12 years
When we open our hostel, in anticipation of the new technology, we are installing outlets for charging their phones, pads, etc in their room at their bedside overnight. Does anyone else have a similar set up for their clients?
Smartphones and Backpackers
Travel Talk
Has anyone noticed that many travelers have smartphones and tablets now? I see them everywhere.
I think smartphones will eventually replace laptops as the distraction of choice for people in hostel common areas. :)
From the traveler's perspective, why bother with a laptop when all of those things are easy to do on a smartphone:
- Facebook and social media
- Chat
- Maps, GPS directions
- Games
- Photos -- smartphone have cameras with instant sharing
- Travel research -- there are apps for this
- Looking up information
- Finding things to do -- just push a button and the phone recommends businesses and attractions nearby
All the phones have wireless Internet now, and it's less difficult to get overseas data plans than it was a few years ago...
- Comments
12 years
Over 80% of our guests have a smartphone. Laptops lasted for years, then netbooks were the thing to have lasted for about 2 (until last year approx). Our common room computer today (yes one computer for 70 beds) is often not in use. In our first hostel (20 beds 8 years ago) we had 5 desk tops and had to manage usage. What I feel is very significant today is how the smartphone is being used. Guests are standing on the street in front of our hostels telling us what we have available (using the booking engine allocations) but not booking, just walking in and asking for a bed. The intrepid traveler returns! Way less use of guide books too. Interesting times for all stakeholders in our industry.
12 years
That's interesting about the guests doing the research right in front of the hostel. Maybe it's bad news for hostel booking websites...?
One other interesting feature of smartphones is that you can push a button and the phone will tell you what is nearby. You can even use it to find nearby hostels. If anyone has one of these apps on their phone, try using it to search for hostels:
- Google Local
- Foursquare
- Yelp
I created a related thread here:
How Much Traffic Does Your Hostel Website Get From Mobile Devices?
12 years
Yes Steve. At the very begining we decided to install outlets inside each locker, but we were advised not to do it, because people could connect other things like water heaters, and leave this kind of device unatended could be dangerous, so we decided to place an outlet close to the reading lamp that every bed has.
Since we are not open yet, we do not know if we will need the next option: in order to prevent people taking somebodyelse device, we are plan to install in the loby, a "recharging station". This will look like small lockers with different cables to recharge phones, tablets, or laptops.
12 years
I added some more thoughts about mobile phones in the Good Guests Guide. This morning I was woken by a guest talking on her phone in her bunk bed. Then she left the room and her phone started ringing.
This situation must be getting more common in hostels...
12 years
Hello there, on a very different note... how about internet being so available that before when you would have several people seating on a common room enjoying each other's culture, travels and company now they seat in front of their device of choice and roam the internet without really communicating with those around them. They will have skype dates instead of actually going out and meeting people at the hostel... I see people talking to other people back home but not to those in their trips/hostel/coffe table... What do you think?
12 years
A great point indeed Oasishostel! Here are two threads discussing that issue:
Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphere in Hostels?
I fear for the future.
The smartphones make this even easier because they fit right in your pocket and can ALWAYS be with you. At least with the laptops they spent much of their time tucked securely away in a locker where you would have to expend the energy to go get them if you felt the urge to jump online.
11 years
Indeed, Apple has created an ecosystem that allows revenue generation through the purchase of content (e.g. subscriptions, music, apps., …), an ecosystem that is supposed to increase the number of cross-selling opportunities for other Apple gear by some 12%; e.g. there are 12% more chances that an iPhone user buys an iPad than an straight talk ahappydeal tablet.
11 years
I am without question seeing this at hostels all over the place, including down here in NZ/Oz as I write for the blog on here. As a usual manager, it can be very frustrating to the social vibe in the common room. As a current guest, I can be guilty of it as well. It makes me realize that a big part of the problem is the easy fall-back nature to technology. I find myself popping on my phone without even thinking about it, whereas before I would have looked around for someone to talk to. If that is coming from someone who usually is fighting against everyone on their devices, I can only imagine how many guests don't even realize how often they're doing it.
I am planning a blog post all about technology in hostels but it is without question the way of the future- or rather, present day. Lockers with power points are taking over and will soon be the new norm. Bunk beds with reading lights, power points and even USB outlets are becoming standard. Free wifi is all over Europe, North America & South America, though NZ/Oz seem to be quite behind on that. I know from the HostelWorld conference that their mobile bookings via their app are skyrocketing but I'm not surprised at what Patrick said. I had more than one guest in San Francisco find us via Google Maps as a suggested place to stay for their GPS location.
Technology is introducing new challenges, specifically to atmosphere, but in the end it's up to the hostel to create the type of hostel and atmosphere they want. My staff were great about striking up conversations in the common room to break the monotony of typing and texting. As sure enough, as soon as one person would start talking, one by one the others would ignore their devices and join in. Yes, sometimes it seems people are only skyping home instead of reaching out, but especially for first time travelers, this may be what they need from time to time to keep spirits up while on the road. Personally, I don't agree with things like not having wifi in the common room or the dorms as a means to preventing a lack of atmosphere or controlling the hostel vibe in some way. I think as technology only grows, that is going to leave you with cranky guests and missed expectations rather than a room full of social people. Additionally, I see technology as a potential way to grow our industry. For example, as more people realize they can work remotely as long as they have an internet connection, we may see even more travelers.
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