Against the backdrop of increasing consolidation of major Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), a group of leading hostels and industry associations met during WYSTC Sydney in 2013 to formulate a position statement regarding online distribution practices.
The group stated in 2013 “Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and youth travel accommodation operators are mutually dependent. OTAs have benefited by broadening the variety of product they offer, while youth travel accommodation providers have gained distribution to customers in markets where they are less well known. Youth travellers have gained most – from being able to access a broad range of accommodation options, coupled with customer reviews and location content.
Nevertheless the accommodation operators are the ultimate providers of the product; they alone should determine where it is sold and at what price. There is thus a need for a sensible reset to be found in a relationship which, over time, has become less and less commercially balanced. A number of fair practices need to be established to ensure product sovereignty rests with the operators. Equally OTAs that provide genuine value to operators can be assured of continued support in terms of competitive product and good availability.”
What followed was the first version of the Sydney Declaration. Since 2013 the hostel industry has debated, revised and updated the Sydney Declaration. Please click the links below for more information on the background of the Sydney Declaration, who has signed it and how to sign it yourself.
Sydney Declaration 2017
Addressing the relationship between Online Travel Agents and Hostels
Agreements between Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and Hostels should be reflective of the following principles:
- OTAs should seek prior approval from Hostels for using property and/or brand names in advertisements and promotions;
- Agreements should be based on a legal framework that does not require or enforce rate and availability parity;
- Agreements should include fair and reasonable notice periods and times;
- Agreements should be written in plain and precise language;
- Agreements should be in line with trade, competition and consumer laws in the Hostel’s and OTA’s jurisdictions;
- Agreements should not require Hostels to indemnify OTAs for tax obligations on commissions;
- Agreements should ensure that commission to OTAs is only paid for consumed bookings;
- OTAs should treat all Hostels equally regardless of size and location;
- OTAs should provide Hostels with all required personal information including email addresses to allow the provision of efficient and personalised services to guests. (A positive relationship between the Hostel and guest will also be positive for the OTA);
- Agreements should ensure that OTAs provide all personal information required to comply with all applicable laws in the Hostel’s jurisdiction;
- Agreements should ensure that OTAs can only offer rooms/beds at rates set by the Hostel operator. OTAs should not offer a given bed/room at different rates in different locations depending on the country or city from which the OTA is accessed. OTAs should not be able to undercut the rates as given to them by the Hostel without permission;
- Agreements should ensure that Hostels can determine their own cancellation policies;
- Agreements should ensure that OTAs do not advertise alternatives for the same nights to guests who have confirmed with a Hostel on their system;
- Agreements should ensure that Hostels do not have to honour or hold bookings for which a credit card has been declined and an alternative has not been charged.
Declaration signees to date
Organisation name | Country |
---|---|
Milhouse Hostel | Argentina |
Nomads World Hotels & Base Backpackers | Australia |
YHA Australia | Australia |
Les Auberges de Jeunesse asbl | Belgium |
Vlaamse Jeugdherbergen (VJH) | Belgium |
Hostelling International Bolivia | Bolivia |
YWCA Hotel Vancouver | Canada |
HI Canada | Canada |
HI Chile | Chile |
YHA China | China |
FIAP | France |
Independent Hostels of Germany e.V. | Germany |
HI Munich Park Hostel | Germany |
MEININGER Hotels | Germany |
Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association | Hong Kong |
Independent Holiday Hostel Association of Ireland | Ireland |
Sleepzone | Ireland |
Tiberias Hostel | Israel |
Abraham Hostels | Israel |
Lebanese Youth Hostels Federation | Lebanon |
Hans Brinker | Netherlands |
WOW Amsterdam | Netherlands |
YHA New Zealand | New Zealand |
Hostelling International Slovenia | Slovenia |
Once in Cape Town | South Africa |
Korea Youth Hostels Association | South Korea |
Agora BCN | Spain |
REAJ. Red Española de Albergues Juveniles | Spain |
Hostelling International | United Kingdom |
Clink Hostels | United Kingdom |
Astor Hostels | United Kingdom |
Hostelling International Northern Ireland | United Kingdom |
Britannia Student Services Ltd | United Kingdom |
Safestay | United Kingdom |
92Y Residence | United States |
Hostelling International USA | United States |
YHA England & Wales | United Kingdom |
Hotel Plaza | Italy |
CabanaCopa & Mango Tree Hostel | Brazil |
Swiss Youth Hostels | Switzerland |
Wombat’s Hostels | Austria |
Agoo Hostel | Ghana |
Finnish Hostel Association | Finland |
Atlantic Point Backpackers | South Africa |
George Backpackers | South Africa |
Afrovibe Experiences | South Africa |
Freehand Hotels | United States |
Amakaya Backpackers | South Africa |
The Backpack | South Africa |
Labyrinth Hostel Weimar | Germany |
Hostel Lollis Homestay | Germany |
Brickstone Hostel Ulm/Neu-Ulm | Germany |
Salzquartier – Hostel Lüneburg | Germany |
Steffis Hostel | Germany |
Hostel68 | Germany |
Sleepy Lion Hostel Leipzig | Germany |
Sunflower Hostel Berlin | Germany |
Max Hostel Bonn | Germany |
Heart of Gold Hostel Berlin | Germany |
Sleep – Station | Germany |
Eastern Comfort Hostelboat | Germany |
St Christopher’s Inns | United Kingdom |
Wish U Were Here Lodge and Backpackers | South Africa |
Independent Hostels UK | United Kingdom |
Piggery Poke Hostel | United Kingdom |
Gastameco | Italy |