3.1 million overnight stays and growing share of international guests

3.1 million overnight stays, 73 % room utilization (2024: 74.8 %) and around 116 million euros total sales (2024: 110 million) – this is how the numbers of the a&o Hostels for the first half of 2025. “We clearly feel the reluctance of the guests in the first half of the year. Nevertheless, stable capacity utilization, slightly in installment – but overall in plus,” commented CEO Oliver Winter.

High summer utilization expected

The highest load of almost 80 percent was available in April to June. Up to 90% capacity utilization is expected for summer. 250,000 calls and 180,000 chatbot messages reflect great interest. Among the most requested locations, in addition to houses in Berlin, Hamburg, Prague and Venice, the A&O Hostel Vienna Central Station was again this year. The top 3 source markets were Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain. The proportion of guests from the United Kingdom rose to 4.6%. The proportion of US guests rose from 3.4% to 4.3%. Overall, the proportion of international guests rose from 43.2% to 46.1%.

Attractive at large events and away from that

There were records in A&O history in the comparison period of the previous year, with Euro 2024 and concerts by Taylor Swift and Coldplay. “Event trips are becoming increasingly important, but we also have to be attractive apart from such audience spectacles in everyday life,” said Oliver Winter. “That is why we offer beds from 12 euros every day and have a family discount of 20% in the summer. In addition, we see a rapidly growing demand for our members in the A&O Club” – with almost 300,000 members a clear growth driver.

AI in use, shorter stays, more spontaneous bookings

By investing in renewable energy, AI support for planning needs, self-check-in or mobile-key, A&O priorates efficient solutions. The aim is to pass on the necessary price increases to guests as low as possible. “We are the European brand for price -conscious trips. Nothing will change,” emphasizes Oliver Winter. The core clientele of A&O also includes families, school classes and groups: “People have less in their wallet – we also feel changed guest behavior,” explains Winter. “A weekend trip often only takes an overnight stay. Instead of on Friday, many guests only arrive on Saturday.” In total, the company expects over six million overnight stays this year.

Request for the 25-year-old: “An A&O hostel in every tourist metropolis”

Europe’s largest private hostel chain with 43 houses and over 29,000 beds in 30 cities and ten European countries is growing rapidly. In the second half of 2024 alone, Brighton, Antwerp and Brussels were added to three new locations. In 2025, the A&O Hostel Firenze Campo di opened the new one in February and the new one recently A&O Hostel Milan Ca Granda. Oliver Winter: “At least two more houses will start in 2025.” The number of beds will “clearly exceed the 30,000 mark”. The 50-year-old, who founded A&O in 2000, has a clear goal for the future: “I want a house in every tourist metropolis in Europe and maybe even beyond.”