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A&O Hostels, the European hostel chain, said it delivered a record company performance in 2024, as it recorded 6.2 million overnight stays, 2.8 million guests and recorded revenues of £192.7m (2023: £179.9m).
Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, A&O currently operates 42 hostels with around 30,000 beds in 28 cities across 11 European countries.
In addition to an increase in revenue, guest numbers, and overnight stays, A&O opened three new locations in 2024 including properties in Brighton, Antwerp, and Brussels.
Group travellers remain A&O’s core target audience, making up 38% of the guest share. With extensive website optimisations improving group bookings, 40% of group bookings now occur directly through its site with an average stay of three nights.
The overall average stay for individual travellers slightly decreased from 1.9 to 1.8 nights in 2024.
As the group celebrates its 25th year, In collaboration with owners StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners, A&O is investing £414.6m in expansion, renovation, and modernisation.
Philipp Westermann, partner at Proprium Capital Partners, said: “We look forward to continuing to support a&o Hostel’s significant further long term growth potential, which A&O is well positioned to deliver on as the best-in-class business and brand in the sector.”
European metropolitan areas and popular destinations remain the primary focus of the group’s expansion. The newest project, A&O Heidelberg, will feature 118 rooms in a five-story building. The site has been acquired, and construction will begin in spring 2025, with the opening planned for late 2026.
CEO Oliver Winter said: “2024 represented steady growth and has surpassed the record results of 2023 to make this the best performance in our history. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2025, a&o has entered the year strongly and confidently and we remain really well placed to create and deliver long-term sustainable growth.
“A quarter-century of A&O is not just about growing to 42 locations since 2000. We have evolved and created a budget product that is attractive to both travellers and investors, elevating it to a new level.”
