Electronic word of mouth: Does it really matter to backpackers? Booking website reviews as an indicator for hostels’ quality services

Touristic preferences of hostel guests during COVID‐19 times: The case of Oporto

“…The article of Martins et al (2018) reveals that there is still no plan to develop and promote backpacker tourism in Portugal, unlike competing countries; consequently, its potential social and economic impact is unknown. In Portugal, before the COVID‐19 pandemic, in 2018 hostels have welcomed 878 thousand guests, which provided 1.9 million overnight stays, and in 2019 these numbers increased since hostels welcomed 1.1 million guests, which was translated into 2.3 million overnight stays (Hecht and Martin, 2006; INE, 2019).…”

“…The main factors pointed out to contribute to the choice of a hostel are the cost–benefit ratio and location (Firth & Hing, 1999; Hecht & Martin, 2006; Hostelworld Group, 2016; Martins et al, 2018; Nash, Thyne, & Davies, 2006; Veríssimo & Costa, 2018). Regarding the preferences of the hostel guests, according to Tavares and Fraiz Brea (2020), were grouped into eight factors: the hostel's general safety, the hostel's cleaning, its basic furniture, the guests help services, design and atmosphere, location near positive externalities, the conviviality and entertainment of guests, and the hostel's objective physical safety.…”

“…Regardless of the adopted approach, studying the “destination's attractiveness” concept is nowadays accepted as one of the most determining factors of the sector's competitiveness. Online consumer reviews (OCRs) and the so‐called electronic word of mouth (E‐WOM) represent the primary source of information from which young backpackers choose their hostels (Martins et al, 2018).…”

“…For Martins et al (2018), OCRs and E‐WOM are related by their speed by always being updated and available, mirroring customer experience satisfaction. It is demonstrated that they grant priceless references to help potential customers, turning into the digital age's word of mouth.…”

“…In the city of Oporto, there has been a rise of hostels since the beginning of the XX century. According to the studies of Valls (2016), Brochado and Gameiro (2013), Martins, Rachão, and Costa (2018), and Tavares and Fraiz Brea (2017), hostel guests value the location in a safe area, with the easiness of public transportation and, preferably, in the city's oldest (historic) zone. These studies also show that, in a hostel, its design and atmosphere are essential aspects, and that hostel guests value the fact that this accommodation allows organizing trips independently and flexibly, besides allowing to have more informal activities and being a cheap accommodation with a kitchen available.…”