Someone once told me a brilliant idea for a hostel tshirt. It was basically along the lines of “My name is ____. I’m from ____. I’m traveling for ____ weeks/months. I’m going to ____ next.” The guest could just fill in the blanks with a marker, and thus avoid the standard hostel small talk.
Learn from industry leaders!
The Panel Discussion will happen December 17th @ 18:00 (GMT) .
Our HostelManagement theme for December is “Industry Expectations: Standing out, while fitting in.” I have to admit, even I thought to myself, “How can I write about such a cliche?” I want my writing to be meaningful, but most of all useful.
How can you make your hostel excellent at encouraging community and atmosphere? Learn from the hostel community in this panel discussion, which was streamed live Tues, 17 Dec at 18:00 GMT.
How do I even begin to describe the magic that is the Arts Factory Lodge? It may be unlike any other hostel in the world. Word on the street was you either love it or you hate it.
I recently stayed at Aussitel Backpackers in Coffs Harbor, Oz. The hostel itself is great, with by far the most free adventure activities I've seen to date. Other guests and I went surfing, stand up paddle boarding, jetty jumping and surf kayaking…all for free. What?!
Last weekend I attended Base Mingle in Sydney, an industry event slash huge party (aren't those usually one in the same?). A few drinks in and I was agreeing to join part of a surf camp that week with the guys from Surf Camp Australia.
As you know from Part 1 of this blog post, I had been feeling a bit lonely on the road due to the quiet nature of low season in New Zealand.
Before I left, I thought that between all of the hostels & dorm rooms, tours & activities, I may start feeling a bit crowded and crave some 'me time'. I was surprised to find the opposite true.
Backpackers in 2013: The only people who will travel half way around the world to experience other people and cultures be on Facebook. Likely while sitting next to someone from another country, who is watching YouTube. Eish.
There's no question travel can be fun, rewarding, and exciting. However anyone who's traveled will tell you it can also be frustrating, lonely, and exhausting. Sometimes missing certain comforts of home can cause some unusual behavior.
My admiration for Hekerua Lodge on Waiheke Island as described in my previous post was very much from a guest perspective.
