The aim of this paper is to assess whether the importance of different characteristics of the overall hostel guests’ experience vary according to the age, gender and nationality of backpackers’. This research took a two-step approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. An interview with a hostel manager and a content analysis of hostel booking websites were carried out in order to identify the main aspects that customers value in a hostel experience. Then, a survey was performed in order to gather data from hostel customers. Based on a sample of 313 hostel guests staying in Lisbon from December 2012 to February 2013, the results indicated an emerging diversity and increasing heterogeneity of backpackers’ preferences. Therefore, different marketing strategies should be developed for different market segments in this sector in order to delight backpackers.

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Backpackers; Guest's experience; Hostel industry; Market segmentation