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HOSTELWORLD PLC
ANNUAL REPORT AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2024
Help travellers find people to
hang out with
Get
the
App.
Hostel Ani & Haakien, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
1
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contents
3
About Hostelworld Group
4
Hostelworld Timeline
Strategic Report
10
2024 Highlights
12
At a Glance
14
Chairman’s Statement
19
Chief Executive Officer’s Review
23
Social Features
26
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
30
Hostelworld Culture Code
32
People and Culture
42
Sustainability Report
62
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
73
Viability Statement
75
Section 172 – Statement of Compliance
Governance
86
Directors’ Biographies
90
Corporate Governance Report
107
Nomination Committee Report
117
Audit Committee Report
125
Remuneration Committee Report
146
Directors’ Report and Directors’
Responsibilities Statement
Financial Statements
156
Independent Auditor’s Report
165
Group Financial Statements
169
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
204
Company Financial Statements
206
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
Additional Information
212
Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures
218
Contact and Shareholder Information
220
Definition of Hostelworld Terms
Find us online
This copy of the statutory annual report of Hostelworld Group plc for the
year ended 31 December 2024 is not presented in the European Single
Electronic Format (ESEF) format as specified in the Regulatory Technical
Standards on ESEF (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/815).
The ESEF annual report is available at:
www.hostelworldgroup.com/investors/reports-and-presentations/2025
Website:
www.hostelworld.com
Linkedin:
www.linkedin.com/company/hostelworld-com
Cover Image: Hostel Ani & Haakien, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2
Overview
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
To help travellers
find people to
hang out with
To inspire
adventurous minds
through travel
To shape people’s
lives and attitudes
through travel and
build a better world
OUR
MISSION
OUR
PURPOSE
OUR
VISION
3
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
About Hostelworld Group
Hostelworld Group plc is a ground-breaking social network powered
Online Travel Agent (“OTA”) focused on the hostelling category, with a
clear mission to help travellers find people to hang out with. Our mission
statement is founded on the insight that most travellers go hostelling to
meet other people, which we facilitate through a series of social features
on our platform that connect our travellers in hostels and cities based
on their booking data. The strategy has been extraordinarily successful,
generating significant word of mouth recommendations from our
customers and strong endorsements from our hostel partners.
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Ireland, Hostelworld is a well-known
trusted brand with almost 230 employees, hostel partners in over 180
countries, and a long-standing commitment to building a better world.
To that end, our focus over the last few years has been on improving the
sustainability of the hostelling industry. In particular, over the last two years
we have commissioned independent research to validate the category’s
sustainability credentials, and recently introduced a hostel specific
sustainability framework which encourages our hostel partners to move
to even more sustainable operations and also provides the data points
for our customers to make more informed decisions about where they
stay. In addition, our customers are now able to offset their trip’s carbon
emissions should they wish to do so, and we have maintained our ‘Taking
Climate Action’ label awarded by South Pole.
4
Overview
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
25 years
of meeting the world
Launched our
Hostelworld
website
Hosted our first
‘HOSCARs’
to celebrate
outstanding
hostels
Hosted our first
conference
in
Dublin to bring
hostel partners
from around the
world together to
learn and grow
1999
2004
2002
5
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2006
2014
Opened our
Shanghai
office
Released
new suite of
Hostelworld
iOS and
Android apps
For a quarter of a century, Hostelworld has been at the
forefront of the travel industry,
connecting millions of
travellers on unforgettable trips across the world
.
From our beginnings in Dublin, Ireland, we’ve grown into
a
social-powered global platform, empowering adventure
seekers to explore the world on their own terms
. This
timeline showcases the key milestones, innovations, and
initiatives that have shaped and grown Hostelworld into
the leading online hostel booking platform it is today
.
6
Overview
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Listed on the
London and
Dublin Stock
Exchanges
Rebranded
Hostelworld to
‘Meet the World’
Opened a
technology
development
centre
in
Portugal
Business heavily
impacted by
COVID-19
Launched PWA
– a website that
feels just like
our app
Migrated to
the
Cloud
Launched
Roamies
a partnership
with G Adventures
2017
2015
2020
2021
7
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Launched
‘Staircase
to Sustainability’
hostel framework
Celebrated
25 years
of Hostelworld
Hosted 3 conferences
in
Chiang Mai, Copenhagen,
and Mexico City
Launched our
‘Culture
Code’
to define what
makes us ‘us’
Launched
‘Hangout Status’
allowing users to easily
identify like-minded
travellers to hang out with
Voted
‘Best Tech
Business of the
Year 2022’
at the
PLC awards
Launched social
features
on iOS
and Android
Launched hostel
hosted
Linkups
Accredited with
Investors in
Diversity Silver
Accreditation
Published
‘Understanding
the carbon impact
of hostels vs
hotels’ validating
hostels as
more
sustainable
than hotels
2022
2023
2024
Wake Up! Sydney, Australia
10
2024 Highlights
12
At a Glance
14
Chairman’s Statement
19
Chief Executive Officer’s Review
23
Social Features
26
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
30
Hostelworld Culture Code
32
People and Culture
42
Sustainability Report
62
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
73
Viability Statement
75
Section 172 – Statement of Compliance
Strategic
Report
10
Strategic Report
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
2024 Highlights
Net Bednights
23.3m
2024:
2023:
23.3m
22.7m
Net Revenue
€92.0m
2024:
2023:
€92.0m
€93.3m
Adjusted EBITDA
(1)
€21.8m
2024:
2023:
€21.8m
€18.4m
Cash
€8.2m
2024:
2023:
€8.2m
€7.5m
“In 2024 we achieved growth in net
bookings, driven by record booking
performances in Asia and Central
America. There was a reduction in
average booking values as a result of
a shift in consumer demand towards
lower cost destinations.
