Documents for opening a hotel-type hostel. How to open a hostel and what is needed for this business. What equipment to choose for a hostel

How to open a hostel - step by step plan: Required documents, advertising promotion methods, equipment, detailed calculations and payback periods.

Capital investments in business: from 500,000 rubles
Hostel payback period: 1-2 years

Not so long ago, few people knew about this type of budget hotel, such as a hostel.

The practice, so common in Europe, has begun to gain popularity in Russia over the past 5-7 years.

The opportunity to live in a comfortable environment with everything you need for little money has aroused great demand among the population.

Therefore, many entrepreneurs began to wonder, how to open a hostel.

Some of them have used this method of budget overnight stays and appreciated the benefits.

They have determined for themselves what they want the hostel to be like, they know many secrets and tricks, but they have absolutely no understanding of the organizational side of the issue.

While others are experienced entrepreneurs who know how to profitably invest in real estate.

But organizing a hostel requires a more sincere approach than the ability to count expenses.

What documents are needed to open a hostel?

Paperwork to open a hostel is something that scares first-time owners.

There's really no need to worry.

Yes, registering a business is a long and nerve-wracking process.

However, you can delegate the collection of papers to specialists for a fee.

The only thing you definitely shouldn’t do is open a hostel without permission.

Such a move is fraught with fines, problems and complete failure of the hostel idea.

To legally open a hostel, you will need the following documents:

  • or LLC;
  • tax registration certificate;
  • a document confirming ownership of the premises;
  • permission to operate the hostel based on the results of an inspection by the fire inspectorate and SES;
  • agreement for waste removal with the relevant organization.

The above list is a basis that can be “overgrown” additional papers, depending on the current legal requirements for business.

You should carefully check the relevance of the data before registering the hostel.

It’s better to play it safe at the start than to have problems with regulatory authorities in the future.

We analyze the market before opening a hostel

The mere fact that a hostel as a business must have demand is not enough to organize a business.

It is important to analyze the niche in which you are going to open a hostel.

To do this, pay attention to competitors in the region and the general trend of hostel development.

Now there are more than 5,000 hostels and establishments of a similar format in the country.

Their number has doubled over the past 2 years, which indicates an accelerated pace of niche development and high customer demand.

It is noteworthy that half of the hostels are concentrated in two cities - St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Thus, to open your own hostel in one of them, you will have to “fight” with competitors.

At the same time, the prospects for business development in big cities are much better.

If we analyze the formats of hostel organization, the leader is premises with medium capacity (30-50 guests).

This business option is beneficial for entrepreneurs due to relatively modest capital investments and quick payback.

What are the risks of the idea of ​​opening a hostel?

An idea like opening a hostel in Moscow or St. Petersburg has risks not only because of high competition...

Any mini-hotel may encounter circumstances that could ruin its business.

Entrepreneurs must analyze potential risks before opening a hostel and think through ways to minimize them.

RiskWhy is it dangerous for business?How to avoid?
All sorts of emergencies in the hostelEmergency situations can cause harm to the hostel property or its residents. In extreme cases, lead to suspension of work.Hostel property must be insured. Provide employees with training on how to behave in emergency situations. It is important to equip the premises with fire extinguishing systems.
Seasonal fluctuations in demandIncome and business profitability are falling.It is important to be able to interest a hostel client during a recession. Think it over advertising campaign, enter special offers.
Poor location of the hostelAudience coverage is falling. Along with it comes the profitability of the hostel.The problem needs to be “cut in the bud” even before the hostel opens. Pay attention to preliminary location analysis. Assess its prospects.
Low qualifications of employeesLoss of clients, emergence of conflict situations.You need to hire people in person. You shouldn’t skimp on training hostel workers.

How to open your own hostel and promote it: advertising methods

It is important to understand not only how to open your own hostel according to all the rules of the law, but also how you will promote it to the masses.

And the service sector is those areas that cannot do without a marketing strategy.

You should immediately realize that there is no such thing as high-quality, cheap advertising.

There are rare exceptions, but you shouldn't rely on them.

Consider the 3 main channels for promoting hostel services:

    Website and promotion of the hostel on the Internet.

    A modern business cannot do without its own website.

    Don’t skimp and order its creation from specialists.

    After all, the electronic page will be the face of the hostel.

    The website itself does not attract customers so actively, but rather is an important image attribute.

    To ensure that guests find you, use SEO optimization, contextual and banner advertising.

    This pleasure is not cheap, but the effect is noticeable.

    Another important element marketing policy modern business.

    Most of the hostel visitors are students, young people, and budget tourists.

    They are attracted not just by the opportunity to spend the night, but by the spirit that reigns in hostels.

    It’s worth opening the hostel’s Facebook and VKontakte pages.

    This will allow you to share news, hold promotions, collect feedback from guests and create your own special atmosphere that you will want to plunge into.

    Hotel and hostel booking sites.

    Few people do not know about the existence of resources for online booking of accommodation.

    Hostels that are not there lose up to 90% of their potential target audience.

    Just listen to this number!

    But the registration process is simple and, as a rule, free.

How to choose a building to open a hostel?

To choose a location and decide how to open a hostel in non-residential premises or apartment, first select a format.

There are three main types:

    A large hostel that can accommodate more than 100 guests.

    In Russia, this format is not in demand due to the lack of demand and the high financial threshold for entry.

    If you are still interested in this hostel option, you will need to rent a large non-residential premises.

    To ensure fullness, you need to work on concluding agreements with companies that can hold seminars or conferences.

    Hostel with medium capacity (30-50 guests).

    The most in demand. To organize them, they usually buy 2-3 apartments located on the floor and combine them.

    This is enough to equip a hostel with a kitchen, two bathrooms, a hall and 5-6 bedrooms.

    In an ordinary apartment you can set up a hostel for 10-15 guests.

    The mini-format hostel is chosen by those who like to relax in a cozy home environment.

