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What is the priority to be in the membership of the Hostelling International ?

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Peter started this discussion 17 years 2 months ago

Shall I get a more turists if I shall be registered in the Hostelling International ?
Thank you

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uktrail

17 years

I am a member of the Trust that saved Dolgoch hostel.:)

I guess YHA have found a creative solution, albeit from a purely business viewpoint rather than a charity that wants to help "all, especially young people of limited means, to an enjoyment of the countryside...":

* Sell your properties at market value, so you benefit from the work put in by your supporters over the years. Some of these supporters will actually, as trusts, buy some of the hostels. These trusts then put in voluntary effort to maintain the hostels. They become members of your enterprise scheme in which you provide a marketing and booking service (which costs you little) but otherwise you have no responsibility for the hostels, and in return you get an annual fee from the hostel owners, additional membership subscriptions, and the benefit of having a bigger network in your Hostel Guide. *

Good business sense!:mad:

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Ria

16 years

As much as I'm not a fan of HI because of their outdated way at looking at their clientele, those large impersonal hostels is what keeps the smaller ones open.

In CA they have a number of smaller seasonal hostels that will never turn a profit on their own, thus never having money for improvements. The larger hostels in SD, SF and LA make so much money, I'm pretty sure they are the revenue makers that allow them to keep those other hostels open.

I don't think HI will die out because they do serve the purpose of having those smaller hostels operating where no one else would survive because they couldnt' make enough money to live.

But, i think they need to get more 'with it', like allowing guests to have alcohol in the hostels. However, if they ever allow that, then independents like us are in trouble because that is the #1 reason people stay with us over the local HI.

I've been in several in CA and each one is really gorgeous and modern and have lots of activities. And the one is NYC made me downright jealous. The only drawback of that location is their kitchen was way way too small for having 700 beds. But i was greeted by a volunteer the minute i walked in the building and everyone was very helpful. All the common areas were great but the dorms were very spartan and too large for my liking.

If our company had that building we would rock it! But even on it's own it was a great space and had nice staff.

I disagree with the poster who said not to affiliate because if they are in a smaller market, then having the tie might be helpful from the marketing aspect.

If i went out on my own, i'd stay independent, but for someone not already in the biz, a year or two affiliation could be helpful.

But in the end, the poster is right - it's all about location location location.

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Josh Hostels

16 years

But, i think they need to get more 'with it', like allowing guests to have alcohol in the hostels. However, if they ever allow that, then independents like us are in trouble because that is the #1 reason people stay with us over the local HI.

I think the US is a bit conservative about it. I'm discovering that restrictions like no alcohol, short maximum stay, and same-sex dorms don't exist in all HI networks.

Here's a quick search for HI hostels with bars :D
http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ahihostels.com+%22hostel+bar%22&num=100

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Ria

16 years

I thought i stayed at at least one HI in Europe that had a bar! Yeah, I'm not surprised the US HI's are behind the times....good for us, bad for them.....

but then again the US hostels are the red-headed step children of the industry. I find a lot of US hostels are a bit behind the times. Again, good for us, bad for them.

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gordo

16 years

i was allowed to drink in the few HI's i stayed at in the US. and in canada we used to have a raging bar at the HI i worked at!

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Kapake

16 years

Once again, I do not love party dirty hostels.
HI is awfull! As a new hostel even talking on the phone is hard enough, their requests are riddiculous, I´m truly annoyed! But I do understand my boss´ when he insists in contacting them, they have a name and that´s supposed to help us start...
Alcohol...well, yes and no. Yes to parties that beggin and end. No to open bar 24/7 "spring break" type of lifestyle...that´s not where I want to work or to offer as a product. My respects to those who do.

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Josh Hostels

16 years

HI is awfull! As a new hostel even talking on the phone is hard enough, their requests are riddiculous, I´m truly annoyed! But I do understand my boss´ when he insists in contacting them, they have a name and that´s supposed to help us start...

Are you an HI hostel? I've stayed at many HI hostels, but only worked in independent hostels...

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Kapake

16 years

Are you an HI hostel? I've stayed at many HI hostels, but only worked in independent hostels...

Nope, trying to...annoyed by my boss who wants to be a part of it.
The thing is HI has 8 hostels in Buenos Aires, so it´s difficult to become a part of it...that plus the idiotic requests...I´m having a hard time comunicating with them...

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aboriginalhostel

16 years

Nope, trying to...annoyed by my boss who wants to be a part of it.
The thing is HI has 8 hostels in Buenos Aires, so it´s difficult to become a part of it...that plus the idiotic requests...I´m having a hard time comunicating with them...

How many beds do you have? If you are a relatively small hostel, like 50-100 beds or less, you don't really need to be affiliated to HI. It could be even more charming to individual travelers if you say: "We don't have school groups!" Use your advantages! :D

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Kapake

16 years

How many beds do you have? If you are a relatively small hostel, like 50-100 beds or less, you don't really need to be affiliated to HI. It could be even more charming to individual travelers if you say: "We don't have school groups!" Use your advantages! :D

I have 37 beds:
5 rooms w/6 beds
1 room w/ 4 beds
And a private Suite that is for 1 to 3 people.

3 common bathrooms
1 private bathroom
1 common room with PCs, plasma, shared library, fireplace...
2 patios, one with BBQ.

I know I dont HAVE but I have to because my boss is obsessed with HI...He´s driving me crazy:o

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