Hostel emphasis changes

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 6

Hostel emphasis changes

Increasing competition from private operators in the “backpacker” accommodation market has caused the New Zealand Youth Hostels Association to improve its facilities throughout New Zealand. The association’s national marketing manager, Mr Paul Crooks, said that during recent years there had been a definite increase in the number of opposition hostels and in existing operators offering lower-priced accommodation. “The competition is good. It has meant we have had to spend a lot of

money improving our hostels.” Last year the association spent $1.9 million on projects, including the establishment of new hostels in Auckland and Rotorua. A variety of new equipment, including floor coverings, bedding and recreational equipment has been bought. All the hostels now have facilities open during the day and many are open until later at night. “Unfortunately, there is still an image about of youth hostels having a lot of rules, but a lot of the

old restrictions have disappeared,” Mr Crooks said. The association was putting more emphasise on marketing its hostels both in New Zealand and overseas, and was not too concerned about losing hostellers to competing operators, he said. Last year the number of overseas visitors staying overnight at the association’s hostels increased by 15 per cent, from 236,627 (1986/87) to a record 272,537. This was offset by a four per cent decline in

the number of New Zealand hostellers, with 322,115 overnight stayers. Mr Crooks said that in the past 10 years there had been an upsurge in the number of young people in the 18 to 30 year age group visiting New Zealand. Many of them were attracted by the outdoor activities, such as tramping, ski-ing and mountaineering. “The ‘ word is out overseas that New Zealand is the place to visit if you are interested in doing these sort of things.”