Flowering hybrids

Backpackers in this part of the world will be familiar with the range and variety of hostels in the region. Usually they are independently owned and of varying levels of quality, from very basic accommodation to something more approaching a budget hotel. But the few chains that exist tend to have hostels that could be counted on one hand. It might seem, therefore, that the hostel segment of the hospitality market does not have much potential in terms of investment by the large hotel chains. But that’s where you would be wrong – according to a recent report by hotel consultancy HVS Global Hospitality Services. One event mentioned in the report in particular seems to be pointing the way towards a change in the shape of the hospitality market and the growth of the hostel segment. This was the takeover by UK travel agent Cox & Kings of the second largest hostel operator in Europe, German company Meininger, with the aim of building an international hotel and hostel group. An