A Famous Hostels initiative to connect content creators to hostels
Calling all content creators! 2020 was not the year we wanted, but it was the year we got. Despite early European-wide lockdowns, the travel industry is bouncing back. As a result, hostels are adapting, travel companies are changing, and community networks are creating innovative ways to adjust to the new normal.
Famous Hostels looked at ways we could help our community, as well as the travelers who support us. On the business side of things, we found that many hostels were struggling with marketing and social media. And on the traveler side, we found that travelers were an untapped resource for great travel content. That, paired with understanding there are several available beds across our network, we came up with Checkout.note.
Checkout.note is a hub for content creators to connect with hostels providing free accommodation in exchange for content.
Checkout.note by Famous Hostels – Get free accommodation for your travel content
Why Does This Work?
We’ve already mentioned why we came up with this idea, but you may be asking why it actually works. Essentially, hostels need content for their social media channels, and creators need collaborations for their portfolios. On the business side of things, creating content has proven to be more complex than just snapping a photo, and hostels don’t always have staff who can carry this responsibility. However, that doesn’t mean your business’s lack of presence on social media isn’t impacting your bookings and general reputation.
Luckily, there are already travelers who are planning to travel to your destination and create content anyway. By offering free accommodation, you get relevant, high-quality content without having to burden staff with the task.
As a traveler and content creator, cutting costs while on the road is always preferred if possible. The biggest part of your budget is typically travel & accommodation, so you can cut your costs by offering your talents! We’re here to connect everyone.
Checkout.note on Instagram. Create content for any of our destinations in exchange for free accommodation.
Who Can Apply?
Since launching, we’ve received applications from content creators across Europe, as well as inquiries from Brazil and the Caribbean. The wonderful thing about travel content is that it comes in all forms, helping us reach more audiences.
Content creators can apply through the application form on the Famous Hostels website. We review each application, and if approved, we start working on a plan. We launched at the end of August and have been successful in generating applications and great content so far!
Firstly, we’re looking for genuine content creators who can show your hostel and destination to the world. Secondly, we don’t look into how many followers applicants have; we look at the quality of their content and what they’re promising to deliver. In essence, applications are open to anyone who fits the description above!
So far, we’ve received applications from bloggers, photographers, and videographers, all bringing us something unique. Applicants range from enthusiastic travelers, to skilled bloggers, travel videographers, and more.
Some of our Checkout.note content creators!
What Do You Give & What Do You Get?
For hostels, you get the opportunity to generate high-quality, free content in exchange for 3 free nights in a dorm. For creators, you get the opportunity to stay in your destination for free as well as gain a valuable collaborative experience.
We’ve created standards for our content creators and ask them to produce the following based on their application:
- A blog post (min. 750 words) + 5 high-quality photos (topic is decided upon between the creator and our team)
- A series (min. 12) of high-quality photos (in the event blogging is not possible)
- A video of at least 1 min (includes hostel and destination)
All content created is owned by Famous Hostels. It’s used to promote our participating destinations and hostels. Blog posts are posted on the Famous Hostels website under Consigli di viaggio. Besides that, we share them on our social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Videos are shared on our IGTV channel, as well as on our YouTube channel. We might also include this media in various blog posts.
Here are samples of some of the content we’ve generated from our program so far:
Milan, Italy. A sample of the content created by @shegowandering for Ostello Bello
London, UK. Video by @tv_trev
Málaga, Spain. A sample of the content created by @thebrunettevagabondwonder
Seville, Spain. Photo by @travellingthewonderworld
Where Can You Go?
