[at-l] Palmerton Hostel

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

At 07:13 AM 9/21/2004 -0400, Bror8588@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 9/20/04 23:03:57 Eastern Daylight Time,
>janl2@mindspring.com writes:
>
> > JohnO,
> > a practical suggestion.
> > How about arranging for Bob Peoples of Kincorra hostel to speak with
> > the town powers-that-be? Bob manages to run a very tight ship and is
> > well-respected.
> > In discussions with him, I've learned some things about hostels and
> > know he could offer very pragmatic suggestions - and AT connection and
> >
>
>In the Hotel Industry and other industries there are Associations that meet
>at yearly conferences or who publish a newsletter targeted toward the
>particular needs of the industry.  Is there not a "Hostel Industry 
>Association?"  There
>are enough hostels and hospitality shelters along the length of the
>Appalachian Trail to make it worthwhile.
>
>Perhaps the Appalachian Trail Conference could address the initiation of
>discussion among trail related services.  Some restaurants with experience 
>(bad
>and good) with Long Distance Hikers might have good input or use the 
>association
>as a venting outlet.
>
>I would suggest a committee made up of members who care about this aspect of
>trail life.  A newsletter is a big (time consuming) venture but perhaps a
>subscription and advertising would cover the expenses and even bring some 
>income
>to cover startup and maintenance costs including travel or whatever expenses
>the committee might incur.
>
>While it is true that in some locations there is competition for business and
>hikers have their favorite places along the trail the organization would
>benefit hikers and service providers alike and may even prove to be an 
>instrument
>for publicizing the availability of resting places along the trail.  It could
>also be a resource in regard to shuttles available in various areas from
>Georgia to Maine.
>
>Just a few thoughts rattlin' around in my brain.
>
>Skylander

The glitch that immediately comes to mind with this suggestion is MONEY. 
Hotels are profit making enterprises. Joining associations and subscribing 
to industry newsletters are justified by the increased profits that come 
from such associations and information. Hostels of the type JohnO got the 
letter from are "out of the goodness of our hearts and we *hope* you will 
donate enough to cover the cost" organizations. Asking them to take on the 
additional burden of solving the problem is unrealistic when they can solve 
it (and spare themselves a lot of other self imposed hassles) by simply 
closing the hostel.