Global hostel demand on the rise
With the global economic downturn hitting holiday budgets, one sector that appears to be benefitting is the hostel industry.
Research released today from Hostelworld.com and Lonely Planet shows that 94% of people going on holiday this summer would consider hostel accommodation. The global study, which polled more than 5,000 people in 141 countries, found that travellers’ accommodation choice is becoming increasingly governed by cost. Nearly 90% of respondents said they would not be prepared to pay more than US$100 per night for accommodation, with the majority (54%) prepared to cut their accommodation budget.
Money saved on accommodation however, appears to be going towards extending the holiday. Half of those surveyed said they are looking to take a longer holiday than usual – 15 days or more.
“The message coming through from our survey is loud and clear – people want value for money and they are seeing hostel accommodation as a way to do that,” said Feargal Mooney, CEO of Hostelworld.com said.
“There has been a renaissance in the way hostels are perceived, driven by exciting new innovations at hostel properties worldwide and by more people looking to stretch their travel budget. This is opening up a new market to the hostel industry and one that we expect to see coming back now they have experienced the high quality of accommodation available.”