Hello all, a newbie here with a question, well a few questions actually, but I guess first of all I'd really appreciate any advice/info on where to start a hostel on the Mediterranian. (I've had just about enough of this cold, wet Celtic climate) :(
See, I know the Med's generally oversaturated tourist-wise, particularly with package-tourists, large hotel resorts and deckchair land. :rolleyes:
However I'd be looking for someplace outside the mainstream, so that'd put Spain, Portugal and the more developed parts of Greece out of the question. I guess with running a hostel I'd need a far more "backpacky" clientele, more outdoorsey. (as opposed to the lazy bloated lobsters you'd find on a deckchair in Mallocra or the drunken, drugged-up denizens of Ibiza)
Of the places I've been considering, I've kinda narrowed it down to three places, Crete, Sardinia, or Morocco. The first two I've never been to, the latter I know quite well and know a lot of ppl down there, but I'd much rather remain in the EU.
I've seen there you have, on one of the other threads, given a where's oversaturated, where isn't list, which was handy, would anyone be able to help me compile a similar list for the Mediterannian?
I kinda had in mind to do two different types of accomodation, firstly, a cheapo hostel dorm where everyone bunks down together plus a shared bathroom on one side, and a few en suites on the other which costs extra. Also a room with a TV, pool table, coin-op laundromat facilities and a few storage lockers and phones. Reception would also double as a buero de change/western union desk, a tourist info desk, as well as someplace where ppl could rent bikes, buy tickets for local tours, buy call cards, postcards, stamps, maps, souvineers etc.
Basically a low-cost, no-frills backpacker joint, which, I'm hoping, will provide a steady stream of income, at least during the tourist season.
Advice, tips, hints - all welcome.
17 years
cyprus? tunisia (not EU i know...)
there are still loads of places in Spain - avoid the costa del sol, but a touch further north - valencia, costa blanca etc- is still a nice enough part of the world to attract the non-package types you (rightly) want to attract.
also - your reception idea sounds spot on, except the change/western union. whilst that can work, that would require a lot of currency lying around - hardly ideal. theres a reason theyre only in hotels.
17 years
I had a friend who ran an internet café, WU was the bane of his existence.
It's a good way of getting people in the door but it can also be very time consuming and yeah, like you say, you need enormous amounts of money sitting there, whcih, security aside, can be tempting. :)
He was also the only who could do the transfers himself, and so, he felt, for the hassle, time and effort involved, the margins were tiny.
17 years
I've kinda narrowed it down to three places, Crete, Sardinia, or Morocco.
Of those three I've only been to Crete (my user photo is from Iraklio, the capital).
If you are ever in Crete, check out a hostel called Youth Hostel Plakias. It's in a village on the south coast with lots of hiking and snorkeling nearby. The south coast is nicer than the package touristy north coast.
I think that the Greek Islands could definitely benefit from more hostels. There aren't very many of them despite the huge number of backpackers. Naxos is one popular island that does not have a hostel anymore. The guidebooks still list a hostel there but it hasn't existed since at least 2001.
17 years
Yeah I've seen that whilst conducting my research (prices, etc)
(I wonder if I pestered them enough would they let me redesign their webpage?)
The hostels there are cheap, but the good thing about Crete is property seems quite cheap there also. There are ppl selling derilict sheds as unique "fixer uppers" for €200,000+ here - that'd fetch you a pretty sweet beach-side commercial property over there. Really ought to get something quick though, before all those insufferable middle-aged Volvo people snap up all the bargains.
17 years
The south coast of Crete is very relaxing. The hiking and snorkeling are excellent.
This is a photo of that hostel in the south of Crete -- nice natural setting:
I wonder if the southwest of Crete would be a popular spot for a hostel. There aren't any hostels there that I know of. I don't even think there is a hostel in Chania (the bigger city in the west of Crete)
I've never been to Sardinia, but it sounds like it might be a great spot also.
17 years
Of those three I've only been to Crete (my user photo is from Iraklio, the capital).
If you are ever in Crete, check out a hostel called Youth Hostel Plakias. It's in a village on the south coast with lots of hiking and snorkeling nearby. The south coast is nicer than the package touristy north coast.
I think that the Greek Islands could definitely benefit from more hostels. There aren't very many of them despite the huge number of backpackers. Naxos is one popular island that does not have a hostel anymore. The guidebooks still list a hostel there but it hasn't existed since at least 2001.
the problem with hostels in greece is that the greek government doesnt recognise them as legal entities - there are hotels and b&bs. the legal system for setting them up is a bit 'iffy'. this doesnt mean its impossible, but in terms of dealing with tourism boards and local councils/governments, its a lot more work than somewhere like germany who really have their act together.
17 years
Dubrovnik, the main Croatian islands (Brac, Korcula and Hvar) and Pisa could all do with another hostel.
Pisa and Dubrovnik are cultural destinations and should be easier to attract travellers to; but I get the impression that you prefer the island lifestyle.
17 years
Wow, that does look nice, actually, a nice mix of Venetian and Medditerranian modes and 'nare a Serbian shell casing to be seen.
Hmm, tbh I imagine my gf's parents freaking if I were to "drag her daughter" off to the Balkans but still, that looks jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Any idea what the standard of living is? What kinda ppl they are? (are they friendly? are they laid back? are they mad raving buerocrats from hell?)
And, for that matter, anyone got any idea as to when they might join the EU?
(that'd make everything a lot easier I'd imagine)
wow, this forum is great I must say!
17 years
The standard of living isn't too different to Greece; but I think the business would do better in Croatia than Greece (Greek bureaucracy makes it difficult to run a hostel there).
I think they would join the EU around 2010-2012, but that shouldn't be a big issue since being part of the EU can just add more bureaucracy.
Your best bet is to spend a week or two there to get a feel for the place and decide if it is right for you.
Montenegro is also worth a look. It has only been an independent nation for one year but it has a nice coastline and could develop into a popular destination (when it was run by Serbia it was the obstacle that prevented overland travel along the eastern Adriatic coast between Italy and Greece). Also an independent Montenegro could help tourism in Albania, although Albania's economy has been free for 17 years and no tourism industry to speak of has developed in this time.
17 years
Your best bet is to spend a week or two there to get a feel for the place and decide if it is right for you.
Not a bad idea that you know, we might just do that! :)
A quick google image search pretty much sold me on it tbh. Might sound like a silly question but does it get cold in the winter?
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