Go Around Europe network under new management

The Go Around Europe hostel network will soon be operated under a new management team.

Founders Mark and Merit will pass the torch on 01 July 2015 to fellow Dutch company Hosteldeals, who will continue to operate the network and take it forward.

Members of the network recently received this email announcing the changeover:

Go Around Europe in new hands

We have to share some big news with you...we have decided to part ways with the activities of Go Around Europe. It has been a difficult decision but it's based on personal reasons and we think it's better this way.

We've managed to attract Hosteldeals, an energetic young, hostel and travel minded Dutch company that provides a similar product as we do. They will acquire and continue all activities of Go Around Europe, from the 1st of July 2015. As the new owners Ardjette and her team will progress Go Around Europe to the next level.

We agreed with Hosteldeals that you can enjoy the same benefits. So, this means that in exchange for the 10% discount to travellers with a Go Around Europe card and a direct booking, the network remains free and your hostel will stay promoted on the website, App and social media of Go Around Europe. In addition Hosteldeals will put forward proposals to include you into their network and platforms soon.

By the end of June we'll send you all the information you need to get in contact with Ardjette and the Hosteldeals team.

All the best,

Mark and Merit

Hosteldeals already offer a discount card, but their focus is generally on things like museums and activities. There were already discussions about the two organizations working together, and a merger made even more sense. Given the similar backgrounds of both operations, Hosteldeals seem like a very appropriate team to take over management of the Go Around Europe network.

At the Go Around Europe meeting in Dublin earlier this year a few big projects were on the horizon. They were about to launch a travel app, and they were in discussions with STA Travel and Eurail about possible partnerships. Here is where those projects stand today:

• The application has been completed, and it is available for free on android and iOS.
• The partnership option with STA dissolved because STA did not want to encourage travelers to book directly with the hostels.
• Eurail have said that they are still interested in a partnership in which they would sell the Go Around Europe cards to their customers along with rail passes, but a finalized agreement has not been reached at this time. This deal still has the potential to be very beneficial for hostels in the network.

If anyone would like more information about the Go Around Europe network, you can contact them directly with your questions at: info @ goaroundeurope . com