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

          80% name Hostelworld.com [http://www.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 
[http://www.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 
[http://www.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