Network of ‘Backpacker Resorts’ Expands Abroad

The 14-year-old VIP “backpacker� hostel network, which is well known in Australia, is launching into southern Africa and Europe. For the North American budget traveler, it will mean a new source of information on low-cost accommodations and tourism services.

VIP is actually a marketing tool for independent backpacker hostels. The service likes to call its facilities “backpacker resorts,� a term that deflects the negative image that the word “hostel� may carry in North America. The affiliated facilities sell $17 VIP membership cards, but you do not need to be a member to stay in them. The card offers discounts for the affiliated hostels and a variety of travel services.

More than 700 independently owned and operated VIP backpacker resorts are in 43 countries, including more than 130 in Australia and 75 in New Zealand.

The new southern Africa network will have 60 associated hostels in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The European network will have about 200 hostels. The VIP discount directory for Australia and New Zealand is available now; the one on southern Africa is due out in early February, and publication of the “VIP Guide UK/Europe� is scheduled for April.

Rod Austin, director of VIP, says the guides cover the best independent hostels in Europe and Southern Africa, including discounts for VIP cardholders for accommodations, tours, shopping and activities. You’ll be able to search out affiliated hostels along your route that sell memberships. Or consult the VIP Internet site at https://www.backpackers.com.au. Hard copies of the guides will be included in VIP membership kits.

The Internet site also lists affiliated hostels in Asia, including low-cost lodgings in several off-the-beaten-track destinations.

For example, in Papua New Guinea there’s a VIP affiliate in Popondetta. At the Oro Guest House and Popondetta Youth Hostel (P.O. Box 2, Popondetta; 241, telephone 011-675-3297-127, fax 011-675-3297-246) you can arrange trips to see the Queen Alexandra butterfly (largest in the world) in its natural habitat.

In Thailand, the Huey Num Yen House, Umphang District, Tak Province, tel./fax 011-662-561-092, is a Thai-style teakwood house on the bank of the Mae Klong River. From there you can arrange to go trekking, elephant riding and rafting to the western forest and hillside villages.

In Korea, a VIP affiliate is WWOOF Korea Farms. WWOOF is a worldwide organization of “willing workers on organic farms.� There are three organic farms--in Youngkwang, Cheju Island and Chechon--where you can exchange volunteer help for free room and board. Each has shared kitchen, shower and bath plus hiking and travel information, and they are close to the sea. Contact: WWOOF Korea Farms Seoul B/D 1008-Ho, 45 Chongno 1-Ga Chongno-Ku, tel. 011-82-2-723-4458, fax 011-82-2-723-9996.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, VIP calls the Travellers Station Backpackers Hostel “single-handedly the most complete backpacker accommodation in Malaysia.� It provides help in making arrangements to explore Malaysia and Internet services to keep in touch with home. Air-conditioned dormitory beds cost $3.75, and private rooms are available. It’s at 1st Floor, Train Station Building, Jagan Sultan Hishamuddin,

Internet https://www.geocities.com/thetropics/cabana/6469.

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The 8-year-old Independent Traveller’s World show brings together budget and adventure travel services from around the world, including hostel associations, backpacker accommodation networks, tour companies, national tourist boards and guidebook publishers, and it includes free lectures by travel writers and specialists. Full program and exhibitor details are available on the ITW Internet site at https://www.itwnet.com. The Edinburgh show will be Feb. 5 and 6 at the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms, 54 George St., in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. Waverly rail station and St. Andrews bus station are a five-minute walk.

Internet https://www.izon.com.