Hostel Rocket is positioning themselves as the new digital age OTA and a marketing engine for hostels. They do this with a focus on hostel community, 'book direct' and NO booking commissions.
Does this new, fresh approach sound too good to be true ?
Our Community Manager, Rucksack Brian, sat down for a talk with founder and CEO Michelle McBryde.
Watch this interview to learn what Hostel Rocket and the people behind it are all about and also how your hostel can get listed with them.
Here are some of the interview highlights:
The background of Hostel Rocket:
Why was Hostel Rocket created - What is the reason for introducing this new portal to the travel industry?
Why now - why is this the right time to address a need for a new OTA in the hostel industry ?
What is founder and CEO Michelle McBryde's connection to the hostel industry?
What is the background of the rest of the team behind Hostel Rocket ?
The Vision & Primary Goal:
What is Michelle's overall vision and the primary goal of Hostel Rocket ?
Hostel Rocket Services, Value and how to get listed:
What services and value is Hostel Rocket offering hostels and travelers ?
Is it possible for hostels to be listed on Hostel Rocket even if they don't use a channel manager ?
Are the hostel reviews on hostel rocket collected from guests or aggregated from other sites ?
Does Hostel Rocket have any plans of creating or featuring their own review system in the future?
How does Hostel Rocket approach the challenge of attracting both travelers and hostels in order to enter the market competition and get established in the industry?
What is the value proposition Hostel Rocket offers hostels?
What is the 'Are you next' Hostel Rocket travel campaign about ?
How will Hostel Rocket's website and portal be different from others ?
What sets Hostel Rocket apart from other existing OTAs and booking agents ? What is Hostel Rocket doing differently ?
Who will be listed on Hostel Rocket - Is Hostel Rocket really going to list hostels only now and in the future ?
What are Hostels Rockets criteria for being accepted as a hostel and be listed ?
[To get more information and get your hostel listed - go to operators.hostelrocket.com]
Hostel Rocket pricing strategy & business model:
What is the pricing strategy of Hostel Rocket (currently it's free) and why ?
It almost sounds too good to be true with free bookings - how can Hostel Rocket cover it's costs ?
For how long can hostel operators expect to have the service from Hostel Rocket for free and what is the future pricing strategy of hostel rocket?
Hostel Rocket Investors:
What is the investment capital earmarked for that Hostel Rocket has received in seed rounds and from venture capitalists?
How can Hostel Rocket align the current pricing strategy and business model with the financial interests and expectations of their venture capitalists investors?
A 'Book Direct' focus:
A focus on 'book direct' seems unusual for an OTA - why does Hostel Rocket promote this?
In what ways, is Hostel Rocket trying to promote and support direct bookings ?
How does Michelle and Hostel Rocket respond to industry concerns regarding the risk of listing with a new OTA that may end up getting sold or take away independence and control from the hostels?
Hostel Industry Collaboration:
What does Hostel Rocket need from the industry in order to really take off and make a successful difference in the work of championing direct bookings to travelers?
Social media and branding of hostels:
What advice or recommendations does Michelle have for Hostels to improve their social media presence and engage online with guests and travelers?