Our social strategy continued to drive
engagement while enhancing efficiency,
reducing marketing costs as a percentage
of generated revenue and contributing
to an overall growth in profitability.
Hostelworld also repaid its external
bank borrowings in June 2024, two
years ahead of schedule, and returned
to a net cash position providing a solid
foundation for our next phase of growth.“
Gary Morrison
Chief Executive Officer
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(1)
The Group uses Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) which are non-IFRS measures to monitor the performance of its operations and of the Group as a
whole. These APMs along with their definitions and reconciliations to IFRS measures are provided in Appendix 1 Glossary of APMs set out on pages 212 to
217, which form part of the Annual Report.
Net Bookings
6.9m
2024:
2023:
6.9m
6.5m
Net Average Booking Value (“ABV”)
(1)
€13.21
2024:
2023:
€13.21
€14.36
% of Bookings made by Social Members
(1)
80%
2024:
2023:
80%
67%
Marketing as a % of Generated Revenue
(1)
46%
2024:
2023:
46%
50%
Profit After Tax
€9.1m
2024:
2023:
€9.1m
€5.1m
Adjusted Profit After Tax
(1)
€17.4m
2024:
2023:
€17.4m
€12.0m
Net Cash/(Debt)
(1)
€2.0m
2024:
2023:
€2.0m
€(12.3)m
O
U
R
M
I
S
S
I
O
N
12
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
At a Glance
O
U
R
R
E
V
E
N
U
E
M
O
D
E
L
S
T
A
I
R
C
A
S
E
T
O
S
U
S
T
A
I
N
A
B
I
L
I
T
Y
O
U
R
H
O
S
T
E
L
S
O
U
R
T
R
A
V
E
L
L
E
R
S
O
U
R
E
M
P
L
O
Y
E
E
S
O
U
R
U
N
I
Q
U
E
P
R
O
P
O
S
I
T
I
O
N
F
O
C
U
S
O
N
S
U
S
T
A
I
N
A
B
I
L
I
T
Y
Our Unique Proposition
Leverages the insight that hostellers stay in hostels
to meet other people.
Our social network uses our OTA booking data to
connect travellers with overlapping stay dates in hostels
and destinations within our iOS and Android apps.
Social proposition naturally attracts hostellers with higher
purchase frequencies, who use the app to make more
of their bookings, and then become strong brand advocates.
Collectively, our strategy drives new customer growth,
increased customer retention, and a reduction in marketing
costs as a percentage of generated revenue.
Scalable asset-light platform drives operating leverage.
Help travellers
find people to
hang out with
13
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our Revenue Model
We operate a two-sided marketplace
focused on the hostelling category.
Hostel partners load their bed inventory to
our platform, which we market to customers
via our website and mobile Android and
iOS apps.
We collect a deposit when customers make
a booking on our platform, which is equivalent
to our commission charged to our hostel
partners on the total transaction value.
Hostels connected to our platform account for
c. 78% of all hostel beds sold in the market.
Our Hostels
80%+ are independent owner operated
businesses, 66% have 50 or fewer beds.
Offer dormitory accommodation and private
rooms with large communal areas.
Typically offer a wide range of events and
excursions to help travellers meet new people.
Hostel hosted ‘Linkups’ on our social platform
allow travellers to connect to other people.
c. 75% cheaper than 2-star hotels.
Focus on Sustainability
Hostels are more sustainable than hotels,
producing c. 18% of hotels’ scope 1 and
scope 2 tCO
2
e emissions on a per bed basis
(1)
.
Our hostel series of ‘sustainability stories’
to showcase the hostels that build a
better world.
Awarded South Poles label of ‘Taking Climate
Action’ for a fourth year.
Low scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions
naturally, emission reduction target set for
scope 3 carbon emissions.
Signatory of ‘The Climate Pledge’, with a
mission to reach net-zero carbon by 2040.
(1)
Hostelworld: Understanding The Carbon Impact of Hostels vs. Hotels 2nd Edition
Our Travellers
c. 80% are 18-35 years old.
55% female, 45% male.
65% solo traveller, 28% groups of two.
Tend to be multi-destination trips, with c. 67%
of bookings made within 7 days of stay date.
Many customers make multiple trips per year,
over a period of up to 10 years.
Our Employees
227 employees across 28 nationalities.
55% male, 45% female, supporters of
‘30% Club Ireland’ and the ‘Balance for
Better Business’ group.
Follow an agile, intentionally hybrid way
of working.
Progressive global people policies across
areas such as working from abroad, paid
fertility, and family leave policies.
Accredited with Investors in Diversity
Silver Accreditation.
Celebrated our 25th anniversary with a
Growing Together Employee Conference
at which we launched our Culture Code to
reflect our shared beliefs and values.
Bespoke
Staircase to
Sustainability
programme
Partnering with the Global Sustainable
Travel Council.
Developed a bespoke hostel sustainability
measurement/management system with
Bureau Veritas.
Encourages hostels to move to more
sustainable operations.
Sustainability badging on hostel pages
on website.
Over 2,100 hostels badged in the
programme’s first year.
Strong demand for badged hostels
validating that customers want to
travel more sustainably.
14
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Chairman’s Statement:
Ulrik Bengtsson
I was privileged to join the Hostelworld Board as a
Non-Executive Director, Chair Designate and member of
the Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee
on 02 May 2024, and to subsequently succeed Michael
Cawley as Chairman of the Board and Chair of the
Nomination Committee on 10 October 2024. On behalf
of the Board, I wish to pay tribute to Michael for his
commitment and dedication to the success of the Group
throughout his years of service.
