In a recession is pricing key to maintain market share of the hostel market?

Published: 14 Apr 2009

In a recession is pricing key to maintain market share of the hostel market?

A survey of 600 properties from 20 popular worldwide destinations, discovered HostelBookers.com are cheaper than Hostelworld, by an average of 4.2% – an equivalent saving of £6.75. source: Eyefortravel pricing analysis. This was a privately commissioned pricing survey, commissioned by HotelBookers and undertaken by eyefortravel)

The savings are higher in expensive cities like Paris and Sydney, where the average price difference is £15.87 and £11.23 respectively for two people over two nights.

Confident about offering the cheapest prices over all their 2,500 destinations and 12,000 properties, HostelBookers have now been prompted to offer a “lowest price guarantee” – if a customer finds the same accommodation for less within 24 hours, they will refund the difference.

David Smith, Chief Operating Officer at HostelBookers, said: “We’ve always aimed to provide our customers with the best value service, with no fees and hidden costs – that’s why we’re still the only independent hostel booking site that does not charge a booking fee. I’m delighted by the EyeforTravel results and hope that our lowest price guarantee can go some way to help families and backpackers keep travelling during the global recession.”

To celebrate, HostelBookers is holding a competition featuring 50 prizes, including a round the world trip with roundtheworldexperts.co.uk worth up to £3,000. Log on to www.hostelbookers.com from April 17 for a chance to enter.