Report

Locals Filling up Perth Hostels

Hostel Trends and News

Josh started this discussion 16 years 1 week ago

Desperate renters filling up hostels:
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24690084-5013240,00.html

PEOPLE squeezed out of Perth's expensive rental market are checking into backpacker hostels - making it hard for international travellers to find a bed.
Landlords are still charging boom-era rates when properties were in limited supply, forcing many low-income earners into cheaper accommodation.

The 160-bed Brittania backpackers in William St, Northbridge, charges $151 a week for a dormitory bed, or $245 a week for a private room. All its 160 beds are taken - a big number by locals.

"Many people are coming from WA and other parts of Australia because of the mining boom, but there is a shortage of accommodation,'' manager Andrew Wade said. "I have staff here who have tried to rent houses. Unless they walk up with a suit and tie with $1000 in their hands, they have no chance.''

...Some hostels contacted by The Sunday Times said they had a strict international backpacker-only rule, while others welcomed Australians as long as they were travellers.

Full article:
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24690084-5013240,00.html

Hostels mentioned:

What do you think? Should hostels take locals? Does it work, or lead to problems?

Comments

Report

gordo

16 years

locals are trouble. EVERY hostel i've worked in, we've done everything humanly possible to discourage/eliminate locals staying... even more so here in edinburgh.

that said, the majority of problems actually stem from locals in the bar/common areas rather than rooms. there are few things more insulting IMO than having some scottish NED argue that he's 'entitled to a beer' because a) he's scottish and this is scotland and b) he pays his taxes. you know what mate? i guarantee you that i pay as much in tax as you do AND the business i run generates more tax revenue than your sorry ass does! so NO, you cant have a beer, now GTFU out of my hostel. [/rant]

sorry... ergh, locals...

Report

aboriginalhostel

16 years

locals are trouble.

Unfortunately my experience just proves the same thing, but there is a social background behind. The more stable financial background you have, the better accommodation you can afford. If you have enough, you own, if you can't afford it, you rent, if you can't rent, you stay in motels/hostels, especially if you have weekly or long term rates available.

These people doesn't stay in hostels for recreational reasons but because they can't go elsewhere. They won't get along with the guests and soon they treat the property as it would be their own.

I think similar about the work exchange: If you count about how much is a bed value per month and compare it to the salary plus taxes you pay for an employee, a decent hostel should make more profit by selling the bed for guests instead of having someone work for free. Not to mention the morale of an employee who never gets a normal sleep in a busy hostel... and working most of the time. IMHO.

sorry... ergh, locals...

No worries, mate, I completely agree with you! ;)

One more thing: Maybe there would be an opportunity to open up worker hotels/hostels in Perth? ;)

Report

Josh Hostels

16 years

I've had a lot of problems with local guests at hostels in the USA too. Usually when a local guest makes their way into the hostel it causes a lot of problems. I wasn't sure if it was just a problem in the USA.

I wonder how the ratings are on hostels that allow locals vs. the hostels that only take travelers...

Report

aboriginalhostel

16 years

I wonder how the ratings are on hostels that allow locals vs. the hostels that only take travelers...

Locals always pay less per night quote than those who stay only couple of days...
IMHO, those who can't sell their beds to travelers, will sell to the locals. :p
You can imagine those hostels ratings then...

My respect to the exceptions!

Report

Josh Hostels

16 years

Locals always pay less per night quote than those who stay only couple of days...
IMHO, those who can't sell their beds to travelers, will sell to the locals. :p

I remember one particularly bad local guest at one of the hostels I worked at. The owner wouldn't let us kick him out. Every night he would urinate in the dorm room's trash can while the other guests were sleeping and then place the trash can outside the dorm room for the housekeepers to clean up. Finally we just tossed him out when the owner wasn't looking, but the owner ran after him down the street and asked him to come back :D

There was no logic behind it except "a long term guest = $$$$". (but like you said, long term guests pay less per night).

Report

aboriginalhostel

16 years

There was no logic behind it except "a long term guest = $$$$". (but like you said, long term guests pay less per night).

Indeed, it's a fault concept to believe a long term guest worth more at any price. If you have a good hostel, people will find you... although nowadays you need a good marketing as well: To let people know about your good hostel, so they can find it in the dungeons of information! ;)

If you have such long term "guest" in your hostel, you may have to consider how many other guests would be annoyed of him/her, and how many friends/travelers would be warned about your place due that single experience! Word of Mouth is a great but true advertiser!

Report

Josh Hostels

16 years

...he's 'entitled to a beer' because a) he's scottish and this is scotland and b) he pays his taxes.

Is the bar only for hostel guests?

Report

gordo

16 years

Is the bar only for hostel guests?

technically, yeah. but a lot of us have friends on the 'outside' and ex-residents etc who've moved into flats come in for a drink. we've also got a good relationship with another hostel at the other end of town and they come in everynow and then. ultimately, we're not a public bar... more like a members club :p

Search form

Report 'Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Report 'Re: Locals Filling up Perth Hostels'?

Join the world's largest community of hostel professionals.

Check Your Email