11 years
We need to tell all of customers what hostel world charges and why on future we prefer that they not use them as we do not make that much in this industry. I am having a big poster made for our hostel. :steve:
International Drop Hostel World Day. Down with the giant.
Hostel Reviews, Booking Engines, and Directories
By now most of you know that Hostel World is raising their commission rates from 10 to 12%.
At Hostel Times we are made up of hostel owners both former and current along with travel enthusiasts. And personally as an active hostel owner with a listing on Hostel World the increase will cause me to raise my rates which in return will cause a negative backlash with my hostel guests.
Most of us got into Hostel owning because we love everything that it entails, we're all passionate about traveling and meeting amazing people. And I think we all know the best travelers are the ones that stay in hostels.
If you do a little research you'll see that Hostel World Makes over a million dollars a month. They were purchased in 2009 by Web Reservation International for 458 million dollars. Thus taking it out of the hands of the former hostel owner that started the website. Along with him leaving, I believe his core hostel owner and hostel goer values left as well.
Alone nothing can be done, but together as hostel owners if we unite and say "No" we won't be taken advantage of. And if we all decide to leave and actually take action on it, it will send a direct message to the booking websites that it is not possible to have a hostel booking engine with out the hostels.
February 27, 2014 is when Hostel World is implementing their raise in commission fees. It's also "International Drop Hostel World Day"
Hostel Times welcomes all new hostels that wish to switch to our booking engine. We stand to benefit from Hostel World's greed but we also encourage you to list allocations with Hostels Club as well, which I will personally be doing with my hostel.
Thank You For Your Time,
Hostel Times Team
**Update: Please join us for our event on facebook and eventbrite to show our collaborative effort to fight the giant. Below are the links.
- Comments
11 years
Hello Blyth,
You're absolutely right and I would love to see your poster. I'm going to attach the one we just made as well as insert a link.
Thank You,
Hostel Times Team
11 years
This is a great idea Hosteltimes and I fully support it.
The only problem is many of us will stay with Hostelworld if they keep there service fee at 10% so we want to try to force their hand on this.
We will likely be trying to organise a campaign as a group to reduce allocation before the two week deadline.
Your poster is great for the internet but make it more prominent that you have a 50 % reduction.
Also there is too much colour on that poster to be printed out , it would use up all my ink.
Have you ever considered linking up with HOSTELZ.COM and showing your prices for each hostel there.
11 years
They raised there commission no worries I've already raised the prices only in there web site! and i removed availability in key Period where we can sell very easely our beds! We work with hostelsclub.com we never worked with you guys at hosteltimes but now i'll register my hostel with you! and you will have all our beds to sell for less in your web site!! So move on and sell beds as more as you can!! and more then that this year was my first time to hostel word Conference but i cancelled my registration!
11 years
They raised there commission no worries I've already raised the prices only in there web site! and i removed availability in key Period where we can sell very easely our beds! We work with hostelsclub.com we never worked with you guys at hosteltimes but now i'll register my hostel with you! and you will have all our beds to sell for less in your web site!! So move on and sell beds as more as you can!! and more then that this year was my first time to hostel word Conference but i cancelled my registration!
11 years
Hi John and Ricardo,
First I would like to say due to "red tape" we were forced to take down the event "International Drop Hostel World Day." It's still an official day from our point of view but we are unable to make it an "event."
John, you have a great idea. Seriously reducing the allocation for HW and sending more allocations to/signing up with Hostel Times and Hostels Club instead of fully pulling the plug is a safe alternative.
However, as a hostel owner I do express the concern that if Hostel World backs off their raise in commission fees (something I don't think they will do) that they won't just raise them again in the future or find another way to creatively raise the fees.) They have clearly demonstrated and stated that Hostel owners are not their concern. We are viewed as cash cows, not partners.
Ricardo, we are more than excited to have you aboard the Hostel Times Team!!
We appreciate all the recent attention and promotion from our current and future partners!
Hostel Times Team
11 years
Hello All,
Just would like to address an issue that was brought to our attention over the weekend.
Our 2$ service charge: It was said Hostel World was cheaper than Hostel Times since we had a 2$ service charge. The service charge was put in place in order to negate the credit card charges we receive. Even with the service charge, if the customer made a booking for anything over $40 then that allegation is/was simply untrue.
Nevertheless, I'm happy to announce we have done away with our service charge and will no longer charge customers this fee.
Now there will be no confusion on who is absolutely the cheapest booking engine for both our partners and customers.
Hostel Times Team
11 years
This is great news Hosteltimes.
I am wondering if you changed the 50% off to a 50% credit so it makes the customer return to book there next hostel as they have some money from the previous booking.
11 years
Hi John,
I will bring your suggestion up in our next meeting, the concept of having an incentive to return to the site is a good one. Below is the less colorish poster for our partners to print out. Let us know if you have any feedback on that as well.
Thanks again everyone for the support!!
Hostel Times Team
11 years
Hi John,
I will bring your suggestion up in our next meeting, the concept of having an incentive to return to the site is a good one. Below is the less colorish poster for our partners to print out. Let us know if you have any feedback on that as well.
Thanks again everyone for the support!!
Hostel Times Team
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