Opinion
- Treating customers like this is unAustralian
  
  Travel agent Sarah Gohlke is unimpressed with how some people in the trade are operating…
  
  I write this out of complete frustration and an intolerance for injustice. Read more »
- Insurance rip-off…
  
  Queensland hostel operator Brent Gemmell is unimpressed with the constant rise of insurance premiums…
  
  What is happening with our insurance? As an industry we have been stung well over the top for a long time now. But this year we have reached new heights. Read more »
- ‘Australia must cut prices and re-enchant backpackers’
  
  Australian tourism operators need to get real and drop their prices, while the country as a whole needs to ease backpackers’ visa restrictions and improve its promotional efforts, according to travel writer David Whitley. Read more »
- McEvoy positive for year ahead
  
  After a “challenging” 2011, this year will be one of “opportunity”, according to Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy. Read more »
- From commissions to Koreans: ABiC debates continue
  
  After Sydney’s successful Adventure and Backpacker Industry Conference drew to a close last Thursday, operators took the rare chance of all being in town together to arrange an extra informal meeting to further discuss some of the burning issues to have arisen from the conference. Read more »
- Just a brainstorm in a schooner…
  
  Scotty’s Beach House owner Boyd Scott suggests that while most of the industry is in Sydney for expo week, it makes perfect sense to hold an informal brainstorming session on how best to put Australia back in the tourist`s eye. Read more »
- ATA’s tribute to the newly retired Ken Hart
  
  Greg Zammit from Adventure Tours Australia bids farewell to his business partner of 22 years, Ken Hart, who retired two weeks ago. Read more »
- The widening gap between UK school-leavers and Australia
  
  Tom Griffiths, founder of Gapyear.com, argues that those students who miss out on a University place are also missing out on a gap year in Australia due to an industry system that fails them. Read more »
- Tourism? But Australia’s got mining…
  
  Scotty’s Beach House owner Boyd Scott argues Australia’s tourism industry is sinking into irrelevance while the country’s decision-makers are blinded by the mining boom.
  
  “And don`t forget to say “G`day” to `em: you wouldn`t want to make a liar of me, now, would you?” So ended an amiable Paul Hogan Tourism Australia ad, where he told us Aussies how to treat the hordes of international tourists that he`d lured over here with his famous “Shrimp on the barbie” ad campaign. Read more »
- It’s time for tough questions and positive leadership
  
  Destination Melbourne chief executive Chris Buckingham argues that James Packer’s uncomfortable home truths about Australia’s tourism industry should be listened to.
  
  James Packer was strident in his views on the state of the Australian tourism industry over the weekend. One of the richest men in the country did not have a lot of good things to say.
  
  Read more »
- A little help please Julia
  
  Honestly, I would rather eat a jar of Marmite than talk about politics so believe me when I say, this isn’t a political rant…
  Read more »
- Queensland fails tourism moment of truth
  
  Traveltrends.biz editor Martin Kelly says Queensland has a lot to offer – but the sunshine state must face up to a few home truths.
  
  The political thought police are back in action in Queensland – and the news is all bad for the state’s tourism industry, which needs honesty, not self-deception, in what is shaping as a pivotal period in its history. Read more »

Sydney Harbour YHA takes Bounce’s Hostelworld crown

Sydney Harbour YHA has stolen Bounce’s crown as the best hostel in Australia, while the Adventure Queenstown Hostel & Chalet has retained the New Zealand title, according to Hostelworld’s October rankings.

The top 10 charts are based purely on the reviews left on the Hostelworld website in the previous calendar month, with only those hostels receiving at least 10-15 reviews within the month being considered. They are unrelated to the Hostelword ratings, which are based on a six-month average.

Following Sydney Harbour YHA, the Australian top five hostels in October 2011, in descending order, were Dreamtime Travellers Rest, Surf n Sun Beachside Backpackers, Bounce and Globetrotter International.

The top 10 was completed by Wake Up!, Home at The Mansion, Caravella Backpackers Cairns City Waterfront, Nomads Byron Bay and Backpack Oz.

In New Zealand, Nomads Queenstown was second, followed by Rotorua Central Backpackers, Jailhouse Accommodation, City Garden Lodge, Kiwi Basecamp, Taupo Urban Retreat, Around The World Backpackers, Surf ‘N’ Snow Backpackers and Nomads Auckland.

By Andrew Westbrook · November 4th, 2011 at 4:39 pm