Hostel

Hostels may offer long-term lodging to guests for free or at a discount in exchange for work as a receptionist or in housekeeping.

[citation needed] Even during the financial crisis of 2007–2008, many hostels reported increased occupancy numbers at a time when hotel bookings were down.

It showed that youth travel can lead to higher overall spending due to longer trips than traditional vacations.

[citation needed] Guests are advised to be respectful of others: In August 1909, Richard Schirrmann, a teacher in Germany, first published his idea of inexpensive accommodation for youth travel after leading a school camping trip that was derailed by a thunderstorm.

Schirrmann received considerable support and opened a makeshift hostel for hikers in the school in which he taught.

Schirrmann served in World War I and after observing the Christmas truce on the Western Front in December 1915, he wondered whether "thoughtful young people of all countries could be provided with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each other".

[citation needed] In 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the honorary president of AYH (now Hostelling International USA).

[citation needed] During World War II, many hostels in Europe were temporarily shut down or placed under the control of the Hitler Youth.

After the Great Recession, the industry grew rapidly in New York City, Rome, Buenos Aires, and Miami.