Overview
I must admit that prior to joining Hostelworld, I had never
stayed at a hostel.
This summer, I embarked on a research trip to deepen
my experience of hostelling, travelling by car from the
UK to Sweden and staying exclusively in hostels. It was
a valuable and insightful experience. I witnessed first-
hand the power of our app’s social features to forge
genuine connections among travellers. In every hostel,
I saw and experienced the unique sense of community
and togetherness that hostelling cultivates. These
observations validated the strategic importance of our
social features – features which truly connect travellers
to enrich travel experiences in a way no other app does.
The insights gained this summer have reinforced my
belief that these social features, with a strong roadmap
of innovative enhancements provide a solid foundation
that is the bedrock for future growth. Our social strategy
will evolve but remains core to our long-term success.
Consequently, the Board remains confident in the
strength of our business model and the enduring
appeal of the hostelling experience for our customers.
Enhancing Social Connectivity
and Engagement
Our social strategy, launched in 2022, has proven to be
a key differentiator for Hostelworld, driving customer
engagement and contributing to a lower cost of
customer acquisition and increased customer lifetime
value. During 2024 we remained focused on expanding
our active customer base and enhancing engagement
with our customers through our social network,
developing and launching product features which
improved their travel experiences.
We continued to enrich the social core of our platform
by expanding profile information to enable customers
to create more personalised experiences and introducing
a hangout status and enhanced chat functionality to
improve interaction quality and quantity. Building on
this momentum, we continue to augment and refine our
platform’s social features to offer more personalisation
and opportunities for genuine community and connection.
As we look to the future, we are fully committed to
growing the company. Our strategy is focused on
connecting travellers, driving sustainable growth, and
creating long-term value for our shareholders. Within
this framework, the Board is confident there are many
avenues for growth available to us; expanding our
social features, monetising our traffic and expanding
our inventory to meet our customer needs. We will
provide a detailed update on our strategy as part of
our Capital Markets Day being held on 29 April 2025.
This year saw even more customers engage
with our innovative social network, with a
record two million social members and 80%
of all 2024 bookings made by social members.
To truly understand the impact, I engaged
directly with our platform’s community,
witnessing first-hand how our social
strategy drives connection. As we move
forward, the Board is confident that our
unique social strategy will continue to
be a central driver of our growth.”
15
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our People
Since joining the Board, I have had the opportunity to
engage with the executive team on multiple occasions
throughout the year and I am extremely impressed
with the quality and dedication that I saw. Central to
Hostelworld’s continued success is the unwavering
dedication, hard work, and commitment of our people.
We are fortunate to attract and retain talented and
committed employees from a diversity of backgrounds
in all areas of the business.
In 2024, Hostelworld celebrated its 25th anniversary
and this milestone occasion was marked by bringing
the Company together in Dublin to celebrate 25 years
of connecting travellers and launch a new Culture
Code that supports the vibrant culture at Hostelworld.
The Culture Code, developed collaboratively across
the organisation, was created to define, and reflect the
shared beliefs and values of the Hostelworld team that
promotes equality and dignity at work and ensures
everyone feels they belong.
Cash Generation and Capital Allocation
Our principal objective is to deliver growth and long-term
sustainable value for our shareholders while maintaining
a strong balance sheet.
The cash generative nature of the business allowed for
the repayment, in June 2024, of the remaining bank
borrowings, in full and two-years ahead of schedule.
At the end of 2024, the business had returned to a
net cash position of €2.0m (2023: net debt €12.3m).
We continue to hold an interest-free warehoused debt
facility with the Irish Revenue Commissioners with whom
we have agreed a repayment plan. We made an initial
instalment in May 2024 of 15% of the outstanding facility
and will make monthly payments of the remaining
balance over a three-year period until April 2027.
We are now focused on ensuring our capital is efficiently
spent to grow the company. Having said that the Board
is aware of the importance of also returning capital to
shareholders and assessing capital allocation was again
a key issue considered by the Board during the second
half of 2024. Following detailed consideration of the
issue, which involved assessing the differing views of
shareholders whom I met following my appointment as
Chairman in October 2024, the Board decided that the
payment of dividends would not currently be in the best
interests of the business. Accordingly, the Company will
not be paying a dividend in respect to the 2024 financial
year. A thorough overview of capital allocation plans will
be provided at our Capital Markets Day on 29 April 2025.
Sustainability
While our strategy obviously includes running a
profitable growing business that our people enjoy
working for, within that we recognise and prioritise the
importance of minimising our environmental impact
and promoting responsible travel.
Accompanying targets previously set for scope 1 and
2 emissions that we control, in 2024 we went further,
by setting a target to reduce our scope 3 emissions
arising through our value chain. We were awarded
the ‘Taking Climate Action’ silver label by South Pole,
a leading climate solutions partner, for the fourth
consecutive year in recognition of our commitment to
reducing and controlling our emissions.
Our bespoke ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework,
which helps hostels assess and communicate their
sustainability credentials to customers in a transparent
way, has grown significantly in its first year with over
2,100 properties obtaining the GSTC accreditation.
These accredited hostels have seen an increase in
customer demand, with customers preferring to choose
the more sustainable accommodation option. We
also marketed and published a new series of hostel
sustainability content stories in 2024 to highlight some
of the incredible work being completed by our hostel
partners in this vital area. We made sustainability a
central theme at our annual ‘HOSCARs’ awards event
for hostel partners, celebrating the best-in-class
hostels who had made significant progress on their
sustainability journeys.
