What do you think major trends will be for hostels in 2010?
Here are some ideas:
- Hostel networks and/or networking will develop further (e.g., formal and informal)
- Mobile devices: There will be an increase in the number of smart phones (particularly Google Android), GPS apps and Augmented Reality apps. GPS apps will be used for navigation and accommodation providers will be able to insert themselves in local search. The ability to make phone calls over wifi will become more widespread in 2010 and travelers will take more smartphones overseas. Hostels may not take advantage of this right away, but there will be more mobile device apps that include hostel information in them.
- Social media and blogging: There will be more interaction between hostels and travel bloggers. Some of this is happening on Twitter already as travelers' blogs become high-traffic sources of information and hostel companies become interested. Social media is online word of mouth marketing between travelers and public conversations between hostel companies and travelers.
- More websites/apps will appear that have no booking fee or commission
- There will be an increase in mainstream media coverage of hostels, including television
- Hostels will continue to split into niches to distinguish themselves and attract the right kinds of guests for what they offer
- Hostel booking technology will develop further - for example, booking APIs
- A continuing increase in the number of hostels in the US
Where do you think hostels and backpacker travel are going in 2010?
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