Report

Golden Backpack Winners Announced

Hostel Trends and News

gordo started this discussion 13 years 3 weeks ago

First of all, congrats to the winners.

Secondly, wtf? Here's a list of best hostels in Australia/NZ according to the awards - I've also added their ratings on HW.

QLD - Bunk backpackers – 80%
TAS - central city backpackers 74%
NT - toddy's backpackers – 64%
WA - perth city YHA – 80%
Vic - habitat hq – 88%
NSW – sydney harbour YHA 92%
SA - shakespears backpackers – 78%
NZ – nomads queenstown 91%

a 64%!?!?!?

Now, I've never been a big fan of these awards - the voting system has been historically open for corruption, although admittedly last year TNT magazine did change the voting process. Ultimately, it all comes down to who can get the most votes and nothing to do with overall quality. So big hostels obviously have a big advantage. But seriously, only 2 hostels over 90% (and one of them is in NZ)!? I'm not going to go on a big rant about the state of Australia's tourism industry right now (I'll hold out for a little while), but wow. For such a massive industry in Aus, it's staggering to see just how far behind the quality is.

Anyway, discuss!

Comments

Report

peterb

13 years

Hmmm. I have to first disclose that I am the owner of Habitat HQ in Melbourne. We work very hard to identify and exceed the expectations of backpacker travellers. We operate in a modern purpose built building that is only 5 years old. The facilities are excellent. We have well trained staff that know Melbourne and that can provide information and directions to guests. Our reception is open 24 x 7. We offer heaps of free stuff - free breakfast, free wifi, free car parking, free pancakes on Wednesday, free BBQ on Thursday, free city walking tour on Friday and heaps more. We are a top rated hostel Melbourne with the top ratings for the Melbourne hostels on Hostelworld generally around the 87% - 89% range.

Report

peterb

13 years

I should have also mentioned that we were awarded the Victorian Tourism Award in both 2010 & 2011 and this is assessed by industry experts and not voted by guests! So yes, I think we are pretty good and still getting better.

The awards may not be perfect and there are probably winners that deserve to be in the top three in their class, but maybe not number 1. But these events or competitions do have a positive impact on the industry as they encourage all of the operators that enter the competition to strive to impress their guests/customers. This is good for lifting the quality of the service provided to backpackers and through word of mouth will hopefully encourage more backpackers to come to Australia.

Regards, Peter
Habitat HQ

Search form

Report 'Golden Backpack Winners Announced'?

Report 'Re: Golden Backpack Winners Announced'?

Report 'Re: Golden Backpack Winners Announced'?

Join the world's largest community of hostel professionals.

Check Your Email