Youth Hostels in Perth Australia

"Even as the city's hotel occupancy rate has fallen to 66 percent in February, from 81 percent in the same month last year, despite steep discounts, many youth hostels are reporting banner business."

New York Times

Hostels provide a budgeted communal accommodation for guests. Rooms are usually dormitory style, with shared bathrooms, kitchen, entertainment and lounge area. Accommodation can be unisex or private. It is much cheaper, of course, to stay in a Hostel, but it is also much less expensive to operate them as opposed to a hotel, which makes them very attractive business models for operators; Exchanges of free accommodations for housekeeping or desk clerk services are often found at many hostels. This article will focus on youth hostels Perth, Australia.

In countries like UK, Ireland, India, and Australia, hostel also refers to establishments providing longer-term accommodation to students, drug addicts and court defendants on bail, generally they are operated by Housing Associations and charities. While, the remaining world relates hostels with properties offering accommodation to travellers or backpackers.

Hostels are different from hotels in terms of budget and environment. Unlike hotels, hostel has a minimal or budget rate to offer to its customers. It maintains cost through programs oriented on communal sharing; be it the kitchen, dinning area or recreation room. Hostels provide less formal and friendlier atmosphere for gregarious people, as it contains opportunities and green area for sharing interests and social factor.

The hostel industry is growing rapidly around the world. With the development of independent backpackers hostels, cities across the globe are reporting tremendous income growth through the hostel business model. Hawaii, high-end hostels are reportedly making $200 per night in comparison to hotels charging between $141 to $173 per room. Australian study exhibit backpackers spend more than non-backpackers, due to their extended stays. Backpackers constitute 10% of the international visitors in Australia. While, backpackers in New Zealand, share 13.5% of accommodation guest/nights for the international visits.

Australia offers its visitors Wilderness Hostels that are located in or near National Parks or similar wilderness environments. It offers basic facilities, constituting cold water for cooking and washing, provides 20 bed accommodation and separate sleeping areas for men and women, resident staff at visitor's disposal is unavailable and booking can be availed only through YHA Membership & Travel Centre.

The hostel grading system is based on the level of facilities provided and not on the social scene they offer. In fact, some of the smaller and remote hostels have an excellent reputation. Thus, YHA certifies its hostels as grade2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5 and AAA standards. Grade 2 hostels offer a higher level of comfort with slightly more facilities than Wilderness hostels and maintain the unique Australian country experience. Grade 3 have well equipped self-catering kitchens, with add-on facilities like shop and telephone within 250 meters, security options for guests' valuables, resident manager, 24 hour reception desk, and local tour information and booking facilities. Grade 4 offers facilities like credit card and EFTPOS payment, laundry service and twin share/double room accommodation, in addition to grade 3 facilities in a secure, relaxed environment. Grade 5 offers excellent accommodation and modern facilities within at city's popular locations like gardens, lakes, shopping centers and, restaurants and bars. Under AAA category, 5 star hostels provide Internet access, parking on site or public transport within 200 metres, an in-house cafe and bar, en-suited accommodation, two communal areas for guests and have organised on-site activities with provision of tour booking services.