Details regarding the Groups sustainability strategy
and targets are outlined in the Sustainability Report
on pages 42 to 61.
16
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Chairman’s Statement
continued
Board Changes
Paul Duffy joined the Board as Non-Executive Director
and member of the Audit Committee, Nomination
Committee and member and Chair of the Remuneration
Committee on 02 May 2024. Paul is an experienced
Chief Executive Officer with extensive knowledge of
the consumer industry and brings significant strategic
and brand experience, having served previously as
Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America.
Paul is currently a Non-Executive Director and Audit
Committee Chair, Remuneration Committee member
and Development Committee member of Glanbia, plc.
Carl G. Shepherd (Senior Independent Director) stepped
down as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on
the same date and continues as a member of the
Remuneration Committee. I look forward to Paul making
a significant contribution to the Board in the years ahead.
Conclusion
While the Board is proud of our achievements,
we remain focused on the future, convinced of the
important role played by Hostelworld in the online travel
industry and the Group’s ability to grow and develop the
business for the benefit of all our stakeholders. The
business is well positioned with an innovative product
offering that resonates with our customers and a
business model underpinned by cost discipline and
operational excellence.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my
sincere thanks to Gary and the Executive Management
team for their leadership and the wider organisation
for their contribution to the ongoing success of the
Group. I also want to thank our customers, suppliers
and other stakeholders for their continued confidence
and partnership.
Ulrik Bengton
Ulrik Bengtsson
Chairman
19 March 2025
17
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Equity Point Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
18
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Auberge Saintlo Montréal, Montreal, Canada
19
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STRATEGIC REPORT
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Chief Executive Officer’s Review:
Gary Morrison
We achieved 6% net booking growth, primarily driven
by UK and European travellers opting for lower-cost
destinations in Asia. This was particularly evident in the
first half of the year, with a 43% year-on-year increase,
and 31% overall. However, weaker demand for higher-
cost European destinations partially offset this.
Consequently, the average net booking value decreased
by 8% year-on-year, impacting revenue growth. As the
year ended, booking values returned to growth, primarily
driven by increased bed prices in Asia.
Our app-based social strategy continued to drive growth
in bookings from Social Members (80% in FY 2024
compared to 67% in FY 2023). App bookings increased
by 16% year-on-year, contributing to a 7% rise in net
margin. Coupled with strict cost control, this resulted in
€21.8 million in adjusted EBITDA, a 19% year-on-year
increase. Overall, these results and our strong cash
conversion allowed us to repay our three-year debt
facility two years ahead of schedule and return to a net
cash position in Q3 2024.
Finally, we continue to advance our ESG agenda
by reducing our carbon emissions, for which we
received a “Taking Climate Action” silver label from
South Pole. We are also collaborating with our hostel
partners to highlight the inherent sustainability of
hostel accommodation.
Executing our Growth Strategy
Throughout 2024, we continued to implement our
highly distinctive social network growth strategy, in
line with our company mission to ‘help travellers find
people to hang out with’.
Our innovative social network uses customer booking
data to create chat rooms and private messaging
channels, accessible through our iOS and Android apps,
connecting customers with overlapping stay dates in
hostels and cities. These chat rooms are divided into
two types: hostel-based and city-based. Hostel-based
chat rooms connect customers staying in the same
hostel on the same dates, while city-based chat rooms
connect customers staying in any hostel within the same
city on the same dates. City-based chat rooms are
further organised by themes, such as drinks and dancing,
walking tours and food, allowing customers to easily
find other travellers with similar interests visiting the
same city at the same time. The chat rooms and private
messaging channels are available to customers who
opt into the social platform 14 days before check-in
and close three days after check-out.
Since launching our social network in Q2 2022, we
have seen continued growth in both membership and
engagement. In Q4 2024 we passed the two million
social member milestone, with 80% of all bookings in
2024 made by social members, up from 67% in 2023.
This membership growth has been matched by even
stronger growth in engagement, with message volume
significantly outpacing booking growth among social
members. These members are also highly valuable,
making approximately twice as many bookings and being
three times more likely to use the app within the first 91
In a year marked by lower-than-expected revenue growth, driven
by our customers’ preference for lower-cost destinations, our
social strategy continued to reduce marketing expenses driving
net margin growth of 7% year-over-year. Combined with disciplined
cost control, this resulted in a 19% increase in adjusted EBITDA to
€21.8 million. The increase in adjusted EBITDA, coupled with robust
cash conversion, enabled early debt repayment in June 2024 and
a return to a net cash position in the third quarter.
Overall, I remain confident that our unique social strategy within
the online travel industry will continue to provide a solid platform
for future growth. A detailed growth strategy and capital allocation
update will be provided on 29 April.”
20
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Chief Executive Officer’s Review
continued
days of joining compared to non-members. This social
strategy has not only driven growth in net bookings
since its launch but has also fuelled a 16% year-on-year
increase in app bookings compared to the global
average of 6% in 2024. This shift towards app usage
has reduced marketing expenses as a percentage of
generated revenue, from 50% in 2023 to 46% in 2024.
In Q3 2024, we streamlined the social member
onboarding process, making it easier for new members
to complete their profiles. We also expanded profile
options to include travel interests, lifestyle preferences
and personal pronouns. We also launched our first
recommendation engine, which orders profiles in a
homepage carousel based on users’ past engagement
on the platform. Since its launch, we have seen a twofold
increase in direct messages sent to users featured in
the carousel in Q4 2024 compared to the same period
in 2023, along with a similar rise in response rates. We
plan to use these interactions and profile data to refine
the recommendation engine’s performance in 2025.
