Hostelbookers.com Launching a New Website

Hostelbookers decide to close new sign up (add of new hostels) to same destination (most competitive) to keep a a good number of reservations for the hostel already registred.

That's a bit silly regarding some hotels were faster to register, meanwhile some hostels are unable to sign-up now. It would be nice if they remove some properties (especially the bad ones) and allow the chance to sign up for some better places. Even Hostelworld could remove those properties who constantly provide bad reviews, so HW could keep up a good quality and it would ensure another way for quality improvements. IMHO.

I thought Hostelworld used to drop hostels that couldn't keep their ratings up, but I've seen many hostels in the 50s% still selling beds.

HW doesn't do it anymore. The more properties they have, the more revenue they can make. We complained few times as IMHO many bad hostels can ruin the reputation of the City as well, but all answer we've got was that, it is the responsibility of the one who books should read the reviews as well and it is their decision if they book there and they have the right to make a review about the experience.

Who books these hostels? :D

Anyone who can't find any availabilities in a decent hostel, especially during summer. We have a complete madhouse rush in August, when most festivities are on.
On the other hand, these hostels feel the very first decrease of guests at the end of season, so they'll be the first to lower their prices and starting the avalanche of price wars.

IMHO Hostelbookers' decision is better, as a smaller selection helps to decide and should keep up a quality of hostels, but it doesn't help the promotion of newer, sometimes even better places to sell their beds on HB so they lose on this part of the deal.