DUBLIN, August 1, 2012 (ANTARA/PRNewswire) --

94% open to hostel accommodation as holiday makers look to cut costs;

80% name Hostelworld.com as the most trusted hostel booking website

With no end in sight to the global financial crisis, many industries are continuing to suffer. One sector going against this trend is hostel accommodation. Research released today from Hostelworld.com, the number one hostel booking website, in association with Lonely Planet, the world's leading travel content provider, shows that 94% of people going on holiday this summer would consider hostel accommodation. Over 80% of those surveyed also named Hostelworld.com as the most trusted hostel booking website.

The global study, which questioned over 5000 people in 141 countries, found that the accommodation of choice for today's traveller is governed by cost. Of those questioned, nearly 90% would not be prepared to pay more than $100(US) per night for accommodation, with the majority (54%) prepared to cut their accommodation budget to have their holiday of choice.

The result is a booming trade for the global hostel industry with holiday makers reaping the benefit by making their trip go further. Half of those surveyed said they are looking to take a longer holiday than usual - 15 days or more.

Feargal Mooney, CEO from Hostelworld.com said; "We are extremely honoured to be selected as the most trusted hostel booking website. And the message coming through from our survey is loud and clear -people want value for money and they are seeing hostel accommodation as a way to do that. There has been a renaissance in the way hostels are perceived, driven by exciting new innovations at hostel properties worldwide and by more people looking to stretch their travel budget. This is opening up a new market to the hostel industry and one that we expect to see coming back now they have experienced the high quality of accommodation available."

About Hostelworld.com

Hostelworld.com is the leading global provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market. We offer a huge range of 27,000 hostels, bed and breakfasts, and budget hotels in 180 countries worldwide and are the only hostel booking site to offer a service guarantee. Our site also features over 3.5 million guest reviews, award-winning travel videos & podcasts, free customised 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

About Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet is the world's leading travel content provider. Started in 1973, we enable curious travellers to experience the world and get to the heart of a place via guidebooks to every destination on the planet, an award-winning website, a suite of mobile and digital travel products and a dedicated travel community. Visit us at http://www.lonelyplanet.com.

Source: Hostelworld.com in association with Lonely Planet

Kirstyn MacRandal, +44(0)20-7842-3269, Kirstyn.MacRandal@speedcommunications.com

Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2012