Youth hostels in Hesse: change, diversity and new challenges

Youth hostels in Hesse: change, diversity and new challenges

The youth hostels in Hesse are changing. They have increasingly adapted to the needs of a diversified guest structure. Student groups and young people are no longer welcome. Older people as well as groups such as choirs and music groups also got a taste for and discovered the youth hostels as their new contact points. In the youth hostel in Hilders-Bannhards, which is managed privately and belongs to the German Youth Hostors (DJH), these changes can be felt particularly strongly. Here the operators Felix, Nora, Jasmin and Florian Auth report that the booking situation normalizes again after the Corona pandemic has left its mark down to the company.

But not everything runs smoothly. The youth hostels in the Fulda and Rhön region are still in competition with cheap hotels and hostels. This challenge, coupled with increased operating costs and an acute shortage of skilled workers, often makes the operators despair. The idyllic location of the youth hostel in Oberbernhards also makes it difficult to gain enough staff. The lack of connection to public transport also discourages potential visitors who arrive without a car.

modernization and sustainability

The trend towards modernization is noticeable in the industry. In Hesse, two youth hostels have opened their gates again after extensive renovation work. This also includes the Höchst monastery and Hessenstein Castle, which was recently included in the DJH network. The operators see the renovation -related changes as necessary in order to keep up in competition. For example, Hessenstein Castle relies on a sustainable orientation with modern heating systems and the use of recycled materials. Over 50 percent of the fleet of the youth hostels also consist of electric vehicles.

But the challenges are still immense. The increase in dumping prices and the massive competition through short -term bookings do not make it easier for the hostels to make ends meet. More than 40 percent of the beds in the Wetzlar youth hostel are designed for single or double rooms in order to also attract families and companies as guests. The demand in Wetzlar shows that the concept works, especially after reopening after modernization work. However, this is often a jump into the cold water; The industry has not yet completely recovered from the Corona effects, and the pressure remains high.

A look into the future

The DJH board warns that the competitive pressure in the industry remains noticeable, while the price sensitivity continues to increase among the guests. The design of the offer is also crucial for the non-survival of the youth hostels. Not only for school classes, but also for families, friends and people with disabilities are still attractive contact points. An inclusive youth hostel is also being planned and is to be opened in Marburg in December, which is another sign of the progressive change in the industry.

Find out more about this development at Fuldaer Zeitung Augsburger General and the effects of the corona pandemy on the industry at Bundestag .