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Hostel in Florida?

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mr.quick started this discussion 14 years 5 months ago

Hey,

I'm contemplating opening a hostel in Florida. I have some locations in mind, but this will obviously be my first business venture. Do backpackers even come through Florida? My first choice of cities would be Tampa, Fl. Anyone think this is feasible??

Thanks :)
Carlo

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Josh Hostels

14 years

Tampa would be a great place for a hostel.

Here's a rundown of Florida hostels:

Miami has at least 7 hostels
Ft Lauderdale has a few -- some are crew houses, though the concept is similar
Hollywood, Florida has at least one
St Augustine has 2
Tampa has 1
Key West used to have a hostel, but I think it closed.

Make connections with the hostels in the other nearby cities. Some travelers will likely be headed between those cities above to places like Orlando, New Orleans, and Atlanta so you could target some of those travelers.

Tampa and St Petersburg seemed to have a lot of students and that is good. I would check the bus train and flight routes between all those cities to see how easy transportation is. See also:
http://www.hostelmanagement.com/forums/amtrak-train-greyhound-bus-route-maps-usa.html

I've attached small portions of the bus and train route maps to give an idea of where visitors might come from by public transportation.

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CAPhouse

14 years

Just think fun beach in Florida. That's the only reason I would go.

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domenica

14 years

I do not think Tampa would be the best city for a hostel. I currently work in a bar an hour south of Tampa (in my hometown) and west coast Florida is EXTREMELY seasonal. Also, most of the tourists are in the 50+ age range. The east coast caters more to a younger crowd.

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gordo

14 years

I've been looking at Panama City, FL - big beach, gets loads of students, half way to New Orleans - of course, when i say 'looking' i mean from a very great distance.

But then I read fark.com and they have a 'florida' tag... so i cant help but think the state tends to produce some very odd characters...
:P

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Josh Hostels

14 years

I do not think Tampa would be the best city for a hostel. I currently work in a bar an hour south of Tampa (in my hometown) and west coast Florida is EXTREMELY seasonal. Also, most of the tourists are in the 50+ age range. The east coast caters more to a younger crowd.

Even with the college students? I've only been there for a few days once, but I thought that maybe the large number of students would bring many people in and out of the area.

But then I read fark.com and they have a 'florida' tag...

Very interesting :)

If you're looking in Florida, I think Key West doesn't have a hostel anymore. Key West isn't my favorite place, but it's warm and there are many tourists.

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domenica

14 years

I've been looking at Panama City, FL

I think that would be much better. There's also a fairly large military base there and spring break is HUGE

But then I read fark.com and they have a 'florida' tag... so i cant help but think the state tends to produce some very odd characters

hahaha... I think they haven't forgiven us for not being able to count

Even with the college students? I've only been there for a few days once, but I thought that maybe the large number of students would bring many people in and out of the area.

To some extent it might, but any business in this area struggles for half the year and then flourishes for the other half. While a business is in season here, most of its income comes from the 50+ tourist population who are typically less likely to stay in a hostel.

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