    This option requires the least investment, but also pays off over a long period of time.

    The peculiarity of such hostels is that the price of a bed can be 10-15% higher than that of competitors.

    And this will be justified, because the level of comfort in mini-hostels is noticeably higher.

  • advantage – the hostel is close to the city center;
  • It’s good if there are interesting sights nearby the hostel;
  • It is important for guests that there is a good transport connection near the hostel;
  • It should be easy for visitors to find the hostel, so a noticeable sign and signs are needed.

Hostel as a business: necessary equipment


Those who have stayed in hostels more than once know very well what they should be equipped with.

If your knowledge is limited to your own apartment and expensive hotels, here is an indicative list of the necessary equipment:

EquipmentDescriptionPrice
(in rub.)
FurnitureUsually, hostels buy wooden furniture. From the basics, you will need: a wardrobe in the hallway, a large shelf for shoes, beds and bedside tables in the bedrooms, a table and chairs in the kitchen, sofas and armchairs in the rest room.100 000
Equipment in the hostelList necessary equipment depends on what services will be provided at the hostel. The minimum set includes: Wi-Fi router, washing machine, iron, refrigerator and microwave, plasma TV, storage rooms for valuables.90 000
Other things for the hostelDo not forget that you have to provide guests with textile accessories. Experience shows that for each bed in a hostel you will need 3 sets of bed linen. You will quickly see that such a reserve is justified. A sign of good manners is to provide clients with towels and disposable slippers.80 000
Creating comfortAs already mentioned, a hostel is not just a “bedroom”. This is an atmospheric place, which for many is associated with a special atmosphere. A good hostel has its own distinctive style, which is created by the interior details. These could be interesting pillows, panels, a stand with books, or special lamps.30 000

Schedule plan for how to open a hostel from scratch

To plan how to open a hostel from scratch, it’s worth drawing up calendar plan.

It will allow you to track whether all stages of the organization are going according to the planned schedule.

Stages of opening a hostel1 month2 months3 months
Registration of individual entrepreneur or LLC
Conducting marketing research
Conclusion of a lease agreement
Repair and redevelopment of premises
Searching for staff for a hostel
Obtaining permits from SES and fire inspection
Planning an advertising campaign
Purchase of equipment and furniture
Internet connection
Installation of equipment in the hostel
Interior decoration
Start of work of the hostel

It is worth noting that in a hostel business plan, the calendar plan should be supplied not only with deadlines, but also with an indication of the performers and responsible persons.

Recruitment of staff for a hostel

In order to open a hostel in an apartment or non-residential premises, you will need to assemble a team of professionals who will work there.

Family members are often involved in cases.

It is important to hire people from “outside” only with work experience.

A big plus is knowledge. foreign languages.

The number of staff depends on the size of the hostel.

Often the level of cleanliness is the weak point of hostels.

To avoid problems, sign a contract with us for periodic general cleaning.

Also, do not forget about washing, and enter into an agreement with a dry cleaner to provide this service.

How much does it cost to open a hostel?

“The most serious risk in business around the world is the risk of being ineffective.”
Mikhail Prokhorov

So from organizational issues We come to the question, how much does it cost to open a hostel?

Regular investments in the operation of the hostel

We must not forget that a business needs not only start-up investments.

To operate a hostel you will need to invest a certain amount monthly.

Payback periods and profitability of a hostel as a business

Due to its price advantage over expensive hotels, the hostel pays for itself faster and requires less investment.

Dry calculations show that 100% occupancy of the hostel will bring about 115,000 rubles per month.

However, at the beginning of the hostel’s operation and in the low season, such an indicator cannot be achieved.

It is possible to achieve 75-85% of hostel profitability with the active use of advertising methods.

With this indicator, it is possible to recoup the investment in 1-2 years.

How to make good money by opening your own hostel, you will learn from the video:

    A hostel is a place for a budget holiday, but not a poor one.

    Guests should not see shabby doors, broken locks, mold or a non-functioning electric kettle.

    Keep an eye on the details in the hostel.

    Many people stay in a hostel just for the experience.

    Develop a special hostel design style.

    It could be a Soviet Union theme or a psychedelic creative space.

    Many guests are tourists.

    Enter additional services in the hostel: excursions, the ability to call an inexpensive taxi, free city maps.

Thinking through how to open a hostel, You should only manage personal funds, not credit.

But when business takes off, you can contact the bank or investors to get money to develop the business.

In this case, the risks are lower, and it is easier to obtain consent from sponsors.

After you promote one point, you should think about opening new hostels.

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Brief information about hostels as a form of management hotel business. The material touches on some issues of this type. entrepreneurial activity(what it is, what kind of real estate can be used, theses on organizing living conditions).

 

The hostel is an economy class hotel where you can stay and spend the night for a small fee. The main difference from a hotel is that they pay not for renting a room, but for the beds themselves. On average, rooms can accommodate from four to ten guests at a time.

For minimal money, hostels provide the necessary level of comfort to guests, which is why they are attractive to the vast majority of the population of our vast Motherland. Many tourists and business travelers absolutely do not need expensive spacious rooms with additional services that they do not use. It is enough for these people to provide a comfortable and clean place to sleep, give them the opportunity to take a shower, visit the toilet and clean themselves up, charging a “democratic” fee for everything.

The most profitable placement of such hotels is in station areas, as well as in historical and business centers of cities - not only wealthy people travel and go on business trips. However, the cost of real estate and land in the listed places is the highest, so opening a new inexpensive hotel there will not be easy. It is much easier to choose a quieter and cheaper area for its placement. The main thing is that it is not “in the middle of nowhere” and has a well-functioning transport infrastructure.