Checkout.note is a service from Famous Hostels, and all member hostels have agreed to offer accommodation in exchange for your content. Here’s a full list of our current destinations and hostels:
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands – The Flying Pig Hostel Uptown
- Barcellona, Spagna – Kabul Party Hostel
- Basel, Switzerland – Hyve Hostel
- Belgrado, Serbia – Arkabarka Floating Hostel
- Berlino, Germania – Sunflower Hostel
- Bilbao, Spagna – Latroupe Hostel
- Bruges, Belgio – St. Christopher’s Inn Bruges
- Brussels, Belgium – Latroupe Grand Place
- Budapest, Ungheria – St. Maverick Hostel
- Catania, Italy – Ostello Degli Elefanti
- Copenhagen, Danimarca – Copenhagen Downtown
- Edimburgo, Scozia – St. Christopher’s Inn Edinburgh
- Ericeira, Portugal – WOT Ericeira Surf Hostel
- Faro, Portugal – Casa D’Alagoa
- Frankfurt am Main, Germany – Five Elements Hostel
- Frolence, Italy – Ostello Bello Florence
- Genova, Italy – Ostello Bello Genova
- Granada, Spagna – Oasis Backpackers Hostel
- Interlaken, Svizzera – Balmers Hostel
- Gerusalemme, Israele – Abraham Hostel
- Lagos, Portugal – Rising Cock Hostel
- Lake Como, Italy – Ostello Bello Lake Como
- Leipzig, Germania – Five Elements Hostel Leipzig
- Lisbona, Portogallo – l'Oasis Backpackers Mansion
- Ljubljana, Slovenia – Celica Hostel
- London, UK – St. Christopher’s Inn London
- Lyon, France – Pilo Hostel
- Madrid, Spagna – Cats Hostel
- Marsiglia, Francia – Vertigo Vieux Port
- Milano, Italia – Ostello Bello Milan
- Monaco di Baviera, Germania – Euro Youth Hotel
- Napoli, Italia – Ostello Bello Naples
- Nizza, Francia – Villa Saint Exupery
- Parigi, Francia – St. Christopher’s Inn Paris
- Porto, Portugal – Cats Hostel
- Praga, Repubblica Ceca – Czech Inn
- Rimini, Italia – Sunflower Beach Hostel
- Roma, Italia – Ostello Bello Rome
- Rotterdam, the Netherlands – Hostel ROOM
- Salisburgo, Austria – YoHo International Hostel
- Stoccolma, Svezia – City Backpackers Hostel
- Trieste, Italy – Hotello
- Valencia, Spagna – il Purple Nest Hostel
- Venice, Italy – ANDA Design Hostel
- Vienna, Austria – St. Christopher’s Inn Vienna
- Varsavia, Polonia – Oki Doki Hostel
However, this program is not exclusive to member hostels within Europe’s Famous Hostels network. Checkout.note wants to work with any hostel (which is not located in or near our member locations) interested in hosting content creators. We currently have two hostels and destinations outside the network that joined our program:
- Dresden, Germany – Hostel Mondpalast
- Nazareth, Israel – Fauzi Azar by Abraham
When Can You Go?
Are you ready to travel? We’re ready to work with you! To ensure that we can confirm your application, agreement, and hostel availability, we would like at least two weeks notice before your travel date. Of course, earlier notice is always preferred. If you don’t yet have a travel date, let us know in your application!
Does this sound like an opportunity for you? Visit our Instagram ed application page to find out how you can become our next Checkout.note content creator. And if you’re a hostel looking to join our program, send us an email to [email protected]
Bonus tip: Save up to 20% by traveling with FlixBus
Excited to travel to Europe? We have a great deal for you! When planning your next trip, we highly recommend going by FlixBus which is one of the most in-demand companies when traveling. FlixBus is the best possible option combining comfort with wallet-friendly as well as environmentally friendly traveling.
Choosing to go by FlixBus you have the opportunity to participate in the Eco-Wanderer campaign ed save up to 20% by choosing to travel sustainably and avoiding planes. Try our calculation tool to claim your discount!
And that’s not all… You can get a 10% discount on FlixBus tickets after signing up and 15% off your next rides after completing 3 trips with Eco-Wanderer!
Traveling with a Eurail ticket? Our calculator also has discounts on that. Your train travel kilometers will be converted into a discount of up to 20% at any Famous Hostel location!
Safe travels and be sure to travel smart! Like this article? Check out our Instagram ed TikTok page to see more of these!
