Hostel Renaissance: From Budget Beds to Scalable Lifestyle Brands

Once seen purely as low-cost options for backpackers, hostels are now at the forefront of design, community, and scalable hospitality innovation. A new generation of operators is blending the social spirit of hostels with elevated design, tech-enabled operations, and brand experiences that rival boutique hotels — all while staying agile and accessible.

This session brings together the leaders redefining the hostel category, turning once-niche formats into profitable, investment-attractive lifestyle brands that resonate with younger and more value-conscious travelers.

Key topics include:

How hostels are evolving from beds to branded experiences

Merging community, design, and affordability at scale

New revenue streams: F&B, events, coliving, remote work

Expansion strategies and the rise of hostel “chains”

Competing with hotels while staying true to hostel DNA