When it comes to searching for a hostel, travelers want something that is safe, clean and cost-efficient.
Perhaps this is why Hostelworld.com has been so successful, growing to over an estimated 9,000 properties, including hostels, hotels and bed and breakfasts.
“We are always trying to improve,” said senior marketing executive Andrew Fassnidge in a phone interview from Dublin, Ireland, where the company is based.
Always thinking in terms of the backpacker, Fassnidge said that Hostelworld.com is always pushing for properties in remote areas where there are not many accommodations, such as secluded parts of Asia.
Five years ago, founders Tom Kennedy and Ray Nolan discovered a need for a secure, reliable way to explore the hostel world.
Combining Kennedy’s business skills and Nolan’s software and technology expertise, including their love of travel, they were able to develop a Web site that allows travelers to not only find trustworthy lodging, but to make reservations and plan their trip or tour accordingly.
This idea picked up fairly quickly, as most dot-com ideas have in the past few years.
Today, Hostelworld.com has a team that is dedicated to finding and working with different sorts of temporary housing.
To ensure quality and security, travelers are asked to complete a survey after they have stayed at a location. If the average of grading falls below 50 percent, the hostel is removed from the website.
The Web site received the best e-Commerce award at the 2002 Golden Spiders Internet awards ceremony, and was voted one of the best sites in the E-business category in the World Summit awards in 2003.
Travelers do not have to become a member or have an association with the Web site to search or book hostels. There is only a $2 booking fee and a 10 percent deposit to guarantee the reservation.
Hostelworld.com also offers travel insurance and a Hostelworld Gold Card for frequent travel discounts. There are editorial columns, travel tips, maps and tour packages. There is also flight, rail pass and bus information and pricing.
Some popular places that are visited are Madrid, London, Sydney, Florence, Vienna and Athens for prices ranging from $18-32 (U.S. dollars).
Next week, the Web site is hosting a contest for students. The winner will win a trip for two, including airfare, ten nights free at a hostel of their choice and first class rail passes. To apply, check out their website at www.hostelworld.com.
