On the one hand, travelers who want to meet new people, make friends, learn about a new culture. On the other hand, hostel owners who need employees who are receptive and who can compose the differential that every hostel must have: the atmosphere.
In the midst of all this, the opportunity to optimize what would be an empty bed into an attraction for your business.
More and more hostels are registering on platforms aimed at volunteer exchange students in order to exchange accommodation for work.
Among the most famous platforms are Wordpackers, Helpx and Workaway.
Here, travelers looking for unique and inexpensive experiences offer different services in exchange for accommodation and, depending on the type of agreement, food.
Another way to get volunteers working in your hostel is to publicize the availability of vacancies on your own social networks or on websites that are strategic.
Volunteering Benefits
If, on the one hand, the traveler saves on accommodation, the hostel also saves on paying employees.
And don’t think that you can only find people to work at the reception. Here, creativity is a differential to take advantage of this opportunity and attract more guests.
Thus, it is possible to find volunteers who are photographers, videographers, digital influencers, design and marketing professionals who can revolutionize the way your service is sold on the internet, for example.
There are also those hostels that open vacancies for volunteers in the animation and promotion of parties, to prepare a good drink at the bar or simply socialize with guests.
The Hostel Atmosphere
Undoubtedly, 10 out of 10 hostel owners who open their doors to volunteer guests mention the change in the environment as a positive point.
Volunteer travelers bring spontaneity to the relationship with guests, making the place more attractive and welcoming.
Different Languages
Another attraction is the cultural exchange itself. In addition to offering this exchange experience that only a hostel can do with mastery, recruiting volunteers who speak other languages will undoubtedly be a differential in your service.
Routine
Volunteers who seek accommodation in hostels live not only from socialization activities.
There are many places that ask, in exchange for accommodation, that the traveler performs activities related to the maintenance and cleaning of the hostel, or even make sure that there is an attendant at the reception during the night.
It is important to note that the duration of this work will depend on the agreement between the hostel and the volunteer.
There are those who start making agreements with a minimum stay of seven days, and there are also hostels that prefer to set a minimum time of 30 days to make the partnership effective. It all depends on your intention and need.
And speaking of workload, don’t forget that the volunteer will not be available all the time. Most hostels have agreements with an average of 24 to 30 hours per week.