Business benefits of opening a hostel

  1. Very promising business- as already noted, the consumer audience for these services is extremely large. Quite a lot of people do not rent inexpensive rooms for one simple reason - there are either catastrophically few of them or none at all.
  2. Quantity potential clients the number of hostels will not decrease over time, even the expected increase in income cannot lead to this, since no one has canceled healthy practicality. Business travelers and budget travelers will always choose this option.
  3. A fairly low level of competition is especially important. In addition, in our country, the powers that be prefer to earn “quick money”, which will allow them to avoid a conflict of interest in a losing situation. If you exclude the bureaucratic red tape that cannot be avoided when officially opening any business, then no one will care about you.
  4. Relatively low costs for internal situation and finishing minimize financial losses in case of failure, since in our case the fixed capital is real estate, which generally increases in price over time.

Real estate

The first thing you should pay attention to is the impossibility of calculating any average amount of investment per bed. Even a child understands that the price of land, real estate, services of builders and other specialists differ quite greatly by region. Therefore, it makes sense to discuss the issue only in general outline.

The main expenses come from the construction or purchase of the building itself where the hostel is planned to be located. This is where you need to look for opportunities to save money. Of course, the ideal option is a long-term lease with the right of subsequent purchase. But in most large cities in Russia, this scenario is considered fantastic: either everything has been dismantled long ago, or the cost of rent is too high. But it’s still worth trying your luck in the recommended direction.

If construction is inevitable, then it is best to erect a medium or small building with the possibility of its further expansion.

Mini-hostels in residential high-rise buildings

The best option is the conversion of 2-3 apartments into a hostel on the first or second floor of a residential building. If you are the owner of such real estate, then the task is extremely simplified.

Compliance with legal standards when opening a mini-hostel in a city apartment

It is clear that such a business cannot be hidden up your sleeve, so it is necessary to follow the letter of the law. You will not receive permission to open a hostel if the property is registered in the housing stock. Only apartments on the first floor or second floor can be removed from there, if the same non-residential premises are located under the latter. According to the third chapter of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation No. 188-F3, which came into force in 2005, in order to carry out the procedure for removing an apartment from the housing stock, its owner must provide:

  • application for transfer of premises;
  • title documents:
  • technical description apartment and its plan;
  • floor plan of the house;
  • an apartment redevelopment project drawn up in accordance with the norms of the law.

In addition to compliance with the legal norms set out in the third chapter of the RF Housing Code No. 188-F3, it is necessary to take into account the requirements of other regulatory legal acts of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. However, decisions of local authorities should not contradict the main document regulating the removal of apartments from the housing stock.

Examples of space planning in hostels

List of basic requirements for living conditions in such mini-hotels:

  1. Good soundproofing - people pay money to get a good night's sleep. Therefore, you should definitely pay attention to this parameter when choosing windows and doors. The original internal walls in apartments conduct sound well, so be sure to eliminate this drawback.
  2. The presence of a small lounge with a TV and a kitchen means that visitors do not immediately fall asleep; many of them will want to have a snack, drink tea and watch the news or a movie. For obvious reasons, doing this in the rooms is not very convenient.
  3. Providing wireless Internet access - a wi-fi zone in the hostel is simply necessary, since the bulk of visitors are young people, and they cannot live without the Internet.
  4. Air conditioning of bedrooms - an attempt to save money on split systems immediately relegates the hostel to the category of second-rate. Considering the number of people simultaneously present in one room, it is impossible to do without climate control equipment.
  5. Bathrooms are equipped at the rate of: one sink for 6 visitors, a toilet for 12 people and a shower for 15 guests.
  6. The sleeping area (mattress) should be 1.9 x 0.8 meters, and the density of their placement should be determined based on the norm - 5 m² per person. It is recommended to install bunk beds to ensure sufficient space in the rooms.
  7. The rooms should be equipped with lockable metal drawers or a storage room should be equipped at the reception desk.

The finishing of walls and floors should be carried out taking into account increased operational loads. If you don’t want the hostel to turn into a shabby inn in 2-3 years, pay special attention to the choice of building materials and plumbing. There is no need to overpay money for absolutely inappropriate technical and aesthetic bells and whistles, but saving on quality would be extremely unwise - the stingy pays twice.

The same applies to purchasing furniture - budget factory products will not last half the time promised by the manufacturers. An exception is made only for metal bunk beds, which must be equipped with mattresses of normal quality. It is recommended to order all other cabinet furniture with warranty service. The last point will force manufacturers to use high-quality and wear-resistant components in its production.

Promotion methods

It is almost impossible to establish this type of business without an advertising campaign. Moreover, bright signs and the help of word of mouth will clearly not be enough here. Advertisements in the local press will also be of little use. The most effective is the promotion of hotel services via the Internet and by placing posters with business cards at train stations and other places of mass concentration of city guests.

Close relationships with travel agencies can also attract customers to the hostel. Due to the popularity of economy tours, these organizations are constantly looking for those who are able to provide inexpensive hotel services. Moreover, the owners of new budget hotels have priority for obvious reasons: the most favorable prices for initial stage, fresh renovations and new furniture, as well as better customer service.

Currently, the hotel business is developing at a tremendous pace and is of increased interest not only among experienced entrepreneurs, but also ordinary people who want to work for themselves, develop in professionally, achieve new heights and success, do what you love and not depend in any way on the employer. However, opening a hotel requires not only specific knowledge, but also significant material investments, which not everyone can afford. The most suitable option for a person of average income is to invest in a so-called hostel. But at the same time, many questions arise with the idea: how to open a hostel, what documents will be required, what is the competition in the market, will this activity bring profit, etc. Of course, any business involves a certain risk. Therefore, before leaving your main job and attempting to start your own business, it is necessary to collect as much information as possible about the upcoming activity, carry out basic calculations, weigh the pros and cons, and only then make a final decision.

What is a hostel?

