Backpackision

Backpack

Tom Kennedy and Ray Nolan developed

Originally created as a reservation management system called Backpack to hostels

10 copies sold in 1999

100 by 2001

Web Reservation International uses this software

WRI

Used Backpack to create an online reservation site for hostel bookings (is now the biggest global provider of online reservations for the budget accommodation sector).

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What is a hostel?

A hostel or youth hostel is essentially a form of accommodation that offers reasonably priced, shared accommodation to travelers in either private or dormitory rooms. The majority of hostels around the world are independently owned and many of these have their own bars and restaurants.

The BYIT

The BYIT is the budget, youth and independent traveler.

This travel segment is worth $4.5 billion annually.

Vision and Mission

Current mission and vision:

"...to provide on-line confirmed bookings for hostels, budget accommodation centers and package tours, as well as comprehensive content such as city and country guides."

Updated:

Our vision is to become the easiest and cheapest means for booking hostel reservations, in order remain the largest resource for the budget traveler.

Our mission is to provide the budget travelers throughout the world an affordable place to stay, that they can easily book over the Internet using the Backback system that we have developed. We will remain committed to growth and employee satisfaction, while focusing on the basic task of fulfilling the needs of the worlds' budget travelers.

Since WRI is already the largest reservation system for hostels, they must remain focused on maintaining that position. In writing their mission and vision, I focused on the ease of use through the Backback system (and the internet), and focused on growth. I do not feel like their current mission and vision focus on the future or a plan for growth. They do focus on the present, but do not have many of the 9 components that are supposed to be in a mission.