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Being a Hostelmanager without travelling the world

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TanjaBahr started this discussion 13 years 11 months ago

i am now a hostelmanager for 4 years and after the hostel unconference i realised that i am a bit different compared to you guys. why? because i never travelled that much as you are did or still doing. i don't want to give a speech now why i did not and why its still a bit difficult for me to travel often. but after reading threads about job offers i am a bit puzzled. i cannot offer big tales about travels and journeys and i don't have a passport too (for my few travels i did not need it)...does this disqualify from being a good hostelmanager? is this essential.:confused: don't get me wrong i am not fishing for compliments and the moon is not full at the moment to start the howl but these words made me think.

would love to hear your opinion...:)

p.s. working now for almost 20 years in hospitality and attendance.. and believe me.. i still love it.:D

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Maximisses

13 years

It's not essential but it certainly helps. Traveling enables you to have more empathy in what others may need in terms of travel and accommodation (having seen bad & good hostels) It also helps you bond with your customers quickly because you have travel in common.

However on the other hand, I'm sure that there have been a lot of former backpackers who have opened up a hostel, but have failed due to no customer service experience and business/management know how. No point in having travel experience if you can't make a profit on your business or you can't stand interacting with your customers.

I think what is most important is business/management skills and customer service skills (communication skills, the ability to make people feel welcomed, being open with different cultures and beliefs) and then perhaps travel experience.

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Scotch Argus

13 years

I don't think you need to be well travelled at all. Some of the best managers/ owners I've met are not at all well travelled. People don't necessarily want to talk about their world travels, but more about what they are doing in the area they are in. I have been to hostels where they are staffed by very well travelled ozzie backpackers who are there for a short time and seem to know very little about the local area. What the majority of guests want in my opinion is good local knowledge, and good customer service in general. As long as you offer this I don't think it matters if you've even left your own country.

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Rucksack Brian

13 years

As far as I’m concerned, backpackers are the greatest people on Earth because of the way they approach the world around them. They’re curious, adventurous, and willing (or even eager) to slip out of their comfort zone. What a wonderful approach to life!

A great hostel manager is someone who shares some of these qualities and can relate to the guests. Travel experience is definitely a plus, but it’s not the defining characteristic of a good manager. You may not have a checklist of countries that you’ve visited, but I’m sure you have just as many stories to tell and just as many life lessons to share. The important thing is the ability to build that connection. Now add to that 20 years of hospitality, customer service, and management experience, (plus the fact that you *enjoy* all of those things) and I’d say you’re resume is just as strong as the guy who has looked under every rock on the planet.

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luizaqueroga

13 years

travel and know the world is good and help people at any job! first because it opens your mind, second because you learn a lot from your travels.
So if you have a chance to travel: do it!
If you do not, because of money, or maybe you have someone to take care, or health problems that keep you near to your doctor, etc. just use google!
You can travel the world with google! read about travel articles, and to know were are the places, use google street view to see beautiful cities. I do it my self to decide which destination will be my next.
You can get to know the world better then anyone, by internet, and internet will open your mind and make of you a world traveler with zero cost!

travel agent in Vietnam that never traveled, can sell a package to London to a client, without problems, but if he knows the destination and see who is the city, would for sure help not only to convince them to buy it, but also to talk to them since he would look much more confident and convincing. Did u get my point?!

thx,
lu

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flat5263

12 years

if you're making money, you're not a bad manager.

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