Before you seriously think about how to open a hostel, you need to clearly understand what it is. In simple words we can say that a hostel is a mini-hotel, usually occupying a small area and specializing in providing inexpensive temporary housing to tourists, young people, students, migrant workers and all interested people who cannot afford to pay for rooms in hotels or hotels. Hostels are characterized by a block or corridor system of rooms arranged for accommodation from 3 to 20 people. On each floor or block there is a shared toilet and bath (or shower), as well as a kitchen where guests can prepare their own food at any time. It is possible to find a hostel suitable for everyone anywhere in the city. Photos of buildings and rooms can be viewed in advertising brochures and in our article.

Initial capital required to open a hostel

The cost of opening a hostel depends on many factors. For example, those who are interested in how to open a hostel in Moscow should take into account that this will not be easy to do in the capital. This is explained, firstly, by the fact that competition in this area is simply enormous. Secondly, this is not a place for entrepreneurs with limited financial resources, since buying or renting premises will cost a pretty penny. A similar situation is typical for St. Petersburg, although inexpensive hostels in St. Petersburg are more common than in Moscow. Things are much simpler in small cities and towns, where buying/renting premises will cost an order of magnitude cheaper. However, it should be taken into account that the profit in this case will be less.

Having made preliminary calculations, we can come to the conclusion that at the initial stage, to open a hostel, a businessman will need an average of 1.5-2 million rubles (rent of premises, repairs, purchase of furniture and equipment, paperwork, wage employees, tax deductions). If business is done correctly, the profitability of the hostel will be 50% or more.

Factors to consider when opening a hostel

In order to answer the question of how to open a hostel, you need to take into account a number of important factors, which can significantly affect the development of the project: strengths and weaknesses, existing opportunities and, accordingly, threats and risks. Among the strengths, it should be noted: the relatively low threshold required to enter the market (from 350 thousand rubles), a simplified taxation system. Weaknesses are the profitability and payback period of the project. As for opportunities, in this sense it is necessary to emphasize that opening a hostel is a very promising direction in the hotel business, which provides an opportunity to develop and consolidate a strong position in the market. With all this, we should not forget that risks are inevitable. Please take into account that you are far from the only one who is thinking about how to open a hostel; competition is growing every day (the market is growing by 45% annually). In addition, talent, entrepreneurial spirit, determination and, of course, stress resistance are of great importance. A business is built gradually, and one cannot count on immediate success.

What is required for legal registration of a hostel?

Despite the fact that many people direct their attention to the hotel business, only a few really think about how to open a hostel. That is why at present this is a rather promising direction with a real possibility of promotion. To open a hostel, no special permits are required. This is explained by the fact that in the Russian Federation hotel activities not subject to licensing. All that is required is to register an individual entrepreneur or LLC in the prescribed manner, purchase a cash register and register it with the tax office, obtain the appropriate permits from fire service and SES.

How to choose the right room?

Opening a hostel begins with finding suitable premises. The hostel can be located either in an apartment or in a private house. It all depends on the desire of the entrepreneur and his financial capabilities. Not everyone can afford to rent or even more so buy a house. It’s much easier for those who are thinking about how to open a hostel in an apartment. Things are even better for those who already own premises suitable for human habitation. In this case, all that remains is to make high-quality repairs, equip the premises, hire staff and get to work. The premises for the hostel should not be less than 150-200 m2. Otherwise, there is nothing to talk about benefits. The central streets of cities are not prerequisite in order to open a good and in demand hostel. Reviews from visitors are the best confirmation of this. Maintaining hostels located on the outskirts of the city is much cheaper, which, in turn, affects the cost of living for visitors. Both entrepreneurs and guests benefit.

The most suitable furniture for a hostel

Planning start-up capital To open a hostel, it is worth considering the amount that will have to be spent on purchasing furniture and equipment. The most important element is the purchase of beds. They should be single, preferably two-tier (to save space) and as comfortable as possible. Entrepreneurs who know a lot about hotel business, do not skimp and prefer to order even orthopedic mattresses for their hostels. Naturally this additional investments, but rest assured that they will soon pay off in full. The cost of one fully equipped two-story bed averages 15-20 thousand rubles. The number of beds required depends solely on the area of ​​the room.

In addition to beds, you will need to purchase cabinets, shelving, bedside tables, electrical and household appliances. Do not skimp on quality, otherwise in the future you will have to spend money again on repairs or replacement of damaged equipment or equipment.

Recruitment

Once the premises have been selected, renovated and equipped, recruitment should begin. At a minimum, two administrators will be required to provide services to guests around the clock. If you assume that the working day will last 8 hours, you will need to hire three reception staff. In addition, you cannot do without service personnel: cleaners, maids, electricians, security. The main requirements for hostel employees are: integrity, friendliness, resistance to stress, ability to work in a team, responsibility, etc.

How to properly organize the activities of a hostel?

A huge number of questions and problems with organizing activities arise especially for those businessmen who are thinking about how to open a hostel in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities. The main reason for this is that the competition is fierce and in order for people to choose a particular hostel, its owner has to fight for it. The success of a hostel largely depends on proper organization activities. Therefore, first of all, you need to determine the target audience to target. For example, young people, students and tourists from the provinces are most likely to prefer inexpensive overnight accommodation. For them, comfort is not as important as cost. If your hostel is designed for such a contingent, then you should save on the furnishings, but at the same time make reduced prices for accommodation. If you are planning to open a hostel for business people, then you will have to allocate a place where the conference room will be located, arrange a separate room in which you can hold various seminars, trainings, business meetings, etc. The cost of living in such a hostel will be much more expensive. However, regardless of what segment of the population the hostel is designed for, service must be at the highest level and meet the needs of the guests.

Advertising campaign and hostel opening

Before opening a hostel, marketers recommend conducting a broad advertising campaign. The more people know about the existence of the hostel, the higher the flow of guests will be. Order advertising brochures from any printing house. They should be printed on high-quality glossy paper. Come up with a catchy title and describe the advantages of the hostel. Leaflets can be distributed on the streets of the city, at the entrance to shopping centers, near hotels and hotels, at train stations, at universities and in places where students gather.

