A hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed , usually a bunk bed in a dormitory sleeping 4–20 people, with shared use of a lounge and usually a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex and have private or shared bathrooms. Private rooms may also be available. Hostels are popular forms of lodging for backpackers , however very few impose age limits, so hostels are an option for travellers of all ages and styles. The benefits of hostels include lower costs and opportunities to meet people from different places, find travel partners, and share travel experiences. Some hostels, such as in India or Hostelling International , cater to a niche market of travelers. Different hostels can be known for offering different experiences. For example, one hostel might feature in-house social gatherings such as movie nights or communal dinners, another might feature local tours, one might be known for its parties, and another might have a quieter place to relax in serenity, or be located on the beach. Newer hostels focus on a more trendy design, some of which are on par with boutique hotels . Some may cater to older digital nomads , global nomads , and perpetual travelers who prefer slightly more upmarket private rooms or a quieter atmosphere. Hostels may also differentiate themselves by being environmentally friendly ecohostels. In countries where wages are lower, the cost of staying at a hostel may be similar to staying in a budget hotel.
31-542: Many hostels are locally owned and operated, and are usually cheaper than hotels. Hostels may offer long-term lodging to guests for free or at a discount in exchange for work as a receptionist or in housekeeping . There are approximately 10,000 hostels in Europe and approximately 300 hostels in the United States. In 2023, the hostel industry worldwide was estimated to be worth US$ 6 billion annually, and growing. The typical guest
62-470: A curfew and daytime lockouts. In some cities, hostels reported a higher average income per room than hotels. For example, in Honolulu , Hawaii , upscale hotels reported average daily room rates of $ 173 in 2006, while hostel rooms brought in as much as $ 200 per night, for rooms of eight guests paying $ 25 each. Even during the financial crisis of 2007–2008 , many hostels reported increased occupancy numbers at
93-412: A customer service representative , dispatcher , interviewers , secretary , production assistant , personal assistant , or executive assistant. In smaller businesses, such as a doctor's or a lawyer's office, a receptionist may also be the office manager who is charged with a diversity of middle management level business operations. For example, in the hotel industry, the night-time receptionist's role
124-475: A firm cannot utilize its resources properly so, it is the most important term in running a business firm. Strategic thinking , leadership , problem-solving , communication , and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people and organizations are among the key skills and competencies required of effective managers. Managers must also be able to balance the needs and interests of various stakeholders, such as employees, customers, shareholders, and
155-453: A motion detection camera to "see" visitors as they enter the building. The remote receptionist is then displayed in a video window on a wall-mounted LCD, kiosk or desktop all-in-one computer. The video receptionist and visitors can then communicate via 2-way video, allowing the receptionist to manage one or many office lobby areas from a central location. The advancement of office automation has eliminated some receptionists' jobs. For example,
186-409: A positive attitude and dependability. At times, the job may be stressful due to interaction with many different people with different types of personalities, and being expected to perform multiple tasks quickly. Depending on the industry a receptionist position can have opportunities for networking in order to advance to other positions within a specific field. Some people may use this type of job as
217-610: 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. On June 1, 1912, Schirrmann opened the first hostel in Altena Castle . The original hostel rooms are now a museum. Schirrmann served in World War I and after observing
248-474: A telephone call could be answered by an automated attendant . However, a receptionist who possesses strong office/technical skills and who is also adept in courtesy, tact and diplomacy is still considered an asset to a company's business image, and is still very much in demand in the business world. Business administration Business administration is the administration of a commercial enterprise . It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising
279-560: A time when hotel bookings were down. A 2013 study in Australia showed that youth travel was the fastest-growing travel demographic and that the hostel industry was growing at a faster rate than the hotel industry. It showed that youth travel can lead to higher overall spending due to longer trips than traditional vacations. In New Zealand, backpackers hostels had a 13.5% share of lodging guests/nights in 2007. Guests are advised to be respectful of others: In August 1909, Richard Schirrmann ,
310-513: A variety of other office tasks, such as faxing or emailing. Some receptionists may also perform bookkeeping or cashiering duties. Some, but not all, offices may expect the receptionist to serve coffee or tea to guests, and to keep the lobby area tidy. A receptionist may also assume some security guard access control functions for an organization by verifying employee identification, issuing visitor passes, and observing and reporting any unusual or suspicious persons or activities. A receptionist
341-460: A way to familiarize themselves with office work, or to learn of other functions or positions within a corporation. Some people use receptionist work as a way to earn money while pursuing further educational opportunities or other career interests such as in the performing arts or as writers. While many persons working as receptionists continue in that position throughout their careers, some receptionists may advance to other administrative jobs, such as
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#1732854695285372-473: Is a bachelor's degree in commerce and business administration. The duration of the degree is four years in the United States and three years in Europe. The degree is designed to give a broad knowledge of the functional aspects of a company and their interconnection, while also allowing for specialization in a particular area. The degree also develops the student's practical, managerial and communication skills, and business decision-making capability to succeed in
403-494: Is a postgraduate degree with a focus in business management . In terms of content, it is similar to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree as it contains identical management courses but is open to prospective postgraduate candidates at any level in their career unlike MBA programs that have longer course credit requirements and only accept mid-career professionals. The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA or DrBA)
434-611: Is a research doctorate awarded on the basis of advanced study and research in the field of business administration. The D.B.A. is a terminal degree in business administration and is equivalent to the Ph.D. in Business Administration. The PhD in Management is the highest academic degree awarded in the study of business management. The degree is intended for those seeking academic research- and teaching-careers as faculty or professors in
