HI-USA is encouraging community service with their Great Hostel Give Back program.
Hostelling International USA offers groups free lodging in exchange for community service
This January and February, groups of 10 or more can stay for free at a participating Hostelling International USA (HI-USA) hostel for each day they volunteer in the community at least two hours. This program, better known as the Great Hostel Give Back, enabled nearly 250 individuals to perform more than 2,200 hours of community service last year alone.
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With just a two-hour minimum requirement for volunteering per day, groups are also able to enjoy the destinations they are visiting, with many hostels offering free or low cost tours and activities for guests. This offer is only available in January and February for a maximum of five free nights per group, but additional overnights may be purchased at the prevailing rates.
This is the fourth year for this program.
How does it benefit the hostel to offer free stays in low season?
Would you consider a program like this for your hostel?
11 years
many hostels already do this for a max of 10% of their beds for people working on non paid projects on a year round basis this looks like a marketing ploy by HI hostels head office.We always keep one spot for non paying guests up to 3 days before that day. Only then is booked. Many rural hostels work with nonprofits groups all the time and this is done expecting nothing back in return. :steve:
11 years
Really? I haven't heard of many hostels holding back free beds like that, except occasionally for couchsurfers. As long as those hostels can cover all of their costs that's great! Is this just a rural hostel thing, or do you know of city hostels doing it too?
It makes me think back to my days in a hotel sales department when I repeatedly heard my Director telling folks on the phone, "I understand that you're running a non-profit organization, but this is a FOR PROFIT hotel."
11 years
i think it is a small rural hostel thing most limit it to 2 or 3 nights max person. in a rural area everybody knows everybody. Our fixed costs are much lower than a city hostel.We do not give a free bed to couchsufers unless they give us 3 hours of free help per day (as they are not the right mix for us) and only after checking references
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