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Post by WillTravel on Oct 31, 2006 5:17:36 GMT -5
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14818080/The article says that hostels now have an increasing business from "older" people who like to prebook hostels rather than wing it. I'm sure Eagle and David and I and many others here can attest that this elderly trend has been happening for some time now  .
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Post by Eagle on Oct 31, 2006 14:14:16 GMT -5
Yes, I can certainly attest that many older people are now staying in Hostels. The only place where this isn't possible is in Bavaria as far as I know, but I wonder if this might change in future?
In my experience in England, Switzerland and Italy, I've encountered people of all ages. This ranges from about 18 or 19 to about 70 years old (in one of the Hostels in England). I have to disagree with the attitude of the young lady in the newspaper article though, as I don't compare this experience to a "senior staying in a college dorm". I've found that older travellers often get along well with the younger crowd, keeping in mind that during the day everyone tends to go out and tour the areas that are of most interest to them. If the younger Hostel residents want to party at night, that's not usually a problem either, as I just go to the room. I'm a bit too old for partying into the wee hours (I learned a long time ago what that feels like the next morning!), so just keep my own schedule even if staying in a Hostel.
From what I've seen, the trend of older travellers staying in Hostels is going to continue, and probably expand.
Cheers!!!
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Post by WillTravel on Oct 31, 2006 16:47:31 GMT -5
I think what the real trend is that people are doing backpacking/budget travel vacations during relatively short holidays from their jobs. The needs and flexibility of someone taking a two-week trip differ from someone who is doing a six-month ramble.
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Post by WillTravel on Oct 31, 2006 17:42:12 GMT -5
For Bavaria, it's only the official youth hostels that have that policy, and non-official ones have their own rules. If you have kids along at the official youth hostel, then it doesn't apply. And I read recently that if this policy has changed to allow >26 people on a space available basis.
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Post by WillTravel on Nov 18, 2006 0:54:13 GMT -5
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Post by SantaKlaus on Nov 22, 2006 4:14:26 GMT -5
The only place where this isn't possible is in Bavaria as far as I know, but I wonder if this might change in future? Probably not. HI-affiliated hostels receive government subsidies everywhere in Germany and don´t have to pay any taxes (not even VAT) as they declare themselves a non-profit organisation. Bavaria´s government - as a "donor" - has ruled that they must not give their rooms to persons older than 26 because without any restriction they would have a huge competetive advantage over independent hostels and budget hotels (which DO have to pay taxes - 6-digit-amounts yearly in most cases). I think that´s fair enough. As far as I know, they´re allowed to accomodate older persons if there´s enough room anyway, but charge more and pay the taxes for these revenues. However, more often than not, they simply don´t care. Just say you´re 26. There´s no tax inspector behind every corner 24/7 and they know that...  |
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Post by me on Nov 22, 2006 10:06:31 GMT -5
6-digit taxes!  i had no idea running a small, independent hostel was that lucrative! [taxes being on profits, after expenses income] independent hostels and budget hotels (which DO have to pay taxes - 6-digit-amounts yearly in most cases). I think that´s fair enough. |
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Post by SantaKlaus on Nov 27, 2006 5:16:02 GMT -5
6-digit taxes! i had no idea running a small, independent hostel was that lucrative! [taxes being on profits, after expenses income] Err, well, we´re running a BIG independent hostel and the big chunk of the taxes are not charged on the PROFIT (ours is not that impressive, really), but on the REVENUES. It´s called value-added tax (VAT). 16% of every Euro you spend in Germany (19% next year) go directly to the government, regardless if the business is profitable or not. Unless, of course, you spend that Euro in a YHA hostel. They can keep it all. Which isn´t too fair. |
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Post by me on Nov 27, 2006 14:48:32 GMT -5
ah, yes. good ol' Mehrwertsteuer. i'd forgotten that MwSt applies to services. i'd thought it was just products. or, is a hostel bed for the night a product or a service?
you're in Germany, Klaus? i'd thought you were in Austria. shows how much i pay attention!
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Post by SantaKlaus on Nov 28, 2006 6:28:31 GMT -5
Actually, I´m German, but I live in Vienna, but I appreciate it that we have a hostel in my old home town Munich now, too. As with the MwSt, they don´t make a difference between services and products. There´s only a reduced rate (7%) on food - but only for takeaway food. We had a funny haggle about our candy vending machine revenues. They argued we can´t guarantee that our guests eat the candy OUTSIDE the hostel, so they have to charge 16% on that as well...  |
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