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Hostels
have a strong relationship with backpackers and student travelers, but recently
business travelers have started to take advantage of this cheaper alternative
to a hotel when traveling internationally.
As someone who has spent some time in Europe as a student traveler, I
have stayed in my fair share of hostels and have noticed the diversity in the
demographic of those staying in the hostel.
Hostels are no longer just a place for backpackers to rest their head
before departing on the next leg of their adventure, but are a gathering place
for young people, families, and business people alike who are looking for an
alternative to expensive hotels in the city center.
In a recent article in The New York Times, "Hostels
Gain Popularity With Business Travelers", one man discusses his
experience staying in a hostel in Copenhagen that changed how he approaches
lodging when traveling abroad. As
international travel gains popularity, hostels need to find a competitive
advantage to attract more customers; this has led to an increase in the number
of amenities offered and an improvement in the facilities. Previously, when you were staying at a hostel
you booked a bed in room shared with anywhere from 2-20 strangers, but hostels
now offer private rooms and bathrooms.
Some of the other amenities offered include free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms,
and bars with an open atmosphere that is appealing to those traveling
alone.
Gone are the days of hostels being
solely a backpacker’s heaven. Now when you
walk into the lobby of a hostel it would not be uncommon to see business men
working on their laptops at the bar next to a group of 20 something’s hunched
over a map planning their sightseeing tour.
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