465-686: Is almost always combined with performing daily account consolidation and reporting, more particularly known as night auditing . When receptionists leave the job, they often enter other career fields such as sales and marketing, public relations or other media occupations. A few famous people were receptionists in the beginning, such as Betty Williams , a co-recipient of the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize . A number of celebrities had worked as receptionists before they became famous, such as singer/songwriter Naomi Judd and Linda McCartney , photographer, entrepreneur and wife of Paul McCartney . Other famous people who began their careers as receptionists or worked in
496-507: Is attributed to the person who is employed by an organization to receive or greet any visitors, patients, or clients and answer telephone calls. The term front desk is used in many hotels for an administrative department where a receptionist's duties also may include room reservations and assignment, guest registration, cashier work, credit checks, key control, and mail and message service. Such receptionists are often called front desk clerks . Receptionists cover many areas of work to assist
527-406: Is between 16 and 34 years old, although it can vary depending on the country. In addition to shared kitchen facilities, some hostels have a restaurant and/or bar. Washing machines and clothes dryers are often provided for an additional fee. Hostels sometimes provide luggage storage. Most hostels offer lockers for safely storing valuables. Some hostels do not provide linens. Some hostels may have
558-460: Is often the first business contact a person will meet at any organization. Organizations usually expect that the receptionist maintains a calm, courteous and professional demeanor at all times, regardless of the visitor's behavior. Some personal qualities that a receptionist is expected to possess in order to do the job successfully include attentiveness, a well-groomed appearance, initiative, loyalty, maturity, respect for confidentiality and discretion,
589-678: 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". In 1919, he founded the German Youth Hostel Association . By 1932, Germany had more than 2,000 hostels recording more than 4.5 million overnights annually. The International Youth Hostel Federation (now Hostelling International )
620-520: The bureaucratic or operational performance of routine office tasks, usually internally oriented and reactive rather than proactive. Administrators, broadly speaking, engage in a common set of functions to meet an organization's goals. Henri Fayol (1841–1925) described these "functions" of the administrator as " the five elements of administration ". According to Fayol, the five functions of management are planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. Without proper business management,
651-453: The business operations of an organization. The administration of a business includes the performance or management of business operations and decision-making , as well as the efficient organization of people and other resources to direct activities towards common goals . In general, "administration" refers to the broader management function, including the associated finance , personnel and MIS services. Administration can refer to
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#1732854695285682-648: The Great Recession, the industry grew rapidly in New York City, Rome, Buenos Aires, and Miami. Following a 2010 New York State law 55 hostels in New York City closed, leaving about five which operated as hotels. Receptionist A receptionist is an employee taking an office or administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office desk of an organization or business. The title receptionist
713-495: The businesses they work for, including setting appointments, filing, record keeping, and other office tasks. The business duties of a receptionist may include answering visitors' enquiries about a company and its products or services, directing visitors to their destinations, sorting and handing out mail, answering incoming calls on multi-line telephones or, earlier in the 20th century, a switchboard , setting appointments, filing, records keeping, keyboarding/data entry and performing
744-402: The competitive world. Many programs incorporate training and practical experience, in the form of case projects, presentations, internships, industrial visits, and interaction with experts from industry. The Master of Business Administration (MBA or M.B.A.) is a master's degree in business administration with a significant focus on management. The MBA degree originated in the United States in
775-439: The early-20th century, when the nation industrialized and companies sought scientific approaches to management. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and operations in a manner most relevant to management analysis and strategy. Most programs also include elective courses. The Master of Management (MiM) or Master of Science in Management (MSM)
806-656: The field include civil rights activist Rosa Parks and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina . Some small-to-medium-sized business owners hire a live remote receptionist in lieu of a full-time, in-house receptionist, thanks to advances in communications technology. As the phrase itself suggests, a live remote receptionist deals with phone calls for a company in another location using telephony private branch exchange (PBX) servers. Most modern receptionist services can take messages, screen and forward calls, answer basic FAQs, and fill out web forms. Many services can also schedule appointments and take credit card orders. Some of
837-491: The larger community. Management is a critical aspect of any successful organization, and it requires a wide range of skills, knowledge, and expertise. Whether managing a small team or a large corporation, effective management is essential to achieving success and driving growth. Another critical aspect is effectively managing and motivating employees. Managers must be able to foster a positive and productive work environment, as well as recognize and reward employees who contribute to
868-473: The older receptionist services have been around for decades, but these often operate very differently from modern services. Advances in touch screen and 2-way video technology is changing the way some receptionist work. New types of virtual video receptionist systems now allows for live, in-house or remote receptionists to manage office lobby areas from remote locations. These virtual receptionists not only answer phones but also greet walk-in visitors by utilizing
899-523: The overall success of the organization. This can include providing opportunities for professional development and growth, as well as establishing clear communication channels and ensuring that everyone understands their role and responsibilities. The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA, B.B.A., BSBA, B.S.B.A., BS, B.S., or B.Sc.), Bachelor of Science in Business, Business Administration, Business Management (BS), or Bachelor of Commerce (Bcom. or BComm)
930-459: Was a proponent of hostels and was president for several years. During World War II , many hostels in Europe were temporarily shut down or placed under the control of the Hitler Youth . In the 1960s and 1970s, hostelling prospered. The industry declined during the 1970s energy crisis . Hostels continued to grow during the financial crisis of 2007–2008 , in part due to their cost appeal. After
961-457: Was founded in October 1932. It is now an organization composed of more than 90 hostel associations representing over 4,500 hostels in over 80 countries. These hostels cater more to school-aged children, sometimes through school trips, and families with school-aged children. In 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the honorary president of AYH (now Hostelling International USA ). John D. Rockefeller III