Hostelworld Launches ‘Surprises and Delights’ Campaign in San Francisco

A leading online accommodation booking website, Hostelworld.com, is launching their #HostelworldTreats ‘Surprise and Delight’ campaign, creating memorable experiences for their fans in San Francisco.

Hundreds of travelers and Hostelworld.com fans in San Francisco are being surprised with treats and rewards during the next few months including free accommodation, tickets to attractions, exclusive travel packs, free hospitality evenings and more. Fans simply need to follow @hostelworld using the hashtag #HostelworldTreats to get involved.

In addition to the surprise treats, Hostelworld will launch the Adventure Taxi on Tuesday, October 22 offering travelers in London and Edinburgh the experience of a lifetime.

Lucky travelers will be invited to have a ride in the Adventure Taxi via a surprise phone call at their hostel on the special Hostelworld.com Adventure Taxi hotline. The Adventure Taxi will whisk passengers away on a surprise adventures, such as flying lessons, whitewater rafting, aerobatic stunt flights and more, all unlocked through the spin of a Wheel of Fortune in the back of the cab.

The Adventure Taxi, will run for one week and is open to guests booking accommodation in London and Edinburgh via Hostelworld.com between 22-26^th October and 29-30^th October respectively.

You can follow the Hostelworld.com Adventure Taxi from the 22^nd October on Twitter through the campaign hashtag #HostelworldTreats and find out more about #HostelworldTreats now on Twitter @hostelworld.

View the Hostelworld.com Adventure Taxi video here: http://youtu.be/AaQoNLmb9tU

A global market leader for over 10 years, Hostelworld.com is a leading provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market and has been voted the most trusted hostel booking site in 2012. It offers confirmed online reservations for over 35,000 hostels, B&B’s and budget hotels in 180 countries worldwide and is the only hostel booking site to offer a service guarantee. The site also offers budget travelers over 3.5 million guest reviews, award-winning travel videos & podcasts, free customized city guides, a travel social network and more. Hostelworld.com is headquartered in Dublin and is fully owned and operated by Web Reservations International Ltd (WRI). Start planning your next adventure at http://www.hostelworld.com.

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Hostelzoo.com, hostel price comparison website, opens own backpacker hostel on tropical island

After relocating their HQ to one of Australia’s hidden gems, Great Keppel Island, Hostelzoo are returning the ex backpacker haunt to its former glory with Australasia’s most exclusive island hostel: Hostelzoo Island Eco Backpackers!

Operating hostels and working in the travel industry for over two decades, Hostelzoo knows what makes a hostel special. As the only backpacker-style accommodation in the Keppels, Hostelzoo Island provides new opportunities for travelers looking to get off the beaten path and unwind with a genuine island experience.

Hostelzoo Island is set within an ex-YHA property, known as the GKI Holiday Village. The Village is totally self-sufficient, generating its own electricity and relying on rainwater for living needs. Guests will experience the best of this rustic beach community, while living alongside nature in the island’s sandy surrounds.

The hostel is all about simplicity, accommodating only 12 travelers in two six-bedded dorms. Hostelzoo’s focus is on the backpacker experience instead of a ‘bums in beds’ mentality. With such limited numbers, it’s certainly not intended as a money making venture but as an opportunity for intrepid travelers to get access to what they’ve been missing on the East Coast backpacker trail.

The island has everything the independent traveler requires for their castaway adventure. Activities include wandering 17 secluded white sand beaches, swimming in crystal-clear tropical waters, exploring reefs teeming with marine wildlife and miles of bushwalking tracks.

Hostelzoo founder Scott Ryan said that there had been a lot of misinformation on the backpacker trail about the island. “Great Keppel used to be a popular backpacker haunt but after the closure of the island’s major resort, most people believed that the entire island had closed. These rumours really affected the island’s local accommodation providers. In reality, this place still has a great traveller vibe and we want to share it with as many backpackers as we can.”

Hostelzoo Island is now open and accepting bookings through their price comparison website at Hostelzoo.com. For more information or to contact Hostelzoo Island directly, visit gkibackpackers.com.

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HostelBookers has summer sale deals worldwide

Hostelbookers even has summer deals in New York City, close to Times Square (© 2010 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com)

HostelBookers, the budget accommodation specialist, has just launched its big summer sale campaign by offering customers the possibility to book selected hostels at discounted prices – from 20% to 60% off their normal rates.

Travelers can choose from some 200 quality properties across 28 top destinations worldwide. Bookings need to be made by July 31 and travel completed by September 30.

Three examples of European-based properties participating in the campaign are Brianza Hotel, centrally located and only 10 minutes from the Duomo, Milan’s cathedral.  Restaurants, shop, entertainment and must-see local attractions such as the Sforza Castle and the Saint Ambrogio Basilica are all close by. The hotel features tastefully furnished guest rooms equipped with every modern comfort and now with 50% off. There is a charming lounge bar providing the ideal location to relax.

In Germany, Jugendherberge Berlin – Am Wannsee is offering 40% off. The hostel overlooks Wannsee Lake and is only 15 minutes away from Berlin city center, the vivid metropolitan German capital with unique shopping, culture and parties. The city of Potsdam with its famous Sanssouci castle is within easy reach. The hostel offers 4-bed rooms and a number of single and double rooms to cater for independent travelers, couples, families and groups. It is the ideal place for activity enthusiasts to skate or swim, walk in the forest, hire bicycles or enjoy a cruise on the lake.

Lisbon Calling is offering 60% off. This newly established hostel, fully renovated is located in the heart of Lisbon’s historic city center. The main tourist attractions, popular shops and the Bairro Alto nightlife are all within walking distance. The decor is stylish down to the last detail and combined with the staff’s warm welcome, it’s not surprising this is one of HostelBookers’ top properties (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/lisbon/)

There are even deals in New York City, including the Sohotel, located off the historic Bowery Boulevard in the heart of downtown which is offering 20% off; AAE Hostels New York-JFK, and Days Inns  (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/new-york-city/).

“This campaign confirms, once again, our aim to provide further value to our customers and reinforce our great relationship with the properties,” says David Smith, COO at HostelBookers. “HostelBookers is the only major budget accommodation website in the travel industry that doesn’t apply a service charge, so there are no additional fees or hidden costs attached to its summer sale – just great value and some of the lowest prices for summer accommodation around”

See: http://www.hostelbookers.com/summer-accommodation-deals/

–Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate

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