Finally, we enhanced the chat rooms with search and
filtering tools for message content and streamlined
the reply function. These changes have significantly
improved response rates to open chat room messages
in 2024, with replies to initial messages increasing by
1.5 times from the second to the fourth quarter.
Overall, our social network continues to significantly
enhance the hostelling experience for our customers
by helping them find people to hang out with. Looking
back at 2024, we have seen a notable increase in our
customers sharing stories on social media about how
Hostelworld has helped them forge new friendships.
These stories range from people joining potlucks with
fellow travellers in Vietnam and finding companions for
pub crawls and gondola rides, to solo concert-goers
bonding over their shared love for Adele. Providing a
platform where people can meet new friends, even far
from home, and facilitating lasting connections is an
incredibly rewarding part of our work. We are proud
to continue enabling these experiences every day.
Expanding our Inventory Coverage
Alongside our ongoing work on our social platform,
we have continued to hire more staff in our regional
offices to strengthen local acquisition efforts. We also
streamlined the sign-up and onboarding processes for
new hostels, broadened the range of channel managers
we support, and improved the Linkups platform. These
improvements have led to a 16% increase in new hostels
entering our acquisition pipeline and a 31% reduction
in the time required to onboard them. Collectively,
these initiatives increased our market coverage from
74% in 2023 to 77% in 2024.
The Linkups platform is a unique product for the hostel
category, enabling hostels to promote their events and
activities to all Hostelworld customers on our social
platform who have matching stay dates in the same
location. Throughout 2024, we focused on simplifying
the platform’s content loading and management
functionality, adding features such as custom images,
enhanced location functionality, and automatic
extension of recurring events. Over 40,000 individual
events were uploaded during the year, resulting in
80% of Hostelworld customers being able to see at
least one Linkup during their trip. User participation
with the Linkups platform increased by 50% compared
to the previous year.
Investing in our Platform
Over the past year, we have continued to migrate
our core services to a flexible microservices-based
architecture with application-level on-demand scaling;
and integrated off-the-shelf services from our cloud
service provider into our platform. These services
include state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and
machine learning optimisation engines, which now
power some of our key services.
We expect this core services upgrade programme to be
completed in H1 2025, providing a strong foundation
for modernising other legacy areas of our platform
as we deliver new features aligned with our growth
strategy. Overall, this multi-year effort has delivered
significant benefits, including improved monitoring,
faster service speeds, reduced error rates and faster
development velocity.
21
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Leveraging our cloud-native architecture has allowed us
to make good progress towards our goal of transitioning
our infrastructure from periodic manual configurations
to infrastructure as code. This helps eliminate single
points of failure and dramatically improves the scalability
and resilience of our systems, while also reducing our
hosting costs.
Progressing our ESG Agenda
The importance of sustainability across the travel
industry has continued to grow in recent years. Within
the hostel sector, the majority of young travellers say
that a hostel’s sustainability credentials influence
their accommodation choices, and they actively select
hostels over other options because of their positive
sustainability practices.
Our hostel partners are also investing in more sustainable
operations and looking for simple sustainability
management systems that align with travel industry
standards, enabling them to showcase their efforts.
More broadly, across the travel sector and other
industries, there are increasing demands for companies
like Hostelworld to take further action to address
climate change risks and provide detailed disclosures
about their work.
During 2024, we continued our collaboration with
Bureau Veritas, updating the calculation of scope 1
and 2 emissions for a representative group of hostels
(a 24% year-on-year increase) and comparing these
with publicly available emissions data from major
hotel chains.
The second edition of this report, published in February
2024, confirmed that hostelling produces significantly
fewer (-82%) scope 1 and scope 2 emissions
(tCO
2
e)
per bed night compared to a one-night stay in a typical
hotel. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the
sustainability gap between hostels and hotels has
widened, with hostels reporting a year-on-year reduction
in average emissions, while hotel emissions increased.
Our work in 2024 also focused on increasing the use of
our bespoke ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ platform within
the hostelling category, which launched in Q1 2024.
As previously reported, we invested in developing
this platform throughout 2023 with three objectives:
aligning the platform’s data to GSTC standards to ensure
robust, traceable, and comparable sustainability
classifications; making the platform accessible to
smaller hostel owners, who often find existing systems
too costly or time-consuming; and enabling hostel
partners to showcase their sustainability credentials
to our customers and encourage further progress.
This framework includes a data collection process
within our existing hostel extranet portal, a system to
determine each hostel’s sustainability classification, and
a “badge” to display this classification on our website
and mobile apps. Since its launch, we have seen strong
uptake by our hostel partners, with over 2,100 hostels
completing the assessment and receiving a classification,
and another 500 in the pipeline. We’ve also started to
see increased engagement from customers with hostels
who have published their sustainability credentials on
our platform. We are proud to champion sustainability
in the hostel industry and excited to see the impact of
this framework.
For the past four years, we have focused on reducing
our own scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions, setting
reduction targets in line with the Corporate Net Zero
Standard framework published by the Science Based
Targets initiative, founded by the UN. In 2024, we
expanded this work to include scope 3 emissions,
with a target to reduce these by 90% by 2040. More
details of these programmes are contained within the
Sustainability Report. Finally, I am pleased to report
that South Pole awarded Hostelworld silver status in
2024 for “Taking Climate Action” in recognition of our
commitment to calculating our carbon footprint, reducing
our emissions, and contributing to climate action
projects to offset unavoidable emissions.
