Hostelworld.com, the leading provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market, announced substantial industry growth in new destinations across the globe including Moldova and Columbia, where over the past year bookings grew 600 per cent and 266 per cent, respectively. Ukraine hostel bookings increased by 181 per cent during this period while Uruguay experienced growth of 147 per cent.

Top Cities emerging as popular travel destinations are:
- Kiev, Ukraine – 218 per cent
- Zadar, Croatia – 160 per cent
- Hiroshima, Japan – 89 per cent

Other regions that experienced significant growth in hostel bookings over the past year include:
- El Salvador – 104 percent
- South Korea – 86 percent
- Malaysia – 45 percent

“Growth in these markets is driven in part by the economy and those seeking more affordable choices in accommodations,” said Hostelworld.com spokesperson Aisling White. “Additionally, the spirit of adventure, the desire of travellers to seek out more authentic travel experiences and the maturing of the hostel industry are also driving this movement.”

The growth is also driven by a wealth of information on hostels and travel made available through sites such as Hostelworld.com. Award winning travel videos allow individuals to take a walking tour of remote locations or discover the 10 things you absolutely should know about your destination. City guides and podcasts provide a breakdown on cities all over the world in terms of what to see and do. Millions of user-reviews and a social network equip budget-conscious travellers with an arsenal of knowledge provided by like-minded individuals. With these tools, travellers are more informed than ever before, and this knowledge is helping to drive the budget, independent and youth travel industry in markets across the globe. Furthermore with Hostelworld.com, available in 23 languages, offering over 20,000 hostels in 6,000 destinations and spanning 170 countries, the choice for customers is greater than ever before.