Hostelworld.com Bookings Reveal Emerging Travel Hotspots
JUNE 29, 2009 - Hostelworld.com, the leading provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market, today announced substantial industry growth in new destinations across the globe, including Moldova and Columbia, where over the past year bookings grew 600 percent and 266 percent, respectively*. Ukraine hostel bookings increased by 181 percent during this time period, while Uruguay experienced growth of 147 percent.
Top Cities emerging as popular travel destinations are:
o Kiev, Ukraine - 218 percent
o Zadar, Croatia - 160 percent
o Hiroshima, Japan - 89 percent
Other regions that experienced significant growth in hostel bookings over the past year include:
o El Salvador - 104 percent
o South Korea - 86 percent
o Malaysia - 45 percent
"Growth in these markets is driven in part by the economy and those seeking more affordable choices in accommodations," said Hostelworld.com spokesperson Aisling White. "Additionally, the spirit of adventure, the desire of travelers to seek out more authentic travel experiences and the maturing of the hostel industry are also driving this movement."
The growth is also driven by a wealth of information on hostels and travel made available through sites such as Hostelworld.com. Award winning travel videos allow individuals to take a walking tour of remote locations or discover the 10 things you absolutely should know about your destination. City guides and podcasts provide a breakdown on cities all over the world in terms of what to see and do. Millions of user-reviews and a social network equip budget-conscious travelers with an arsenal of knowledge provided by like-minded individuals. With these tools, travelers are more informed than ever before, and this knowledge is helping to drive the budget, independent and youth travel industry in markets across the globe.
*Data compiled from Hostelworld.com bookings - Quarter 1 2008 to Quarter 1 2009
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