Investing in our Employees, Hostel Partners
and Communities
This year, we proudly celebrated a major milestone:
Hostelworld’s 25th anniversary. In September, we
marked the occasion by recognising the invaluable
contributions of all our employees, with special
recognition for those with longer tenures. This was
a great opportunity to reflect on the strength of a
culture that continues to drive our success. Across
the globe, our teams have built a workplace defined
by inclusivity, collaboration, and shared purpose. We
were thrilled to see this commitment acknowledged
externally with the Special Recognition Award at the
Irish Diversity in Tech Awards.
22
Strategic Report
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Chief Executive Officer’s Review
continued
A highlight of the year was the introduction of our
Culture Code, which captures the essence of what
makes us “us”. This framework outlines our shared
mission, values, and behaviours, focusing on growth,
collaboration, adaptability, and inclusivity. It helps
ensure we continue to nurture our vibrant culture as
our people managers recruit outstanding talent, and it
enhances the onboarding experience for new team
members, particularly in our hybrid working model.
We’re proud to share more with you elsewhere in this
annual report.
In addition, we have expanded our B2B marketing
programmes with Hostelworld-hosted conferences in
Chiang Mai in April, Copenhagen in September, and
Mexico City in November. These flagship events provide
us with opportunities to promote our strategy, share
industry trends, and gather feedback, and also to
engage with local governments on the importance of
the hostelling sector to local tourism growth. Alongside
these conferences, we have presented at and hosted
numerous events around the world over the past year,
and delivered multiple webinars in all major languages
and regions. Furthermore, we continue to expand our
global markets team to meet our valued hostel partners
in person and provide detailed guidance on how to
use the breadth of our platform to maximise their
business growth.
Finally, we are pleased to see continued company-
wide engagement in our efforts to build a better
world. Employees continue to actively participate
in volunteering, making a difference in their local
communities through both team and individual activities.
This year, we expanded our focus to better support
neurodiverse candidates and employees by partnering
with expert organisations. These partnerships provide
tailored resources and programmes to empower
individuals and celebrate diverse talents, fostering a
better understanding of diverse needs. Combined with
our ongoing charity partnerships and financial support
initiatives, these efforts demonstrate our employees’
passion for making a meaningful difference.
Summary
In summary, 2024 presented challenges with lower-
than-expected revenue growth due to a shift towards
lower-cost destinations. However, our unique social
strategy proved resilient, driving an increase in Social
Member bookings and app usage, ultimately resulting in
net margin growth of 7% year-over-year and adjusted
EBITDA growth of 19% year-over-year. We successfully
navigated these challenges, achieving net booking
growth, early debt repayment, and a return to a net
cash position. We also continued to advance our ESG
agenda, receiving recognition for our commitment to
reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainable
travel options.
Looking ahead, we are confident that our distinctive
social strategy will continue to be a key differentiator
in the online travel market. We will continue to invest
in our technology and expand our social features to
enhance the customer experience and drive future
growth. Finally, I would like to thank our employees for
their dedication and commitment throughout the year,
and our shareholders for their ongoing support as we
execute our growth strategy.
GaryMoison
Gary Morrison
Chief Executive Officer
19 March 2025
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OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This year, we enhanced our platform’s social features to encourage deeper connections
and spontaneous interactions among our travellers. A core pillar of our value proposition
is facilitating meaningful social travel experiences.
Social Features
Our social features are essential to our long-term success in attracting and retaining
a loyal user base, they help deliver a unique and valuable social travel experience.
To this end, we delivered several key initiatives:
Public
profile
See who’s
going
Linkups
Chat
We introduced a new ‘Hangout Status’
feature that allows users to explicitly
signal their openness to meet fellow
travellers, simplifying the process of
finding like-minded travel companions.
Hangout
Arlo
They/Them
23 years old, Australia
About me
Exploring one destination at a time,
fuelled by curiosity and a love for
diverse cultures. Whether it’s hiking
scenic trails, surfing ocean waves,
or taking in local cuisines, every...
Hangout
Robyn’s Stats
24
Strategic Report
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Based on customer feedback and data analysis, we expanded profile
information to offer enriched user profiles that now include pronouns,
interests and other key attributes. We actively encouraged users to
complete their profiles to improve discoverability.
Profile
The enhancements delivered this year lay the groundwork for future developments,
including AI-powered recommendations that will connect users with highly compatible
travel companions, further simplifying the process of finding your ideal travel crew.
Robyn
26 years old, Germany
About me:
I’m travelling solo through
Latin America for 6 months!
Languages:
German, English, French
Pronouns:
She/Her
Surf day
Marie
25
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We enhanced the ‘Linkups’ platform,
which promotes hostel-organised
events and activities.
Enhancements were made to
simplify event creation, adding
more functionalities for event
media and information, making
it easier for hostels to create
appealing events. In tandem,
we improved merchandising
and discoverability for travellers,
leading to a noticeable increase
in event participation.
Linkups
We redesigned our Chat rooms
to enhance navigation and added
features such as chat creation,
encouraging smaller groups to
connect and spend more time
in-app. Our advanced search and
filtering capabilities make it easier
to form these smaller groups
based on shared interests and
travel plans.
Chat
26
Strategic Report
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Financial Highlights
Net Bookings
6.9m
2023: 6.5m
Generated Revenue
(1)
€91.5m
2023: €93.7m
Net Revenue
€92.0m
2023: €93.3m
Net Average Booking
Value (“ABV”)
(1)
€13.21
2023: €14.36
Direct Marketing as a
% of Generated Revenue
(1)
46%
2023: 50%
Administration
Expenses
€71.8m
2023: €76.6m
Profit for the Year
€9.1m
2023: €5.1m
Basic EPS
7.28 cent
2023: 4.21 cent
Adjusted EBITDA
(1)
€21.8m
2023: €18.4m
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
(1)
24%
2023: 20%
Adjusted Profit after Tax
(1)
€17.4m
2023: €12.0m
Adjusted EPS
(1)
13.97 cent
2023: 9.91 cent
Cash
€8.2m
2023: €7.5m
Net Cash/(Debt)
(1)
€2.0m
2023: €(12.3)m
Cash Conversion
(1)
66%
2023: 75%
(1)
The Group uses Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) which are non-IFRS measures to monitor the performance of its operations and of the Group as a
whole. These APMs along with their definitions and rationale are provided in Appendix 1 Glossary of APMs set out on pages 212 to 217, which form part of
the Annual Report..