In addition, advertising can be easily placed on special websites, where future visitors can not only get acquainted with basic information about the hostel, but also book a room. Various social networks and blogs are also good platforms for advertising.

conclusions

Opening a hostel should be approached very responsibly. Having learned how to open a hostel in Moscow or any other city in Russia, first evaluate your capabilities, think carefully about whether this business is right for you, identify all the pros and cons, and only then make the final decision. There is a lot of work to be done, so in the next few years you will have to completely forget about weekends and vacations. If you are confident in yourself and your abilities, then go ahead and start taking specific actions. With desire and diligence, success will definitely come.

Approximate data:

  • Net profit - 56,525 rubles
  • Payback - A little more than 1 year.
This business plan, like all others in the section, contains calculations of average prices, which may differ in your case. Therefore, we recommend that you make calculations for your business individually.

Over the past few years, hostels have become popular in Russia. This is due to the low cost for an acceptable level of comfort. If we compare prices with hotel prices, we can say that hostels are much cheaper. Due to the crisis, the popularity and demand for this type of mini-hotels has only increased. Therefore, budding entrepreneurs are increasingly wondering how to open a hostel.

We will look at a hostel business plan with calculations for a three-room rented apartment.

Market analysis

Today there are more than 5 thousand mini-hotels and hostels operating in Russia. Half of them are located in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In other cities, the potential for this type of business is great. On average, Russian hostels receive about 2.6 million rubles annually as income (not profit!).

Over the past two years, the number of hostels has more than doubled, which indicates the increased attention of entrepreneurs to this type of business and demand from potential clients.

As a rule, hostels are created with a capacity of 10-30 people. Their share is more than 50% of all hostels, in some regions even more. This is due to the relatively low level of investment and high profitability. It is worth noting that over the past 2-3 years, investment in this area. For example, in St. Petersburg this figure has more than doubled, total amount investments have already exceeded 500 million rubles.

Before opening your own hostel, you need to analyze the situation in the hotel business market. This can best be done by collecting data in booking systems. In addition, this information is freely available. For clarity, it is better to compile the information in the form of a table, considering each object separately.

If it is difficult to collect information yourself or there is no time, you can entrust it to freelancers.

There are several ways to open hostels:

  • Buying a franchise.
  • Opening your own business with the purchase of premises.
  • Starting your own business by renting premises.

For most, the third option will seem to be the most acceptable and budget option. This is what will be considered.

It is very important to assess your own level of competitiveness by familiarizing yourself with the services of others hotel enterprises. Competitors will be: hotels, hotels, other hostels, rented apartments (daily rentals). Competing with hotels will help more low price, and with other hostels and apartments - the quality of the services provided and some “trick” that will make the establishment memorable and recognizable.

Portrait potential buyer : the main consumers will be representatives of those segments of the population who have average level prosperity. As a rule, these will be tourists, traveling enthusiasts, and young people. If we talk about middle-aged people, they will be ordinary employees who do not have a conservative outlook on life. Over 65% of all students in the world visit more and more places every year. They will be the main clients of the hostel.

SWOT analysis

Internal factors External factors
Advantages:

1. The prospects of this type of business.

2. Constant demand for services, regardless of the situation in the country, the level of inflation, or the severity of the crisis.

3. Low costs.

4. Since the main investments are made in real estate and household items, losses in case of possible failure are reduced.

5. The presence of a “chip”.

Possibilities:

1. A developing market segment in which investors are willing to invest their money.

2. Offering additional services (breakfasts, development of excursions, etc.).

4. Improving quality.

5. Increasing the speed of service and provision of services.

Flaws:

1. Lack of double beds.

2. No breakfast.

3. Lack of parking.

4. Inability to cater for large events due to small capacity.

Threats:

1. Economic instability in the country.

2. High level of competition.

3. Seasonality of demand.

Opportunity Assessment

You can increase your capabilities by introducing additional services and increasing their level. Increased demand will directly depend on promotional activities.

It is also necessary to take into account the seasonality of demand for hotel services.

The organization will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Organizational and legal issues:

  • Choice OPF of the enterprise. When opening one hostel, it is best to stay at. With further expansion, you can think about registration legal entity, opening an LLC. OKVED codes can be: 55.23 – activities of other places of residence. Or 55.23.5 - activities of other places for temporary residence, not included in other groups. This will depend on the maximum length of stay of clients.
  • Registration with the tax office, obtaining a certificate, choosing a tax system. You can start by choosing, as it provides many advantages. One of the following objects can be selected as the tax base: 6% of income or 15% of the difference (income-expenses). In the second case, the rate may vary depending on the region in which the business is registered.
  • We also recommend accepting payments from our clients by bank cards. To do this, you need to open a bank account. By the way, we wrote an article about.
  • If the hostel opens in an apartment or separate room, no licenses are required.
  • Compliance with sanitary standards. In this case, additional documents are not received. However, after some time, the relevant services may come and check. When finishing a room, it is worth obtaining certificates of conformity for the materials used (to avoid possible problems).
  • Obtaining a fire inspection report confirming the satisfaction of all norms and standards in the premises. This document guarantees safety not only for visitors, but also for workers. It is mandatory to receive it.
  • Concluding a rental agreement for premises.

A few more legal requirements:

  • The hostel cannot be located in the basement or on the ground floor.
  • When foreign citizens move in, migration records must be kept.
  • Redevelopment will require an application to the Housing Inspectorate.

Rented premises: this will be a three-room apartment on the ground floor, preferably with a separate exit. It is advisable that the property has already been transferred to commercial ownership, since this procedure is not easy and lengthy.

Description of service

The actual service is the provision of temporary accommodation. It includes:

  • sleeping area;
  • kitchen with necessary utensils (including electrical appliances, dishes);
  • bathroom (shower, toilet);
  • relaxation room (with TV, laptop, game console);
  • Wi-Fi;
  • use of dryers, washing machine, iron.

Such a range of services will certainly attract large quantity visitors to the hostel.

