and that the hostel industry was growing at a faster rate than the hotel industry. It showed that youth travel can lead to higher overall spending due to longer trips than traditional vacations. In New Zealand, backpackers hostels had a 13.5% share of lodging guests/nights in 2007.

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