Have online hostel booking websites changed the way backpackers are treated?
After reading a comment about hostel booking sites left by Ian – a hostel owner in London (Top Hostel Reservation Sites For The Budget Traveler), I began to wonder about the impact these sites have had upon world travel.
Back in the days when the traveler would use a guide book such as the lonely planet to find a suitable hostel or guest house it was a simpler affair for the hostel owner. Before the internet weaved it’s way around the globe the hostel owner could easily gain the custom of the passing traveler without having to worry about them having a booking already made or that everything could be scrutinised in public after their visit.
The speed and real-time effects of the internet have put major pressure on many hostels to bend over backwards for backpackers, often stretching their resources to the maximum.
“Backpackers who have booked through a certain website have on occasion been known to be allocated a superior room based on the hope that this will eventually provide more positive feedback when they review the hostel.”
Reviews play a major part in how prominant a hostel will be on the internet, with more and more bookings happening online as well as an increase in the number of backpackers choosing to pre-booked a hostel.
The power of hostel booking sites has never been greater. While this may often sounds like a win-win situation for the traveler, it’s not always the case. Some hostels for example will simply bend the rules in order to gain good reviews, after all these reviews feed their business.
Backpackers who have booked through a certain website have on occasion been known to be allocated a superior room based on the hope that this will eventually provide more positive feedback when they review the hostel. The backpackers that haven’t booked probably aren’t going to review and in any case on most hostel booking websites they can’t without a booking. This means they are often of less importance to the hostel owner.
Where does this leave the traveler who hasn’t been online to pre-book their hostel? Well on occasions, as a second class backpacker.
It’s a shame and it really shouldn’t be the case, but it proves that the online hostel booking websites really do hold all the cards.
Hmm, I never felt like a second-class backpacker during my recent RTW trip. I barely booked in advance during 15 months of continuous travel, though the 2-3 times when I felt it was appropriate (ex: Christmas Eve/Day), I was glad to have the hostel booking sites.
The reviews were a big factor for me deciding on a place, though it seems as though there are a lot of finicky backpackers out there. Also, the reviews can easily skew negative, because people with bad experiences are more likely to leave comments.
Hi Dave,
How do you feel about people who have booked through one of the booking sites getting a far superior room to you? In an attempt to get better reviews?
Is that fair?
Thanks,
Paul @
TravMonkey.com
Hello!
I was about to post something like David did. Usually people who had a bad experience will have plenty of time to describe in detail why they didnt enjoy their stay. (Once our staff was accused of stealing the guest´s wallet in one of the reviews!!!!) and whatever nice happened isnt taken into account. And people who are having fun and still on the road only post short comments or none but good ratings.
I reccommend booking only the first couple of nights on these websites which are no doubt, handy, but usually you get better rates and deals when you book over the phone or in person.
Booking engines have definitely changed traveling. Some travelers now book their entire trips before they go.
In general, a good hostel will attempt to treat all guests well because all guests are capable of making reviews. There are plenty of sites like Tripadvisor, Yelp, Bug.co.uk, Hostelz.com, etc., that anyone can leave a review on.
From the hostels' perspective, they typically prefer that guests book directly. It costs the hostels 10% or more of the total booking cost if travelers book through a booking engine…