12 years
Hi Fred,
Welcome to the site!
There aren’t any threads specifically mentioning what a Canadian would need to do in order to buy a hostel internationally, as far as I recall. Each country would have different requirements, so it’s more about where you want to go than where you are from. Frequently it’s easier to buy or start a business overseas than it is to get permission to work there because foreign investors bring money into the local economy. You might get a warmer welcome than you expect.
Your idea of a quiet hostel, with mature atmosphere and geared to older travelers is not one that we have heard a lot in the forums. Thank you for bringing it up! You are absolutely right that there is a relatively untouched niche there.
With all of the Baby Boomers hitting retirement age, there are a LOT of people who would enjoy hosteling. In many cases these folks are no longer working or supporting kids, so they have the freedom to hit the road for longer trips. They have some money, but don’t necessarily want to spend it on hotels, and they don’t want to sit by a pool in a boring resort all day either. If you created something that caters to them, then you could run a very unique and successful business.
If you set this up, what would be different from other hostels? Would you have a higher percentage of private rooms vs. dorms? Would you implement a minimum age limit - maybe 35? Sightseeing tours and cultural events would probably be just as popular with an older crowd as they are with younger travelers. Excursions that involve interaction with locals and focus on traditions and cultures (food, music, dancing, art, etc) would probably go over well. Language lessons might be interesting, and who doesn’t love cooking lessons with a local chef? Instead of a noisy bar you could organize something more sophisticated: wine tasting/pairing evenings, whiskey sampling, or cocktail mixing lessons. For the most part the common spaces would be set up the same way as any other hostel, making it easy for guests to socialize.
Do you have other ideas in mind to differentiate a more mature hostel from one with a younger crowd?
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