Welcome to thUMBRELLA
You will notice some changes to Backpacker Trade News this week. Read more »
No vacancy?
The request for advice: We have booked accommodation in three separate resorts through the same company at a supposed discounted rate. At the time of booking we were advised that NO standard rooms were available and that we would have to book the next level. At the time, I thought it strange for all three resorts to be booked out seven weeks in advance… Read more »
What’s in a name?
Delegates in Darwin were told to drop the term “backpacker” if they want to attract more international students. We asked some of them what they thought of the idea… Read more »
Is it because I is Australian?
The Scenario
An Australian backpacker arrives at a hostel and is given a room with other Australian backpackers. Later, he or she finds out that international backpackers are given rooms in another, more attractive part of the hostel. Read more »
Batten down the hatches… for now
Guest columnist: David Lamyman, President, BOA NSW
There is a recession on its way. That’s the biggest challenge facing the industry for the next year. Read more »
STA catches the mood
There is plenty of evidence to suggest holidays are now seen as an essential item of expenditure, with households preferring to forego a new television than their annual break when planning the family budget.
Sorry, this bed’s taken
The scenario – a booking is made, several weeks in advance, for a particularly busy time of the year, when the hostel is likely to be full. The backpacker arrives at 7pm that evening, and presents your e-mail which confirms the booking.
Best job just got better
“Bring on 2009, we promise you we’ll continue to shine!” were the infamous words in our New Year e-mail. Well shine it didn’t, and rain it did, with the central north coast flooding, Ingham under water and roads north blocked.
No need to take it personally
Many suppliers will extend credit terms to backpacker hostels and tour operators as opposed to cash on delivery.
Reasons to be cheerful…
Despite the credit crunch, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead.
Names can sometimes hurt you
I couldn’t help noticing the Best Hostel Booking Engine Award at last year’s Golden Backpack Awards gala dinner was keenly contested. Congratulations to the winner, Hostelworld.com, and to the finalists.
ACCC must see the light
I am intrigued at the reports in Backpacker Trade News that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning the backpacking sector it faces an audit next year. Read more »
The devil’s in the detail
It’s understandable business practice for a supplier to undercut the price a competitor offers to attract business,
knowing that consumers will shop around on price. Read more »
How are you doing? It depends..
Everyone in the business world is in agreement, whether they be government officials, not-for-profit industry bodies, town councils, business owners or managers: a reporting service that allows businesses to compare their key performance results against their competitors would be very useful – particularly if the reporting was frequent and based on live updates. Read more »
What happens when the cash runs out?
When the cash runs out in a business, everyone takes what they can to salvage something from the smoking ruins. Read more »
Always use protection
Creating, building and protecting a brand are essential to successfully marketing a backpacker/tourism business. But what about the legal side? The better the legal protection, the more valuable the brand. Read more »
Don’t be mistaken over identity
Backpacker hostels routinely scan ‘proof of identity’ documents to verify the identity of payers who use credit cards. Read more »
Credit where credit’s overdue…
The collapse of Travel Bugs came as a rude shock to 160 suppliers who came to realise they had ‘financed’ the business to the tune of $1.1 million ($6,875 on average) by giving it credit. Read more »