Launched in 2021, Famous Hostels’ Eco-Wanderer campaign aimed to inspire travelers to make greener choices when planning their trips by choosing trains and buses over planes.
In response to the European Travel Commission’s challenge for the Best Rail Campaign in 2021, Famous Hostels developed the Eco-Wanderer campaign, a Carbon Emissions calculator that converts the CO2 offset generated by opting for more environmentally friendly transportation into direct discounts at hostels.
The initiative was awarded with the top prize for its innovative promotion of sustainable travel, hoping to ignite a crucial conversation about the importance of addressing climate change.
Aligned with European Climate Law and the EU’s goal of achieving a net 55% reduction in emissions by 2030, Eco-Wanderer wants to help minimizing the direct impact on carbon emissions produced through travel by simple traveler choices.
Flixbus joins Famous Hostels’ Eco-wanderer campaign
For 2024, we are excited to announce the inclusion of Flixbus’ routes in our fight against climate change. Users can now claim discounts by opting to travel by bus, in addition to the existing Eurail option.
The calculation is based on FlixBus’ average emission factor in Europe, as per their 2021 Well-to-Wheel analysis by Atmosfair(slight variations possible in individual countries).
The inclusion of Flixbus to the calculator provides travelers with more options when planing their trips, while being sustainable and receiving discounts on stays at Europe’s best hostels.
Additionally, users can enjoy a 10% discount on FlixBus tickets upon signing up and an extra 15% off their next rides after completing three trips with Eco-Wanderer.
How to claim your hostel discount using your Flixbus ticket?
The process is straightforward: users can access the calculator on Famous Hostels’ homepage, input their journey’s departure point, select a Famous Hostels destination, and calculate their discount. Upon completion, users receive a conversion certificate via email, enabling them to claim a discount at their chosen hostel.
For instance, choosing to travel from Madrid to Paris by bus instead of by plane results in a reduction of 169 kg of CO2, which converts into a 15% discount on a stay at St.Christophers’ Inn Paris Hostel(the Famous Hostel member in Paris).
Users can also collect badges as they go and claim prizes, from ticket discounts to free nights at the 46 Famous hostels locations in Europe.
After selecting your departure and destination, the Eco-Wanderer calculator converts your CO2 offset in direct discount at Famous Hostels’ 46 locations.
Hostels are more sustainable than hotels
Besides motivating travelers to re-think of their means of transportation, the Eco-Wanderer campaign also aims to raise awareness to travelers’ choices when picking their accommodation.
While it may sound obvious that hostels are indeed the most sustainable form of accommodation, a recent study by Bureau Veritas and Hostelworld managed to get it down to numbers, revealing that hostels produce 82% less carbon footprint than hotels.
The fact that by sharing spaces like rooms and common areas, hostels enjoy of a more efficient use of resources such as water, waste management and energy, sets the industry ahead when analysing the impact of tourism activity.
Furthermore, In recent years, an increasing number of hostels have signed into The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)’ framework, which hopes to establish and manage global standards for sustainable travel and tourism.
The Ostello Bello In Milan is renowned for its aperitivo nights, blending locals and travelers through culture and food.
Given the undeniable reality of climate change, in the end of 2023 Famous Hostels announced the creation of its to create an Environmental, Sustainable, and Governmental Committee (ESG) in partnership with Hostel Doctor, with the goal of supporting member hostels in their sustainability journey, by suggesting and implementing concrete, feasible, and measurable sustainable practices along the network.
Beyond environmental initiatives, members hostels are also challenged to include social impacting procedures at the hostels, blending the local communities with tourists, as well as responsible corporate governance measures.
200 tonnes of CO2 saved since 2021.
Since its launch the Eco-Wanderer campaign has motivated travelers’ in Europe to reduce over 200 tonnes of CO2 and contributed to a 300% increase in Eurail users staying at its members hostels if compared to pre-pandemic levels. Bolstered by the strong presence of Flixbus on the European map, the goal for 2024 is to achieve a total of 1000 tonnes of CO2 savings.
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Flying Pig Uptown
Barcelona, Spain – Kabul Party Hostel
Basel, Switzerland – Hyve Hostel
Belgrade, Serbia – ArkaBarka Floating Hostel
Berlin, Germany – Sunflower Hostel
Bilbao, Spain – Latroupe La Granja
Bruges, Belgium – The Bauhaus St. Christophers
Brussels, Belgium – Latroupe Grand Place
Budapest, Hungary – Maverick Hostel
Catania, Italy – Ostello Degli Elefanti Hostel
Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhagen Downtown
Edinburgh, U.K. – St. Christophers Inn
Ericeira, Portugal – Wotel Ericeira
Faro, Portugal – Casa d’Alagoa
Florence, Italy – Ostello Bello
Frankfurt, Germany – Five Elements Hostel
Granada, Spain – Oasis Backpackers
Interlaken, Switzerland – Balmers Hostel
Jerusalem, Israel – Abraham Hostel
Lagos, Portugal – Rising Cock Hostel
Leipzig, Germany – Five Elements Hostel
Lisbon, Portugal – Sunset Destination Hostel
Ljubljana, Slovenia – Celica Hostel
London, U.K. – St. Christophers Village
Marseille, France – Vertigo Vieux Port
Munich, Germany – Euro Youth Hotel
Nice, France – Villa Saint Exupery
Paris, France – St. Christopher’s Paris Canal
Porto, Portugal – Cat‘s Hostel Porto
Prague, Czech Republic – Czech Inn
Rimini, Italy – Sunflower Beach Hostel & Bar
Rotterdam, Netherlands – Hostel ROOM
Salzburg, Austria – Yoho Hostel
Stockholm, Sweden – City Backpackers
Valencia, Spain – Purple Nest Hostel
