Marketing hostels to female backpackers

Current edition of the Pirelli Calendar? :D

In thinking about this more (we are still in the planning stages) what we are now looking at is having each bathroom area exactly the same for both sexes. This way it can give is more flexibility if one area has all guys in it, we can then designate they can use any bathroom as they are identical and then change the signage as need be to suit the flow of guests.

That sounds like the best plan. It doesn't cut into your potential market to have a hair dryer or two available for hire, but also helps appeal to the expanded market (girls who use a hair dryer.)

And I agree that trying to make things "equal" or providing things for women and men at one for one items is silly. If you provide a shuttle service to people going to the airport, but not to the subway, do you worry? Only if people need to get to the subway and it will help them enjoy their stay, and even then it wouldn't have anything to do with whether or not there is an airport shuttle. Hairdryers or separate rooms aren't any different. If it helps them enjoy their stay, and is cost effective, then do it. If not, don't. :)

I actually do not understand why our marketing-people write some stuff, like `wonderful fluffy towels` or `great shampoo` or something like that. I don` t like marketing anyway, they seem always to speak to stupid people and sometimes it works, but i don`t like to think that people are stupid :)

Best thing I've read in this forum for some time :D

No, it stems from the existence of marketing people in those places, who have to make up some bullshit once in a while to make the owners happy ("See? I´m doing something!")

Klaus, I think you might get a kick out of thesecomics. Many of them are like your comment.

Maybe I was over-estimating the logic of the larger groups that have made these areas :)

I'm not a massive fan of 'creative' marketing stuff either. I'm working at a smaller place so we don't have a significant marketing budget, and if there was money to spend I'd prefer to spend it on improving our facilities.

We have a female only wing, without any extra facilities, and most girls traveling without guys prefer to stay in that area. I think if you can split the marketing blah blah, from the fact the guests get more comfort, then the later is still a good thing.