20 on the road – How backpacking has changed in the last 20 years
All this talk of our 20th birthday has made us feel a little nostalgic. We are thinking back to simpler times, when the Backstreet Boys ruled the charts, when we sported chokers and total denim outfits, and our first wave of intrepid travellers began booking hostel beds, unaware that the adventures they would soon have would change their lives and ours!
Looking back, it is clear that backpacking has transformed over the last two decades. Gone are the days of paper maps and internet cafes, the types of destinations we choose to explore have changed, the kit in our backpacks is different, and meeting the world in 2019 is a whole different ball game. If you’re wondering how backpacking has changed since we came on the scene in 1999, get ready to take a step back in time!
📷 @leio
Oh, and one more thing… we’re not gifting types, but if you really want to, we’d love to see your pretty little face at the Biggest Hostel Party Ever. You’ll find us in 20 different hostels around the world in August, where you can expect themed parties, crazy challenges and free drinks – what are you waiting for?
Where did we travel in 1999?
In the beginning, historic cities, picturesque green scenery and bargain nightlife in Europe were at the top of our backpackers’ lists. That hasn’t changed – Europe is still the most visited region – but cities like Dubrovnik and Budapest are no longer so off the beaten track or alternative and beer is no cheaper than water in Prague.
The landscape of the Balkans, the current coolest corner of Europe, looks totally different from what it was 20 years ago. The former Yugoslav nations of Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo still formed one country, as the latter did not gain independence until 2006 and 2008. Due to the Balkan war that devastated the region during the 1990s, this area was rarely visited by our first wave of hostellers. Today, however, the Balkans are safe and thriving: they are a dream for backpackers who are eager to discover the fairy-tale countryside of Slovenia, the beautiful beaches of Croatia, the wild festivals of Serbia and Bulgaria and the vampire legends of Romania.
In Asia, Myanmar opened its doors to the world in 2011 and backpackers have slowly begun to discover its beautiful temples and balloon-filled landscapes. Changes in Sri Lanka’s tourism regulations in the mid-2000s allowed the small tear-shaped island to become one of the best backpacker destinations on earth. We can’t believe we missed those epic surf beaches, tasty curries and incredible nature experiences for so long!
And these were not the only hotspots banned to most travellers in 1999. If you had told your parents 20 years ago that you were leaving for Iran, you would probably have given them a heart attack. Your grandmother would probably still be worried today, but Iran is actually one of the most exciting and inviting countries for all backpackers in 2019. Unless you like colourful mosques, lively bazaars, traditional tearooms and cosy bars! And if you would have struggled to find a place to stay back then, we now have over 80 hostels in Iran to create your perfect Persian adventure!
Similarly, in 1999 Colombia had a negative reputation of being a dangerous country. Colombia has worked hard to rid itself of this reputation and reach the top of the list of the most popular destinations. Today in Medellin you can breathe good vibes, in Guatapé you can admire all the bizarre colourful houses of and not forgetting that the pristine beaches of the Caribbean coast are conquering our Pinterest and Insta boards. In fact, Colombia now has so many hostels that it is only surpassed by Thailand and Vietnam – something we would never have predicted in 1999! Take a look at Viajero Tayrona Hostel & Ecohabs. It has a private beach, outdoor pool, beach bar and luxurious eco habs, and will be hosting one of our 20th anniversary parties. Don’t miss the party at this crazy hostel on 4 August!
📷 Viajero Tayrona Hostel & Ecohabs
How did we travel in 1999?
In 1999 it was difficult, if not impossible, to imagine that one day we would have an app for literally everything. In 1999 we had to think of solutions instead of letting our phones handle everything. Luckily those dark days are far behind us, but our first generation of backpackers really did venture out on their own!
For starters, there was no Google Maps to navigate the other side of the world, so the backpackers of ’99 had to rely on paper maps: clumsily folding one of these into the street is the quickest way to label yourself a tourist! And this was not the only extra they had to cram into their backpacks. Heavy guidebooks took up a large portion of space, but when there were no travel bloggers to show us which places were must-sees, thick guidebooks were the best travel companions. There were no simultaneous translation apps and we had to do everything the old-fashioned way and the biggest stress was trying to contact home in a pre-Whatsapp world: instant messaging was a futuristic dream, so a 5-page email sent over a slow ADSL connection from an internet café or an expensive phone call from public phones were the only ways to update the family during various adventures.
There was no chance to provoke envy with your travel snaps. The word ‘selfie’ had not yet been invented and you only had one chance to get the perfect shot. Camera rolls were expensive and you had no way to see the photos until you got home to have them developed, you just had to hope for the best! But without Insta or Facebook to display our travel photo galleries, this was not even on our minds. Not to mention that without social media it was virtually impossible to keep in touch with all your new travel friends. And influencers! Pfft, the most influential thing at the time were third-hand stories from friends of friends who knew the coolest underground bars in Berlin.