The order will be placed through the administrator, who accepts applications by phone or online.

Drawing up a marketing plan

One of the main factors in demand for hostel services is advertising. You shouldn’t wait for self-promotion - it will be a very long process. The following strategies should be used:

  1. Work with educational institutions(schools, universities). Students and pupils very often go on excursions to other cities and various Olympiads. In addition, by contacting you, they will recommend this place to others. And this is a completely free bonus in the form of word of mouth. The main thing is that they like the hostel.
  2. It is necessary to register the hostel on various social networks that are popular. It would also be a good idea to open your own website with feedback and contact information. It is necessary to indicate the location and telephone numbers. It is worth posting photos of rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and other rooms. Availability good reviews will also be able to instill confidence in the quality of services in potential clients.
  3. Work with various schools(sports, music), clubs, teams. Talented people often travel.
  4. Development commercial offers with a system of bonuses, promotions, discounts. They can be linked to seasonality, the number of visitors, for example.
  5. Working with travel agencies.
  6. Registration on travel sites and applications such as booking.com.
  7. System of corporate discounts.
  8. Distribution of leaflets.

Payment for accommodation will be made after residents move in. There is no need to pay anything in advance. Checkout time is 12:00. Payment is made in cash.

The cost of one place is set at 700 rubles, since the hostel is equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom, and a room with a TV, laptop and game console. In addition, there is an iron and washing machine. In general, prices for this type services vary from 350 to 1500 rubles depending on the conditions of the hostel, city, location.

Drawing up a production plan

To work you need a room. This will be a three-room apartment on the ground floor with a separate entrance. The premises will require renovation, which will include redevelopment. The apartment will have:

  • kitchen (10 m2);
  • bathroom (4 m2);
  • toilet (4 m2);
  • corridor (4 m2);
  • hall (8 m2);
  • closet for administrator and consumables(5 m2);
  • 2 rooms (30 m2 each);

Total total area will be: 95 m2.

The renovation will include finishing the premises, installing lamps, chandeliers, complete equipment bathroom and toilet, installing a sink in the kitchen. The cost will be 700,000 rubles.

Important: For 12 residents there must be 1 toilet, 1 shower, 2 sinks.

The apartment will need the following furniture:

  • kitchen set (1 piece);
  • dining table (1 piece);
  • chairs (5pcs);
  • bunk beds (6pcs);
  • sofa (1 piece);
  • bedside tables (6pcs);
  • cabinets (2 pieces);
  • tables (2 pcs);
  • dryers (2 pcs);
  • chairs (2 pieces).

You can buy new furniture or get by second-hand by purchasing it, for example, on Avito.

You will also need to purchase the following equipment:

  • fridge;
  • microwave oven;
  • stove;
  • TV;
  • game console (preferably);
  • vacuum cleaner;
  • 2 laptops (1 for administrator, 1 for residents);
  • washing machine;
  • Electric kettle.

You can’t do without buying the utensils that you will need for cooking.

The cleaners clean the premises in the morning in shifts (rooms before the arrival of new residents, other premises - 2 times a day).

Administrators work around the clock in shifts. Their responsibilities include accepting applications, monitoring them, adding information about promotions, special offers, settlements with guests, their check-in, and consulting.

Salaries are paid 2 times a month (advance and salary).

People with work experience are hired. Knowledge of foreign languages ​​among administrators is welcome; excellent computer and Internet skills are also required.

Organizational plan

1 month 2 month 3 month
Individual entrepreneur registration 6,800 rub.
Conclusion of a lease agreement
Search for colleagues
Competition analysis (booking system)
Advertising 10,000 rubles
Purchase of equipment RUB 135,000
Buying furniture RUB 102,000
Buying bedding 42,000 rub.
Buying dishes 30,000 rub.
Buying curtains, towels 20,000 rub.
Purchasing household products 6,000 rub.
Buying food supplies 1,000 rub.
Website creation 11,000 rub.
Buying a cash register 15,000 rub.
Repair of premises 300,000 rub.
Obtaining a firefighter's report
Internet connection 600 rub.
Equipment installation
Apartment equipment
Launch
Total RUB 679,400

The entrepreneur searches for and hires employees, and he also studies existing booking systems to assess competition. Advertising includes placement on the Internet and contracts with travel agencies.

The purchase of bedding includes mattresses, pillows, blankets, bed linen (2 sets for each bed).

Household products include supplies of shampoo, shower gel, soap, as well as products necessary for cleaning premises (including mops, rags).

Food supplies include sugar, coffee, tea.

Financial plan

Monthly income – 210,000 rubles.

Initial costs – 679,400 rubles.

Periodic costs (calculation for 30 days):

Thus, profit before tax will be: 210,000 – 143,500 = 66,500 rubles.

Taxes: 66,500* 0.15 = 9,975 rubles.

Net profit: 56,525 rubles.

Profitability = 56,525/210,000 = 26.92%.

Payback period = 679,400/56,525 = 12.02. Consequently, the business idea will pay for itself in a little more than a year.

The break-even point is reached after 205 check-ins per day.

Risks

Risk Probability of occurrence Ways to avoid Possible threats
External
Tightening legislation, new norms. Low Solving organizational issues Additional expenses.

Decrease in profitability level.

Emergencies, accidents. Low Insurance Damage to property.

Suspension of activities.

Increased competition. Average Formation of a customer base.

Development of special offers.

Additional services.

Improving quality.

Decrease in income.

Decrease in profitability level.

Loss of some clients.

Seasonal fluctuations in demand. High
Domestic
Choosing an unfavorable location. Average Conducting geomarketing research. Fewer clients.

Lower income level.

Low level of qualifications of employees. Average Hiring experienced workers.

Education.

Dissatisfaction with the service from clients.

Reduced number of potential buyers.

Technological risks Average Timely repair of equipment.

Purchase of new equipment using the depreciation fund.

