thumb|Hostel dormitory room in [[Taiwan]]
thumb|A house that has been converted into a hostel in [[Paihia, New Zealand]]
thumb|Outdoor pool and shared space at a hostel in [[Pai, Thailand|Pai, Thailand]]
A hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a dormitory sleeping 4–20 people, with shared use of a lounge and usually a kitchen. The global size of the hostel market was estimated at US$7.21 billion in 2023 and was projected to grow at a 6.5% compound annual growth rate until 2030. In 2019, there were an estimated 5,829 hostels in Europe and 4,738 hostels in Asia. The typical guest is between 16 and 34 years old, although it can vary depending on the country. Many hostels are locally owned and operated.
Advantages
The benefits to travelers of hostels include lower costs
Some hostels, such as those in the Hostelling International network, cater to a niche market of travelers. Some may cater to older digital nomads, global nomads, and perpetual travelers who prefer slightly more upmarket private rooms or a quieter atmosphere. Hostels may also differentiate themselves by being environmentally friendly ecohostels. The original hostel rooms are now a museum. Schirrmann served in World War I and after observing the Christmas truce on the Western Front in December 1915, he wondered whether "thoughtful young people of all countries could be provided with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each other". In 1919, he founded the German Youth Hostel Association.
By 1932, Germany had more than 2,000 hostels recording more than 4.5 million overnights annually. The International Youth Hostel Federation (now Hostelling International) was founded in October 1932. It is now an organization composed of more than 90 hostel associations representing over 4,500 hostels in over 80 countries. These hostels cater more to school-aged children, sometimes through school trips, and families with school-aged children.
In 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the honorary president of AYH (now Hostelling International USA). John D. Rockefeller III was a proponent of hostels and was president for several years.
During World War II, many hostels in Europe were temporarily shut down or placed under the control of the Hitler Youth.
In the 1960s and 1970s, hostelling prospered. The industry declined during the 1970s energy crisis.
During the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession, the hostel market actually grew due to its cost appeal.
A law passed in New York State in 2010 banned hostels due to illegal hostels set up in residences, unless a hotel license was obtained.
See also
- Bed and breakfast
- Inn
- Motel