Without ATM cards, you practically had to be an accountant to process all the different currencies you needed for a backpacking trip. Interacting in pre-euro Europe in the days before cards like Revolut was a mathematical nightmare! Coupled with the fact that we weren’t yet around to help you find amazing hostels, authentic experiences and amazing deals… 90s travellers, chapeaux!
Where were we staying in 1999?
Today, our ever-expanding global family consists of 16,500 hostels in 179 countries (our Christmas card list is out of control), but when we started, our list of hostels was in double digits, and it was none other than Avalon House in our hometown of Dublin that joined us first – thanks for the trust, guys! Today they are still with us and offer affordable accommodation in the heart of the city, plus a free breakfast buffet, a lively games room and an on-site cinema room with a huge 65″ screen!
In fact, many of our favourite hostels have been with us since the early days. The crazy parties and rooftop barbecues at Kabul Party Hostel Barcelona are still going strong after two decades, and The Yellow has never stopped providing an army of backpackers with the cheapest drinks in Rome. We send lots of love to Amsterdam for the Flying Pig Downtown, which with its unbeatable city centre location, lively DJ nights and great freebies like walking tours, makes every backpacking trip special. London is a city travellers will never tire of, and the same can be said for the epic skyline views of St Christopher’s Village, comfy beds and legendary burgers. And let’s not forget the good vibes ofHostel Ruthensteiner in Vienna, which has been welcoming travellers for 20 years – because who wouldn’t like to linger in their music room while sipping a home-brewed beer in their microbrewery?
📷 Kabul Party Hostel, Barcelona
It’s no secret that hostels have always been the love of our lives, but we have to admit that the hostels of 1999 were nothing like what we have today. While our 90s tribe was happy with a cheap roof over their heads, 2019 travellers have plenty of crazy hostels around the world to choose from. Infinity pools, sun terraces and colourful artwork are at the core, this is not hard to find in today’s hostels! Travellers in 2019 can live the Californian dream in a hippy beach paradise straight out of the 1960s by staying at USA Hostels Ocean Beach, or they can choose a traditional Moroccan riad with a beautiful pool or watch the Montreal skyline from a rooftop hot tub at M Montreal. Seriously, has there ever been a better time to go!
Are you also an old school backpacker? Or a newbie who wouldn’t go anywhere without your legion of reliable travel apps? Let us know about your adventures in the comments below!
P.S, if you love hostels, fancy dress and surprises, don’t forget to join us at the Greatest Hostel Party Ever. Find out where we’ll be below or join the fun on our Instagram page throughout August. We’re ready for another 20 years of #MeetTheWorld, are you?
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1 August – 1999 – Party like it’s 1999 – Christopher’s Berlin Mitte – Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪
2 August – 2000 – Millennium Party – USA Hostels Ocean Beach – San Diego, USA 🇺🇸
3 August – 2001 – Double Denim Party – Selina Can cun Downtown – Cancun, Mexico 🇲🇽
4 August – 2002 – Sk8ter Party – Viajero Tayrona Hostel & Ecohabs – Tayrona National Park, Colombia 🇨🇴
5 August – 2003 – Under the Sea Party – Lub D Phuket – Phuket, Thailand 🇹🇭
6 August – 2004 – Funky Gym Party – Unite Barcelona – Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸
7 August – 2005 – Jungle Party – M Montreal Hostel – Montreal, Canada 🇨🇦
8 August -2006 – Farewell Pluto Party – White Rabbit Hostel Siem Reap – Siem Reap, Cambodia 🇰🇭
9 August – 2007 – Pirate Party – Wake Up! Sydney – Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
10 August – 2008 – Lost Temple Party – JO&JOE Paris – Gentilly – Paris, France 🇫🇷
11 August – 2009 – Vampire Party – Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv – Tel Aviv, Israel 🇮🇱
12 August – 2010 – Greek Myths Party – Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel – Ubud, Indonesia 🇮🇩
13 August – 2011 – Witches and Wizards Party – Wild Rover Hostel Cusco – Cusco, Peru 🇵🇪
14 August – 2012 – Superhero Party – Rodamon Riad Marrakech Hostel – Marrakech, Morocco 🇲🇦
15 August – 2013 – Festival Party – JUNGLE by thehostelcrowd – Goa, India 🇮🇳
16 August – 2014 – Emoji Party – Wombat’s City Hostel Venice Mestre – Venice, Italy 🇮🇹
17 August – 2015 – #MeetTheWorld Party – Emblem Hostel Nishiarai- Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵
18 August – 2017 – Unicorn Party – O De Casa Hostel Bar – São Paulo, Brazil – 🇧🇷
19 August – 2018 – Superstar Party – The Independente Hostel & Suites – Lisbon, Portogallo🇵🇹
20 August – 2019 – Birthday Party – Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage – London, UK 🇬🇧
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