Hostel demand on the rise

While many industry continue to suffer from the global financial crisis, the hostel accommodation sector is bucking the trend. According to new research from Hostelworld.com and Lonely Planet, 94% of people going on holiday this summer would consider hostel accommodation. Over 80% of those surveyed also named Hostelworld.com as the most trusted hostel booking web site. The global study, which questioned over 5,000 people in 141 countries, found that the accommodation of choice for today’s traveller is governed by cost. Of those questioned, nearly 90% would not be prepared to pay more than US$100 per night for accommodation, with the majority (54%) prepared to cut their accommodation budget to have their holiday of choice. The result is a booming trade for the global hostel industry with holiday makers reaping the benefit by making their trip go further. Half of those surveyed said they are looking to take a longer holiday than usual – 15 days or more. Feargal Mooney, CEO from Hostelworld.com said; “We are extremely honoured to be selected as the most trusted hostel booking website. And 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. 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.” Go to http://www.hostelworld.com or visit http://www.lonelyplanet.com for additional information.