New Delhi,  Jan 21: The Hosteller, India’s largest backpacker hostel chain, announced strong growth in 2025, driven by inventory expansion, rising repeat demand, and an increasing share of direct bookings. During January–December 2025, the brand added 2,100 new beds, a 72% year-on-year increase in bed inventory, and expanded its footprint to 5,100 beds across 72 hostels in 56 cities. In total, the company added 19 new hostels, marking a 25% growth in the number of hostels during the year.

The brand served 496,554 guests in 2025, reflecting robust demand in domestic travel. A key highlight of the year was the rise in guest loyalty, with the repeat guest rate increasing to 38.3%, up from 16.4% in 2024, representing 133% year-on-year growth. Direct bookings accounted for 55% of total reservations, demonstrating strong customer trust and engagement.

The Hosteller operates on a self-operated model, maintaining full control over guest experience and operational standards. In 2025, 95% of the company’s revenue came from self-operated hostels, with the remaining 5% from operational management contracts. By building a geographically diversified network, The Hosteller has been able to reduce the impact of seasonality, while standardised operations, technology-driven revenue management, and a community-first approach have supported efficient growth.

Commenting on the performance, Pranav Dangi, CEO & Founder, The Hosteller said, 

“2025 has been a strong year for us. We expanded our network to 56 cities and added 2,100 beds while maintaining operational control across all hostels. The growth in repeat guests and direct bookings demonstrates the trust in our brand and the strength of our community-led, self-operated model.”

Looking ahead, The Hosteller plans to continue expanding across key travel destinations in India, focusing on strengthening repeat guest engagement, direct bookings, and operational efficiency.