How to Set up a Hostel

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Choose a location for your hostel.

   You should open a hostel in a place with a high volume of budget travelers passing through.
   
   Make sure it is easily accessible--travelers may not know their way around the area--and able to compete with others, if any, hostels in the region.
   
   Consider the cost of purchasing a building, paying for permits, buying beds, linens, and kitchenware, and any marketing expenses.
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   Step 2: Establish an initial investment for your hostel that will allow you to operate for at least a year.

   , Purchase the permits. ,, Most hostels feature a mixture of dorm rooms--5-20 beds (often bunk beds), sometimes separated by gender--and private rooms with 1-4 beds. , Use durable furniture that is easy to replace. , If you will be feeding guests, make sure you have the industrial
   - size equipment. ,,, It is best to hire a combination of locals and foreigners.
   
   If you are running a simple hostel, hire workers that can do everything.
   
   If your business is larger or more complicated, divide your staff between hostel management, reception, security, cleaning, cooking, etc. , Publicize your hostel at tourist sites around the area. , It is best to open a hostel while traffic is still slow so as to fix any lingering problems, then quickly recoup costs as the amount of travelers increase.
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   Step 3: Consult municipal authorities for any permits needed to operate a hostel (as well as a bar

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   Step 4: if your hostel will have one).

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   Step 5: Divide your hostel into areas: lodging

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   Step 6: dining

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   Step 7: kitchen

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   Step 8: bathroom

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   Step 9: reception

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    Step 10: common area

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    Step 11: Equip your lodging areas with beds and linens.

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    Step 12: Equip your dining area and common area (and bar

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    Step 13: if applicable) with tables

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    Step 14: chairs

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    Step 15: couches

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    Step 16: and other items.

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    Step 17: Set up your kitchen.

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    Step 18: Equip your reception area with a computer for bookings

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    Step 19: literature about tourist attractions in the area

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    Step 20: a first aid kit

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    Step 21: and publicity material.

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    Step 22: Set aside security lockers

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    Step 23: or a locked closet for travelers to keep their items safe.

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    Step 24: Hire staff.

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    Step 25: Register your hostel with international hostel organizations and booking websites.

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    Step 26: Begin accepting guests just before the busiest season of the year.

Detailed Guide

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