Decrease in the quality of the service provided.

You might think about developing a hostel for a specific consumer. For example, athletes or musicians with the appropriate paraphernalia (gym, studio room for rehearsals).

It is very important to promptly replace old or broken equipment. You can’t ignore things that are constantly used. You can't skimp on these things.

It is worth considering offering additional services. For example, developing excursions, preparing breakfasts for guests.

Make your hostel original, unlike all the others. Maybe it will be a games room or an entertainment room. In a word, everything that will surprise and be remembered!

Of course, it is necessary to constantly maintain the cleanliness of the premises.

After promoting the premises, you can think about opening another point.

We also recommend watching one of the many videos about entrepreneurs who opened a hostel:

Important: Remember that you can independently create a business plan specifically for your business. To do this, read the articles:

One last request: We are all human and can make mistakes, leave something out, etc. Don't judge harshly if this business plan or others in the section seemed incomplete to you. If you have experience in this or that activity or you see a flaw and can add to the article, please let me know in the comments! This is the only way we can jointly make business plans more complete, detailed and up-to-date. Thank you for your attention!

Over the past few years, hostels have become very popular in our country. This is due to several factors. Firstly, not everyone can afford expensive hotels, secondly, young people, namely they make up the backbone of hostel clients, who are not picky about recreational conditions, thirdly, good hostels, if they are well-designed, are not inferior in comfort to many hotels, but significantly benefit in price.

In this article we will talk to you about how to open a hostel, what aspects to pay attention to first, what documents to collect so that your activity is legal, how to advertise your business, and where to get your first clients. We will also try to draw up a business plan for the hostel, taking into account all the features and subtleties modern market real estate.

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Documents required to open a hostel

Your goal is a serious and reputable institution, with prospects for development not only in your city, but also in the region, and in the future throughout the country. It is clear that you need to officially register your business. To do this you will need the following documents:

  1. Certificate of registration of the enterprise. If you are planning to open one hostel to begin with, then this is perfect individual entrepreneurship. In the future, when the network grows, you can think about registering a legal entity.
  2. You must register with the tax authorities and obtain a tax payment certificate. Many experienced businessmen advise starting with a single tax, because this will allow you to save on contributions to the state treasury and reduce difficulties with reporting on your activities.
  3. Next, you need to obtain a conclusion from the fire inspection that your premises meets all norms and standards and is safe for visitors and staff. This is a very important point, because you are responsible for the lives of the people who will stay with you. No need for negligence. Fulfill all fire service requirements and more.
  4. Conclusion of the SES. Your premises in which the hostel will be located must meet the requirements of the sanitary and epidemiological service.
  5. A rental agreement for premises, or documents that confirm ownership of the property.
  6. An agreement with a company that removes solid household waste.
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The list of documents is not exhaustive, because our legislation is in a state of eternal reformation and “improvement”. Therefore, at the time of the opening of the hostel, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the current legislative framework, find out what changes have been made to the laws governing the opening and operation of hostels. We don’t think that anything will change radically in the coming years, but God protects those who are careful. It’s better to play it safe than to have problems with regulatory authorities and various government services later.

What should a modern hostel have?

As we have already said, a hostel is not a place where two Tajiks live per square meter. We can say that this is an analogue of the well-known hostels, only you can rent your place for a day or more. Hostels are mainly used by young people, tourists, those who like to relax inexpensively and spend the money saved on other, more important points. Based on the main audience of hostels, we can make a list of the required minimum:

  • Firstly, free access to the Internet. As a rule, all good hostels have a WI-FI point, with normal coverage and decent speed. Young people spend most of their lives in global network. Some work, some communicate, some read or play games, and for others, the Internet is a virtual world, without which life is no longer life. Everyone has different goals, but the need is the same - high-quality WI-FI. Sometimes the choice of a particular hostel is based on the availability of free and free access to the network. It’s very surprising to see establishments that still charge their guests for the Internet. The desire to stay in such a redneck place immediately disappears.
  • Nice furniture. Of course, most holidaymakers in hostels are not picky, but you shouldn’t skimp on whitewash. At a minimum, you need to buy normal beds, after a night on which a person will not feel back pain.
  • Household appliances: iron, hair dryer, washing machine, etc. You need to take care of the comfort of your customers.
  • Kitchen with all necessary utensils: kettle, stove, pots, cups, spoons.
  • A dining room where everyone can have a snack. You can offer breakfast yourself, for a fee, you can arrange something like a buffet where you can buy sandwiches and light snacks, or you can not bother at all and give vacationers the opportunity to cook something for themselves.
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This is the minimum, but if you want to be the best, you need to come up with something more. Possible to organize game room, where to put several soft sofas, a couple of TVs and set-top boxes. This will be your feature, and a trump card in advertising, which can attract even more vacationers. If you open a hostel in a tourist city, then free guides and maps for each client can be a plus. This will help the tourist not to get lost in an unfamiliar city, and in this way you will show concern and once again show that you care about the client.

The problem with many hostels is cleanliness and comfort. If you want to be the best, then you need to always keep your mark, and not work out the first few months at the level, and then leave everything to chance. Therefore, sign an agreement with a cleaning company that will do general cleaning once a week. At the same time, you need to wash the kitchen, shower, and clean the rest rooms every day. All towels, bed linen, all dishes - everything should be clean, pleasant, and neat in appearance.

Choosing a room for a hostel

Separately, it is worth dwelling on the issue of choosing premises for the future hostel. It would seem that what to think here - a large room, in the center or near the center, and the trick is in the bag. But it's not that simple. You need to take into account some features that will influence the final choice.

