a&o Hostels, the European hostel chain, reported its best-ever company performance in 2024 with consistent growth across guest numbers, revenue, overnight stays and new openings, according to its latest annual report.
In 2024, a&o recorded 6.2 million overnight stays (up from 6.1 million in 2023), welcomed 2.8 million guests (compared to 2.7 million in 2023), and generated £192.7 million in revenue (an increase from £179.9 million in 2023). The average occupancy rate across its European properties stood at 76.6%.
As part of its expansion efforts, a&o opened new hostels in Brighton, Antwerp and Brussels. In February, the company officially launched a&o Firenze Campo di Marte in Florence. Looking ahead, a&o will focus its expansion on major European metropolitan areas, with the Heidelberg property as the next milestone. Scheduled to open in late 2026, the five-story hostel will feature 118 rooms.
“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”, said a&o founder and CEO Oliver Winter.
Trends and Performance Metrics
Group travelers continue to represent the largest segment of a&o’s guests, accounting for 38% of the total. As a result of website improvements, the company has seen a rise in direct bookings, with 40% now made through the platform. Group travelers typically stay for three nights, while individual travelers average 1.8 nights. Furthermore, 5% of guests are now using the Mobile Key feature, opting to use their phones as room keys.
In 2024, a&o also recorded a significant rise in digital engagement. The company saw 142,023 chatbot sessions, a sharp increase compared to the previous year. App downloads grew to 450,000, and a&o Club memberships reached 200,000. Overnight stays in female dorms totaled 112,000, reflecting growing demand.
In terms of bookings, direct bookings make up nearly half of all reservations. The a&o app has experienced the highest growth among booking platforms, with 70% of online bookings now made via smartphones. a&o Köln Dom recorded the highest occupancy rate, followed by a&o Berlin Mitte and a&o Edinburgh City. Most guests come from Germany, followed by Poland, Austria and Denmark. International travelers make up 46.3% of the guest mix, highlighting a balanced customer base between domestic and international visitors.
Sustainability Efforts
a&o has reduced carbon emissions per overnight stay by 78% over the last decade and aims to keep pushing for eco-friendly initiatives, such as increased use of green electricity, reduction of food waste, optimized supply chains and greater social and cultural engagement. “We are focusing on internal sustainability efforts rather than outsourced compensation measures,” said Winter.
In addition, educational programs such as a&o educare and art&o will expand further, with independent audits ensuring transparency.
Since its foundation in Berlin in 2000, a&o has grown to 42 locations and employs over 1,000 people from more than 50 countries.
