Join our Network and advertise your hostel, bunkhouse, camping barn or outdoor activity centre under the umbrella of Independent Hostels UK .
Join the 360+ accommodation owners who benefit from IHUK’s marketing expertise for just £190 a year. There are no other costs and NO COMMISSION to pay.
Just to keep your expectations in check here are some of the things we are good and bad at doing.
- We won’t instantaneously fill all your dates with guests.
- We will provide you with a steady stream of lovely guests who understand & enjoy hostel-style accommodation.
- We won’t take a huge chunk of your income as a commission.
- We will provide you with direct commission-free bookings.
- We won’t hide your contacts and website.
- We will put guests directly in touch with you (or your booking system).
- We won’t advertise on google using your brand name.
- We will push your website higher up google searches with our high-value link.
- We won’t prevent returning guests and guests acting on a recommendation from booking direct
- We will link to your website, your booking page and your social media
- We won’t baffle you with complex online systems and call centres
- We will be personally available to answer questions and make amendments
Your accommodation will be advertised in the following ways:
Multiple features on the IHUK website.
You will have a main online feature which pushes readers to your website, your own online booking and your social media. Our amazing website can read availability information from most calendars and booking systems, so we promote your availability seamlessly whist providing direct bookings.
In addition to your main feature your accommodation is highlighted on our interactive maps, long distance trails and special accommodation pages, which are very popular with our readers. These Discovery Pages take readers to your main feature where they can find out more about your accommodation and book direct.
A feature in the annual Independent Hostel Guide.
The only publication of its kind and now in its 30th year, this is an iconic reference book with an ever-increasing fan base. The guide book is sold in bookshops, online and at our hostels.
Group Bookings
The popular Group Enquiry button on our website allows group leaders to select the facilities and location they require and then prompts them to compose an email which we send direct to you for your personal attention. Our Group Enquiry button is used mostly by groups of families and friends, UK based outdoor enthusiasts and overseas student groups.
Regular targeted multi-media promotions throughout the year
Every week we run one or two promotions which highlight one of the aspects of the accommodation in our network. This can be anything from Accessible Accommodation to accommodation along a walking route like the West Highland Way. Your accommodation will appear on all the relevant promotions and we provide you with an App which you can use to add an extra highlight to your accommodation on each promotion. We use newsletters to keep you in touch with upcoming promotions. Some of our on going promotions
Social Networking for everyone
Accommodation in the network can use our app to post short up-to-the-minute messages that appear on our website and social media. This gives you great free exposure for your late availability, special offers, local events and other news.
If you have your own social networks we will automatically re-tweet your Twitter posts and endeavour to interact with as many of your Facebook and Instagram posts as we can. If you don’t have your own social media our app is a great way to get your news out onto the social networks.
A voice for the independent sector and social opportunities
During the pandemic IHUK represented hostels and bunkhouses within the hospitality industry. Lobbying for funding and providing support. This role has continued post-pandemic and IHUK continues to work with regional Governments to represent hostel-style accommodation.
IHUK has always acted as a social hub for the hostel owners in the network but now more than ever we host an active hostel owners’ community.
Additional benefits of joining the IHUK network include:
- Use of our branding and associated credibility.
- Access to 30 years of expertise in the travel and outdoor accommodation market.
- No loss of control. All enquiries and bookings go directly to you.
- Take control of your promotions by posting directly onto our website and social media.
- Talk to other hostel owners in the network.
- Free signage and other branded items.
- Enjoy our friendly, efficient, personal service.
What sort of bookings to expect
- Bookings from IHUK tend to be from people who understand hostel, bunkhouse and camping barn accommodation. Well behaved guests with realistic expectations.
- The majority of our bookings are from UK based groups. These range from family get-togethers to schools and come in all sizes.
- We also generate bookings from outdoor enthusiasts, independent travellers and people doing the long distance walks and cycling routes.
How the bookings will arrive
- Direct on your own booking system
- As enquiries from your own website or social media.
- Phone or email enquiries from our website
- Phone or email enquiries from our printed literature
- As batch emails from our group enquiry system
Your own website will rise higher on the google rankings just because we link to it.
We specialise in direct bookings by supporting your own marketing, website and social media.
There is generally no indication that a booking has come via us and no commission to pay. This is fine by us as long as you know we are always working, behind the scenes, to provide you with commission free direct bookings.
Is your accommodation right for the network?
Accommodation accepted into the network includes: hostels, bunkhouses, camping barns, activity centres and group accommodation. To be part of our network your accommodation should have communal living areas and self catering facilities (or a communal eating experience).
What does it cost?
For just £190 per year you can enjoy all the above. You will have one photo on your online feature and half a page with two photos in the guidebook. For an extra £60 you can have 10 photos on your online feature. If you have lots of lovely photos that sell your accommodation we would highly recommend the ‘Extra Photos’. There are no other charges, commissions or costs.
Email: stay@independenthostels.co.uk or give us a call on: 01629 580427