27
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Chief Financial Officer’s Review:
Caroline Sherry
Revenue
Net bookings of 6.9m, grew year-on-year by 6% (2023:
6.5m) with this growth driven primarily by growth in
bookings from UK and European travellers to lower cost
destinations. Both Asia and Central America recorded
record booking volumes. This change in customer
trends was the primary driver of an 8% decrease in net
ABVs, with net ABV reducing to €13.21 (2023: €14.36).
Generated revenue, which comprises of gross revenue
less cancellations, declined 2% year-on-year to €91.5m,
(2023: €93.7m) because of lower ABV. Net revenue,
after considering adjustments for deferred revenue,
ancillary revenue streams (featured listings), vouchers,
refunds and other accounting adjustments, declined
1% year-on-year to €92.0m (2023: €93.3m). Within
these adjustments, the most notable is featured listings
advertising revenue, revenue generated from hostels
advertising on our platform, which grew to €2.0m
(2023: €1.2m).
Costs and Profitability
Administrative expenses totalled €71.8m (2023: €76.6m),
a decrease of €4.8m year-on-year.
The Group’s direct marketing costs decreased by €4.1m
to €42.5m (2023: €46.6m). Marketing % of generated
revenue amounted to 46%, a 4% reduction compared
to prior year (2023: 50%). This reduction in marketing
spend was aided by Hostelworld’s app-centric social
strategy with App bookings growing 16% year-on-year
and the proportion of bookings made by Social Members
increasing to 80% (2023: 67%). This has further
contributed to a 7% increase in net margin to €46.6m
(2023: €43.7m).
Wage and salaries reduced €0.7m, year-on-year, to
€19.0m (2023: €19.7m), with the combined impact
of wage inflation and modest headcount increase
(2024: 227, 2023: 223), offset by lower
discretionary compensation.
With a continued focus on cost management, other
operating costs’ key components remained largely in
line year-on-year, most notably credit card fees of €2.9m
(2023: €3.0m) and platform operating costs of €3.2m
(2023: €3.2m), despite the increase in booking volumes.
The Group incurred a foreign exchange loss of €0.1m
(2023: €0.2m). Current year loss arose with the
strengthening of the US dollar against the Euro in the
second half of the year.
Profitability metrics increased year-on-year with an
adjusted EBITDA of €21.8m (2023: €18.4m) in line with
our market guidance and represented growth of €3.4m,
+19% compared to prior year. Operating profit amounted
to €11.3m, +126% compared to PY, 2023: €5.0m.
Exceptional Items
Exceptional items warrant separate disclosure due to
their nature or materiality.
The Group incurred no exceptional items in 2024. Prior
period exceptional items relate to costs incurred on
refinancing of a legacy COVID-19 debt facility with
HPS totalling €3.6m, broken down as €0.7m of early
repayment penalty interest, €0.1m of transaction costs
relating to exiting the old facility and €2.8m accelerated
interest costs which relate to transaction costs capitalised
on drawdown of HPS facility in February 2021, which
were expected to be amortised over a five-year period
to 2026, but unwound in full on refinancing.
Hostelworld’s strategic focus on social features continues to
distinguish us within the online travel sector. We achieved record
booking volumes in key growth markets, while simultaneously
demonstrating rigorous cost management and reducing
marketing expenditure, culminating in a 19% increase in
adjusted EBITDA year-on-year. The accelerated repayment
of the Group’s debt with AIB, completed two years ahead
of schedule and our return to a strong net cash position
during 2024, provides a solid financial foundation,
empowering us to pursue our next phase of strategic
growth and deliver sustained value to our shareholders.”
28
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
continued
Impairment of Associate
In 2019 the Group made an investment in an associate
called Goki Pty Limited (“Goki”), a start-up focused
on the sale and supply of locks to hostels and other
accommodation providers. Goki’s sales pipeline was
heavily impacted by COVID-19 and it operates in a market
that has experienced a sharp increase in competitors
in recent times. The Group recognised an impairment
of €1.2m as at 31 December 2024, reducing carrying
value of its investment in Goki to nil, based on a
deteriorating performance and 2025 projections.
Other Income
An amount of €1.3m has been recognised in other
income relating to a revision in the probability of payment
and subsequent unwind of a balance sheet provision for
amounts owed to customers from bookings cancelled
due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. The Group
determined that the possibility of an outflow of economic
benefit is remote despite attempts to settle payment.
Share-Based Payment
The Group incurred a total share-based payment
expense of €1.8m (2023: €1.7m) arising on the
issuance of options in accordance with the Group’s
Restricted Share Awards (“RSU”) and Long-Term
Incentive Plans (“LTIP”).
On 22 April 2024, 5,245 shares were issued regarding
the 2020 SAYE scheme at €0.01 cent per share, and on
29 April 2024, 1,345,870 shares were issued to satisfy
long term incentive plan awards in relation to LTIP
2021. 100% of the related performance obligations
were satisfied.
