Hostelbookers.com has signed an inventory integration deal with PlacesToStay.com, the FEXCO AllTravel-owned online hotel reservation programme.The deal, close to the second anniversary of Hostelbookers creation in March 2004, will significantly extend the web site’s range of accommodation. PlacesToStay offers travel trade distributors real-time booking with an inventory of over 25,000 hotel properties offering attractive rates and commission.

Hostelbookers, one of a handful of online budget accommodation providers and No.2 in terms of stock, enables travellers to search and book accommodation such as hostels, boarding rooms and value hotels across 1,300 towns and cities in 109 countries.

The budget travel sector - including students, backpackers, gap year travellers and also families wanting multi-location holidays - has boomed in the last few years. Hostelbookers now handles hundreds of thousands of bookings annually, and works with a truly global customer base.

The Hostelbookers booking system, which connects direct with budget properties for real-time updating of prices and availability, will access PlacesToStay inventory through an XML feed.

David Smith, Hostelbookers’ general manager in its London head office, said: “I’m very familiar with the PlacesToStay programme which offers a good worldwide spread of hotels. Its inventory will supplement our accommodation stock by extending choice in countries and locations where our range may be limited. This will add another feature to our business, whereby we will be able to offer our customers a wider range of accommodation.”

Tim Wright, FEXCO AllTravel’s head of distribution and business development, added: “Hostelbookers is an excellent example of a forward-thinking business exploiting a niche travel sector. Budget accommodation is becoming more and more popular as travellers look for reasonable value and quality. Our inventory deal should help Hostelbookers to drive more sales.”

Having recently upgraded their website, Hostelbookers are now firmly on their way to being the preferred choice for cheap accommodation and hostels for students, backpackers and budget travelers.
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