First you need to decide what kind of hostel you want to open. There are several types of hostels:

  • The first type of hostels is designed for 100 or more people. They need a large room, which is divided into several blocks with separate bathrooms, kitchens, and rooms for leisure and recreation. As a rule, such hostels require a lot of effort, time and expense. But the payback is faster. Very often, large hostels are rented by companies that hold seminars or conferences. They invite their representatives from all over the country, and, paying for their housing, place them in hostels of this type. If you are lucky, you may sign an agreement with the company that you will provide them with this type of service on an ongoing basis.
  • Average hostels, designed for 30-50 people. This is the most popular option. If you put 8 people in a room, then you need from 4 to 6 rooms. You can rent or buy two apartments, connect them together, and organize such a hostel. But most often an entire floor with three apartments is purchased. Another one is being converted into a place for relaxation, a large kitchen is being built there, and another shower room is being built.
  • Small family-type hostels. This is usually one apartment with 3-4 rooms. These hostels are designed for 10-15 people. Everything is cozy, without unnecessary noise, like home. 3-4 people can live in one room, which is very convenient. If you arrive small company, then you can rent a separate room, without strangers. Such hostels do not require large investments, they are easier to monitor and care for, and operating costs are much lower. And they have one significant advantage - the price can be set higher. Due to coziness, tranquility, and comfort, you can keep the price 10% higher than competitors who have large and medium-sized hostels. And believe me, if you have a good reputation, many will be happy to overpay, but will come to you.
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Choosing a place for a hostel is simple - it is advisable that they be near public transport interchanges, or within walking distance to the main attractions of the city. Many hostels open right in the center, or very close to it. But there is one minus here - the price of real estate. It’s very good if you own an apartment, or some kind of residential area, but if not, are you ready to invest a tidy sum? Therefore, it is better to make a hostel somewhere further away, but so that your guests can get by metro, trams or buses to anywhere in the city.

Advertising and promotion of the hostel

The advertisement is engine of the trade. IN tourism business, namely hostels can be classified as this; you won’t get far without advertising. Of course, over time, when several hundred clients stay with you and they are all satisfied, word of mouth will work well, and the fame of your hostel will spread throughout the latitudes of our country. But these customers need to be attracted, and for this you need to advertise. We would like to say right away that advertising budget should not be small. But in order not to waste money by using it in completely ineffective areas of advertising, we will present several main areas that will be optimal for hostels.

  • Internet advertising. To successfully develop your business, you need to create your own website on the Internet. Beautiful and pleasant design, clear structure, maximum information content - these are the three pillars on which a normal hostel website should be based. You must describe your hostel, talk about its advantages, show photos of rooms, baths, kitchens, beds. You can even brag about the view from the window, if you have something to brag about. Also show where the hostel is located on the map, what cafes, shops, and public transport stops are nearby. Don’t forget that many potential clients are interested in reviews from those who have already stayed at your hostel. Therefore, we need to somehow encourage people to leave their impressions, write comments, and share their opinions.

A website is good, but if it is not promoted in the Yandex and Google search engines, then it will be of little use. If you yourself are familiar with the basics of SEO, then you can start promoting. Otherwise, entrust this matter to professionals.

It is very important that your site has several interface languages. If the city is touristic, then there is a high probability that foreigners may stay with you. And they are looking for places for a future overnight stay on the Internet.

  • Social media. Don't forget about them too. Create your own pages on VKontakte and Facebook. Promote and advertise the hostel there. Conduct various promotions, give out discounts, and attract people to your group in every possible way. Social media is a great place to find potential clients. Also, do not forget about the advertising that networks offer. You can set up the targeting you need and show it only to those who, in your opinion, best suit the image of a potential client.
  • Advertising through international online booking networks. Now more and more people around the world are using sites that allow them to book accommodation in a matter of minutes. You can study the conditions for admission to such online sites. If you have good rating, normal price, positive reviews, then you will receive up to 90% of all orders through these sites. Therefore, it makes sense to try to fulfill all the conditions and get into their database. Such sites include Booking, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and others that you can easily find on the Internet.

Investments, profitability and payback of the hostel

If you are planning to open a hostel, then the issue of initial investment, profitability and payback will definitely concern you. Perhaps the most serious investment is real estate. You can rent it, but then the payback period will increase several times, or buy it. If we talk about real estate somewhere in the city center, then this can often be a completely unaffordable amount, and not at all realistic for a hostel. Therefore, there are only two options left - either you have a suitable premises (this is an ideal option), or you will rent it. Renting is more complicated. Not every owner will agree to rent out their apartment for this type of business. Unless you sign a contract for a year, or even more, in advance, give a good deposit, and agree to pay 10-15% more than the standard price on the rental housing market. What else initial costs for the opening of the hostel maybe?

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  • Design and decoration of the hostel. Very often they are decorated in some interesting style that would symbolize the hostel or the city in which it is located. In Odessa you can find hostels with a marine theme, the theme of ships, sailors, fishermen, etc. The cost of decoration and design depends on your vision and desire to transform the room. Perhaps you will leave everything as it is and not invent anything. If you rent a room, then most likely you will not be allowed to go wild in terms of renovation and design.
  • Furniture. You definitely need to buy beds, chairs, tables, furniture for the rest rooms and kitchen. In order to save space, you can order bunk beds. This is a common practice in many hostels.
  • Household appliances: kettle, iron, hair dryer, table lamps, washing machines.
  • Sets of towels, bed linen, cups, plates, pots, spoons, forks and other small items necessary for a normal life.
  • If the price includes bath accessories, then you need to purchase shampoos and shower gels.

This is something that should be mandatory, and without which the normal functioning of the hostel is impossible. Everything else is at your discretion, and based on the range of services that your hostel provides, you can purchase additional items.

If we talk about a specific amount, then not everything is clear here either. When drawing up a business plan for a hostel, you should start from the prices that will be at the time of opening the business. Also, a lot depends on the city and region in which you want to start your business. The same can be said about payback. Here, a lot depends on the advertising you give, and on how quality the services provided will be. A small hostel, which is designed for 15 people, can pay for itself in half a year. But this is provided that it will be located in a place convenient for tourists, and you will provide services at high level to ensure constant filling of the hostel.