Your existing zoning may be a legal non-conformity, in which case you need not get it changed. Well, pretty historic buildings don t always see it that way because repairing these buildings can be costly, almost prohibitive. Establishing your hostel in a business centre of a town or city is usually a good bet, and if there s another hostel nearby, you can benefit from the overflow of that hostel. Make sure your hostel is better than the other one. Many folks who have used hostels want to start their own.
Financing can be a real barrier to fulfilling that dream.
You ll need a friendly banker and a good business plan. The latter is most challenging but many economic development councils in your community will give you good advice. Know that guidebooks will bring you business and spread the word to them that you plan to open a hostel. Your hostel doesn t need to be in a gateway city like Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal. Research has shown that if you own a hostel in a rural area, folks will soon find out about them.