This is not a franchise offer. An offer can only be made through the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and in compliance with U.S. federal and state franchise laws.
The Zostel Network
Multiple stay models. One Powerful brand. Community of many.
Vibrant backpacker hostels for a social, eventful getaway.
Premium hostels with aesthetic spaces and curated experiences.
Family friendly home stays, villas for a private, offbeat escape.
A new-age social hotel brand, community, comfort.
Networking havens to stay, work, & party.
The Backpacking Boom 💥 is Coming
& So are we
What is Backpacking?
Backpacking is a style of budget friendly and independent travel where explorers carry their essentials in a backpack and prioritize experiences over luxury.
4-5 nights
The average stay duration is 4-5 nights per trip for domestic US hostellers.
Source: Phocuswright's 2022 U.S. Lodging Report
$1.7B+
is the expected market size in next 10 years with current $651 Million market growing Year on Year
Source: USA Hostel Market Growth – Demand, Trends & Forecast 2025-2035 by Future Market Insights
10M
people in the US took backpacking trips in 2023, with domestic travel making up 68% of all trips
Source: Dream Big Travel Far Blog, Travel Tourism Statistics - travelperk.com
69% GenZ travelers
Many Gen Z travelers prioritize budget, social experiences, and sustainability, making branded hostels a popular choice
Source: Phocuswright, 2023
The statistics presented are from third-party industry research and do not represent actual or forecasted performance of Zostel franchises. Individual franchise performance may vary.
The backpacker economy is global—and growing fast.
Being a franchise partner of Zostel for my first-ever business venture was a rewarding experience for me. The vibe of Zostel as a whole fell in sync with my vision for a property that functions as a space that allows people to meet a different version of themselves in a slow-paced, healing environment. Having the autonomy to cater to the needs of my guests and weave my personal style into the core of my establishment makes the collaborative effort shine through,
Bala
Owner @ Zostel Poombarai
I have been working with Zostel as a franchise partner, and I am pleased to say that I like the brand love from the guests. This aligned with my goal to operate Zostel in West Sikkim (Rinchenpong) as well. The relationship with the Zostel has been very collaborative. It's a valuable partnership to be a part of Zostel.
Karma
Owner @ Zostel Gangtok
Zostel has been fulfilling part and a cornerstone of my professional journey since December 2018. It enables me to provide guests with a unique backpacker stay experiencein my city. This, in turn, has contributed to the city's tourism as well. The Zostel Central Team has always been just a call or Slack message away, embodying professionalism, ethical values, and fairness in addressing any situation. Personally, I feel honored to be part of this community, and I have grown alongside it over the years.
Yuvraj Khedkar
Owner @ Zostel Aurangabad
This testimonial reflects the individual experience of individual franchise owners. Results are not typical and may vary from one property to other.
Zo Hotels
Coming SoonWe are more than just getting in the hotels: social Hotels is what are working towards, building a brand which ties to the community and that reflects in our properties
Zo Hotel New York
Zo Hotel SF
Zo Hotel Perth
+ More flagship Zo Hotels soon
Why Own a Zostel? What we offer
Tech-enabled booking. Built for operational efficiency
- Leaner operating costs with tech enabled booking tool.
- Centralized booking + dynamic pricing tools
- Optimized for both offbeat and high-footfall locations
Tech-First Operations That Scale
- Manage everything remotely with our proprietary dashboard
- Automation for bookings, housekeeping, reviews & more
- Real-time visibility, fewer manual tasks
Global Brand Recognition
- 90+ properties across Indo pacific, South East Asia.
- Zostel has welcomed over 4 million travelers — and counting.
- Leverage Zostel's reputation, recall, and brand love by travelers.
End-to-End Support from Day One
- Assistance with design, launch, hiring & training
- Ongoing support with marketing, reviews, and optimization
- Perfect for first-time or seasoned hospitality investors
Be a Part of Zostel Network and Pioneer the Global Backpacker Brand in the U.S.
This is not a franchise offer. An offer can only be made through the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and in compliance with U.S. federal and state franchise laws.
Since 2013, we've grown into world's largest backpacker hostel brand
Built for the New-Age Traveler.⚡️Powered by Experience.
There's no dominant player in the U.S. backpacker hostel space—Zostel gives you the edge to lead a fast-growing market.
90+
Hostels and Homes
60+
Regions Unlocked
4M+
Travelers Hosted
1M+
Social Community
4.5/5
Average Travellers Rating
We're Looking for
Existing Property Owners
You already own a property in a high-footfall or offbeat location and want to turn it into a profitable, professionally managed hospitality business.
Entrepreneurs & Real Estate Developers
You're looking to diversify into the hospitality sector with a scalable, low-touch, tech-enabled brand that attracts a growing global audience.
Retirees & Lifestyle Investors
You want to invest in a property that generates revenue and gives you the freedom to live close to nature or culture—without daily operational hassle.
Impact-Driven Hosts
You believe in cultural exchange, local economies, and experience-first travel. You want your property to inspire and connect people from around the world.
Not looking to open a Zostel? Planning a trip to India instead?
Experience the colors, flavors, and soul of India with stays and experiences curated just for you.
