Case Study: How Hostels can Increase Reservations

Hostels ask us all the time how to grow their business more rapidly. As an actual case study, we were asked this exact question by a hostel in Indonesia this month, “We need your advice on how to increase increase reservation production this year.”

We thought, why not share the answer more widely, so all our hostel and lodging partners can benefit from the same great advice. Well, here is the exact advice we provided:

Yes, we have suggestions for you.

  1. Get more online web links directly to your website. Please log in to your profile at our website, then proceed to the OPPORTUNITIES page to learn more.
  2. Your hostel currently appears on 20 individual websites in our IWB network. Your profile content is currently translated to 3 languages, which means your hostel profile appears on 60 individual pages on these websites. You can increase this to 15 translations, which means your hostel can appear on 20 x 15 actual webpages. That’s 300 webpages in total, which is significant.
  3. Social Media Marketing by IWB – You have a Facebook page with about 3.8K followers and an Instagram account with about 2.3K, good job. But we can boost your social media exposure even more. With our optional Social Media Marketing service, we will handle all your weekly social media posting on 3 social media channels, mainly Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which are the main ones for the travel market. And, we’ll rapidly grow your follower base much faster. Please let us know if you are interested. Our posting method is highly targeted, and designed to maximize your business’ social media presence. We can multiply your followers by many times in just a short period of time, and grow it from there.
  4. Professional Video Production. Video is a crucial aspect in today’s online marketing for accommodations. We can produce a custom video for your property. We will then promote your video on all our social media channels. Your video will be featured on your profile page on all 20 IWB sites that you appear on. As mentioned above, your hostel profile information can appear in up to 15 languages, which means your video can appear on 20 x 15 actual webpages. That’s 300 webpages in total, which is significant. You also receive a copy of your video for your own private and commercial use. You get to choose the theme of your video.

To view some demos of custom videos we can produce for accommodations, please see this page:
http://www.hosteltraveler.com/video-marketing-for-hotels-hostels.php

Please let us know if you are interested in these services, which will greatly enhance your marketing efforts, and grow your reservations rapidly.

Of course, this is a just a single case study. At HostelTraveler.com (Instant World Booking), we provide consulting and advice to accommodations and lodging of all sizes. We also provide custom solutions for growing accommodation businesses. Please contact us to find out how we can be of further assistance to your business.


Millennial Tourists Traveling to Cities More than Ever

Millennial Tourists are seeking urban experiences more now than ever, according to a recent study. While on vacation, according to a new review of millennial travel habits, by research firm Resonance, the overall number of city trips increased by 82 percent between 2007 and 2014. This means that young travelers will be coming to a city near you more than ever. So, hostels and other accommodations catering to youth travel should be getting ready for more traffic in urban areas.

The analysis reported that millennial travelers today are “almost as likely to visit a major metropolitan city (38 percent) as they are to visit a beach resort (40 percent) in the next 24 months.” And guess what hostel managers? People visiting urban areas are more likely to be higher wage earners. The appeal of city travel grows with affluence. So, these young travelers may be bringing more money to spend when they arrive.

For the full report by Resonance, see Millennials traveling to cities

For millennial travel bookings visit:
Hostels and Accommodation for Millenials


Top Travelers Backpack with Brains – Part 2

Continued from Top Travelers Backpack with Brains – Part 2

Don’t Take Stuff You Can’t Bear To Lose

You’re going to be living a transitory lifestyle and safe-guarding belongings can be more difficult under those circumstances. Many hostels have security boxes but if you’re constantly trying to navigate the security of your possessions, it will be a burden. Things that are very, very valuable to you are best left at home. Things that are pretty valuable to you, keep on your person or locked somewhere secure. Even if you think you can trust everyone sharing your dormitory you can really never know.

On the street, keep valuables as close to your person as possible (either out of sight altogether or in a bag that is durable in crowds). There is no need for paranoia, but some scam artists operate by causing distractions whilst your bag is slashed and your belongings taken. Buy a bag that’s resilient or wear your rucksack forwards facing. Be careful not to be too flash with your belongings. You never know who may be watching you whilst you Skype on your IPad or counting the money you’ve just taken from the bank. Practice caution and modesty. Often it’s much more cost-effective to buy a cheap mobile phone in the countries that you visit, than to use your state-of-the-art one from home.


Florida Horse Country Getaways

If you are drawn by the allure of Horse Country, but don’t count yourself among Ocala’s thoroughbred owners, head to Young’s Paso Fino Ranch at 8075 W. County Road 326. The ranch is perfect for people who don’t know the difference between a saddle and a spur.

Trail rides run about $35; tours and demonstrations also are available. (352) 867-5305).

Other spots to ride include:

• JNB Horse Haven Farm on C.R. 42, near the intersection with C.R. 452, between Weirsdale and Aftoona. (352) T53-4756.

• New England Shire Centre, 4877 S.W.134th Terrace, Ocala. Farm tours available.

• North Star Acres, 9950 S.E.125th Court, Dunnellon. (352) 489-9848. If you prefer to leave the reins in experienced hands, check out the Florida Carriage Museum and Resort in Weirsdale, south of Ocala.

Take a carriage ride or explore 150 historic European and American carriages, including one owned by Franz Joseph, and a horse-drawn fire engine (www.fcmr.org)

Book Florida Hotels and Hostel


New for 2011 – January Newsletter

 

New for 2011
No Booking Fees

We not only reduced booking fees, we eliminated them for most budget accommodations.Find the cheapest accommodations in your favorite destinations.

Search Now?

Best Price Guarantee
Get the lowest price on your accommodation.In addition to no booking fees, we now guarantee that you get the lowest price for your travel reservation. Reserve today with confidence.

Want guaranted rates?

 Travelling in 2011?
Instant World Booking now offers some of the biggest selections of accommodation, including a multitude of unique properties that can’t be found anywhere else.For boutique hotels, hostels, and B&B’s, Reserve the world today with Instant World Booking.

Book now?

Beijing $8 Rome €7 Prague €7 Lisbon €10
Rio de Janeiro $15 Hong Kong $7 Florida $23 Mexico $11


News from the hostel kitchen

We have a new cook. Florian cooks delicous vegetarian meals every monday. Florian is a real Berliner and cooking is his passion and sharing the food with friends a kind of heaven on earth. If you like you could even join in on the cooking and mix with your own ingredients to create experimental dishes…hmmmm
Its a fun event and a nice opportunity to meet other travellers!
So do all to have a bed on monday at EastSeven Berlin Hostel. Of course the food is for FREE, but you should register till monday15:00.

For more impressions just watch our cooking on mondays video:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYCHQDuNhtw