I've been out here for years, and I've noticed a real decline in what was once one of the joys of travel
A combination of upmarket backpackers, marked reliance on overpriced meals, drinks and services has seen many places loose their goodwill
Many lack free water, open kitchens, and very few can be relied on to give honest advice because of commissions
It's time we paid more for rooms and reclaimed our travelling experience
>>1244213
Just becoming corporatized and samey, thanks to globalization.
>>1244213
Finally
Not as fun as it was a few years ago, that's for sure.
Maybe in western countries, but they're still pretty awesome places in Asia/Africa/Latin America.
The only way I think they're really fucked now is because of smartphones - everyone has them now so people use them as a crutch to avoid social interaction.
>>1244256
Why not just claim that tourism is ruining backpacker hostels?
Here's the solution; Stop staying with chain hostels. Only book with locally owned hostels.
>>1244287
tourism trends and the markets they open is a product of globalization fgt.
>>1244323
I was joking that you can't be a globetrotting tourist and seriously complain about globalization, but since /pol/'s neuroses are starting to pollute /trv/, perhaps you can...
>>1244305
Chain hostels arent so bad
They are usually party hostels anyway
I think a bigger issue is hostels hiring staff who don't even have passports, don't speak English or don't know the town they work in
Do hostels provide lockers of some kind? I guess maybe it varies from hostel to hostel. I've never stayed in one but taking my first solo trip later this month and figured it would be a great way to meet some people rather than just being alone the entire time. Not that being alone is a huge issue, but it's fun to have people to shoot the shit with, especially from different parts of the world.
My main concern is the security of my personal items. Would prefer not to haul around everything I have all the time but it would really suck to come back to the hostel and my stuff is gone.
>>1244459
Chain hostels are good in terms of reliability, cleanliness, being modern, locations, and transfers but not much else. The thing that sets apart chain hostels and locally owned are the people. Local residents start up private hostels because they enjoy it. Chain hostels hire foreign workers or students who are there for the language education and/or the 9-5 pay. Chain hostels won't get out of their way to make you feel special nor will you get a decent local's tips. Another thing, local hostels do they own little twist and specialties to set them apart from other hostels. Chains are just about the exact same everywhere you go. Chains are in it for the money, locals are in it because they take pride in being your host to their city.
>>1244466
Most upmarket hostels provide lockers
I take my own bag locks and cable my bag to the bed sometimes
If the hostel checks passports it's much less of an issue
I generally keep my money and passport either on my person when i sleep or with reception
But let it be said, few people go to these lengths
>>1244466
You have three options for securing your belongings at a Hostel: Keep them on your person, secure them in a locker, secure them with reception. Which combination of these methods you use will depend on each situation and the items you have. Just do what >>1244472 suggests. Cable and zipper locks can be cut, smashed or even surreptitiously bypassed in under a minute but they're enough to deter thieves if your bag is somewhere within view of others. Keeping your belongings safe isn't much work, just make a conscious effort at first then after a week or two it will be habit. Most theft is opportunistic so if you force thieves to face some risk when stealing your items that is usually enough deterrent. I've never had stuff stolen personally but after speaking to people who have nearly every instance was easily preventable - ipad left unattended while charging, wallet left out while showering, valuables carried in handbag with one flimsy strap etc.
Another thing is that with review site you can get an idea of how secure the hostel is before you book. Many places will have additional features like 24hr reception, code/card/key access to the foyer and for each room, CCTV etc. Be on guard if the place seems to attract a lower class of backpacker, or if there are a lot of random people coming in from the street without reception keeping an eye on things.
>>1244325
But globalization is cancer.
Every inner city around the western and developing world looks and feels the same. No matter if you go to Hongkong, NY, Vienna, Buenos Aires or even Addis Abeba. It's polluted by the same companies, same chain stores and the same hostels with every kind of local culture and tradition gone or perverted to a 30min shows for "theme park tourism"
>>1244287
>tourism
More like cheapass broke shitpackers ruining hostels by taking advantage of people's goodwills.
>>1244484
Sounds good breh. How much you book ahead is up to you. It's always a good idea to book 2 nights if you're coming off the back of a long flight so you have a specific destination to go to from the airport. Beyond that, I generally book 1 night in a place at the next town I'm going to, then if I like it I'll extend the stay. It is possible to just show up without a reservation but I like knowing where my next move is. If you're going somewhere really busy during high season you may need to be a few nights in advance but for the most part that isn't necessary.
>>1244489
Yea, I'm flying into Zurich, staying there for a total of 3 nights. One day of arrival/sleep/food, then one day roaming the city, and then going to try to take a day trip into the mountains. After that I'm heading to Germany for a few nights, then Belgium for the rest of the trip. Will probably just research the next hotel/hostel at night in my room before I head out.
>>1244325
Globalization might be the wrong word then but the trend of large international travel companies to move into the low budget accommodation market pricing out local operators by economies of scale and cross subsidization has had a negative impact.
>>1244213
You grew older.
>>1244524
Come to think of it, it might be a reflection on the gentrification of major cities as well with less "bad areas" for hostels to set up cheaply the only people who can afford property to set up in major cities are chains.
I don't think so, at least in Europe they aren't. I was there last summer and they all seemed to be full or overbooked.
It's a changing market though. A dorm room with a few bunks and common room isn't enough anymore. The people traveling and staying in them want their stay to be formative experience. They want activities, an environment that encourages socialization, and a little more luxury then what you'd traditionally find in a hostel. I feel like hostels are starting to take the place of a travel agencies in some respects. It's why you are starting to see more and more "boutique" hostels everywhere, places where people are willing to pay extra for a social environment and upscale feel. Most hostels these days are more about the experience rather than just being a cheap bed for the night.
It's a feast or famine market though. I know a lot of these places struggle to turn a profit in their off seasons and as soon the economy takes a hit many will be forced to close their doors. Business is good for them right now though. More young people are traveling than ever before, Americans especially.
>>1244539
european hostels were good, but many were very expensive in some places
they have kitchens though generally, which is in my top three most important things about a hostel
in asia many "hostels" are just a few rooms tacked onto a building used as a restaurant/warehouse/shop
dirt cheap though at 3-6$US/night
what disappointments me though is that many citties and hostels have excluded free public space to hang out, either by banning drinking, not having a common room
they want to use guests as a captive market now
Haven't been backpacking yet, but will be in a few months.
Question.
If you're staying in a hostel, how do you bring girls back to your place? You're sleeping in a room with a bunch of other people, that doesn't seem like its going to work with local girls.
Have traveled a lot for work so used to fancy hotels and that makes it very easy.
>>1244773
You don't. Even with girls that are staying in the hostel too it sucks, you have to fuck them in the bathroom or wake up your whole dorm room.
If you're in the 3rd world you can usually find a "love hotel" or "motel" for short time usage nearby. They're for people that live with their parents or for people that are having an affair generally.
But if you're going to go after local girls and you want to spend your time with them, just cut the hassle and get an AirBnB. Regular hotels will sometimes give you trouble when bringing a local girl back, either stopping you or making you pay extra. And it's usually easier to get a girl to come back to a regular apartment when you have the whole thing.
>>1244480
This really isn't true. You aren't venturing out of tourist districts enough...those chains are there for people like you.
>>1244782
That sounds fucking awful (the bathroom thing).
Is this whole backpacking thing just a meme?
>>1244213
Airbnb is destroying hostels just as thoroughly as it is destroying hotels, perhaps moreso as at least hotels still get boomer travelers. That and this younger generation, in general (obviously there are exceptions), has no interest in roughing it at all.
>>1244773
Me and my mates were in Prague. 5 of us were sharing a room.
My mate pulled a fat girl in her thirties with kids, when we were steaming drunk, but he came back to the room with the girl like 20 minutes after all of us, when the lights were off. So none of us noticed until we heard them talking the next morning.
>>1244802
Go to her's or find a flophouse. The "where am I gonna bang this skank/prostitue becuase I cant do it at my place" has existed for thousands of years. Besides, there really is nothing fun or memorable about running through a conveyor belt of European whores. You'll realize that after you are done.
>>1244805
Local girls, not whores, anon.
>>1244808
if she's going to bang you at a hostel she's a whore. maybe not the kind that gets paid directly.
>>1244525
Came here to post this
>>1244811
is this a 'cuck' that everyone is talking about these days?
>>1244808
Banging local girls is one of the best experiences you can have while traveling, don't let any cucks tell you differently.
>>1244480
>I don't like big cities and blame it all on globalization give me attention
Don't go to big cities then.
>>1244480
as if culture is gone, it's not like they destroy all old buildings and remove museums or people stops having their own traditions. It's just not as accessible as just going there taking pictures of locals in "indigenous clothes" feeling like you've experienced some new culture.
Globalization isn't ruining anything, international le free market companies are.
I'm confused, I thought cucks are the ones who think banging girls in bathrooms is fine. You know, cos they're all liberal and shit. I don't think you alt-right retards even know yourselves, do you?
>>1244826
How does one bang local girls though, whilst staying in hostels?
I like to have fun, be loud, move around, when having sex... not just awkwardly thrusting on a bunk bed...
>>1244484
Put your phone, all your money and important documents in a money belt under your clothes while sleeping. Never leave them unattended, even while showering.
Don't bring anything else that is valuable and you'll be fine. Nobody wants to steal your dirty pants, and you really do not need an ipad while traveling. Seriously.
I've stayed in multiple hostels and never had a problem, so long as I followed these rules. Check reviews for the place online if you can too.
>>1244773
I just bring them back anyways. If the other people in the dorm can't handle 20 minutes of sex then whatever. I'm exceptionally quiet when I pack my stuff, don't Skype at 2AM, etc. Sex is my "get to be loud" time.