On 03 May 2024 a new LTIP plan of 1,909,075 awards
was struck for executives and key members of the
Hostelworld team. All LTIP and RSU awards are nil
cost options.
Net Finance Costs
The Group incurred €0.3m of finance costs (2023:
€2.5m), driven by interest costs arising on the Group’s
AIB facility totalling €0.4m, offset by a credit recognised
of €0.2m relating to the release of interest on debt
warehoused no longer required. Prior period expense
relates to AIB and HPS finance interest costs with
decrease in costs year-on-year driven by the refinancing
completed in May 2023 and repayment of AIB facility
in June 2024.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share for the Group amounted
to 7.28 € cent (2023: 4.21 € cent), and adjusted
earnings per share amounted to 13.97 € cent per
share (2023 9.91 € cent per share) with the return
to profitability, of both metrics, reflective of the
business’s strong performance.
Current and Deferred Taxation
The Group corporation tax charge for 2024 is €0.3m
(2023: €0.2m) and relates to our international operations
where tax losses from our Irish operations cannot
be utilised.
The Group deferred tax charge amounted to €1.7m
(2023: credit of €6.4m). In 2023 the Group recognised
an additional deferred tax asset of €6.4m arising from
prior year trading losses and interest relief which had
no expiry date and can be carried forward indefinitely.
The asset recognised in the prior year is being unwound
to the Income Statement to align to how the tax losses
and interest relief is being utilised. Deferred tax assets
are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future
taxable profits will be available against which any unused
tax losses and unused tax credits can be utilised. The
Group has no unrecognised deferred tax assets.
Net Cash and Financing
At the balance sheet date, the Group had repaid in full
its AIB debt facility, two years ahead of schedule, and
had a closing net cash position of €2.0m (2023: net
debt €12.3m).
The repaid facility comprised of a €10m term loan repaid
in full in June 2024 (€1.7m in 2023, €8.3m in 2024),
a €7.5m revolving credit facility repaid in full in Q1 (€5.5m
in 2023, €2.0m in 2024) and an undrawn €2.5m
overdraft. At the date of repayment all security and
covenant requirements held by AIB were released. The
Group continues to hold an undrawn €2.5m overdraft
facility with AIB.
The AIB facility replaced a €30m debt facility drawn
down in February 2021 with HPS Investment Partners,
following a refinancing in May 2023.
Cash conversion reduced to 66%, (2023: 75%), driven by
an increase in working capital. 2024 closing cash balance
of €8.2m (2023: €7.5m) with €6.2m warehoused debt
outstanding (2023: €9.6m).
29
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Debt Warehoused
During COVID-19, the Group availed of the Irish
Revenue Commissioners tax warehousing scheme and
warehoused €9.4m by deferring payment of all Irish
employer taxes from February 2020 to March 2022.
The Group agreed a repayment plan with the Irish
Revenue Commissioners of a 15% downpayment in
May 2024, followed by regular monthly repayments
thereafter over a three-year period. Monthly payments
will continue over a three-year period to April 2027.
Total amount warehoused at 31 December 2024 was
€6.2m (2023: €9.6m).
In February 2024 the Irish Revenue Commissioners
announced that 0% interest would apply to debt
warehoused, with the reduction in rate applying to any
interest amounts accrued to date. As a result, the Group
wrote-off €0.2m of an interest charge. The Group
continues to monitor and comply with the appropriate
Revenue guidelines applicable to this scheme.
Deferred Revenue
The deferred revenue provision at year end totalled
€3.5m (2024: €3.9m), of which €3.2m (2023: €3.4m)
related to a provision for bookings made under the
free cancellation policy, where a customer can cancel
and receive a refund. The balance is comprised of
deferred revenue for our featured listing and
Roamies
products. This provision balance will unwind in 2025.
Development Labour
As a technology company Hostelworld places a focus
on fostering innovation and investing in its technology.
In 2024 development labour intangible asset additions
totalled €5.5m, (2023: €4.0m), with an increase
year-on-year driven by the nature of work completed,
wage inflation and increased external contractors
engaged to assist on delivery of product features.
Work completed in 2024 related to delivering additional
features on our social platform including ‘hang outs’,
an evolution of Linkups, enriched profiles and chat
functionality, modernising our platforms, and revamping
our hostel activations process.
Development labour includes internal development
labour of €3.7m (2023: €2.9m) relating to staff costs
capitalised during the year, and external development
labour of €1.8m (2023: €1.1m) relating to external
contractors who have specialist skills.
Impact of New Accounting Standards
New accounting standards and amendments to existing
standards implemented in 2024 did not have a material
impact on the Group.
Related Parties
Related party transactions are disclosed in note 25 to
the Group Financial Statements.
Investor Relations
The Group has a proactive approach to investor relations.
The release of our annual and interim results, along with
quarterly trading updates, provide regular information
regarding our performance and are accompanied by
presentations, webcasts and conference calls. In May
2024, an AGM was held providing engagement channels
for our shareholders to send advance questions to the
Board, with all details relating to the AGM published on
the Company’s website.
We held a number of investor roadshows and attended
industry conferences. These engagements provided us
an opportunity for the management team to meet existing
and/or potential investors and analysts in a concentrated
set of meetings. This direct feedback and input on the
investor community’s perspective of the Company is
reflected upon to ensure that our investor relations
communications remain meaningful and effective.
On 29 April 2025 we look forward to updating the
market on the Group’s growth strategy with a Capital
Markets Day.
Dividend
The Board does not expect to pay a cash dividend,
under its current policy, in respect of the 2024 financial
year. Any payment of cash dividends will be subject to
the Group’s cash position, Group strategy, and subject
to compliance with Companies Act 2006 requirements
regarding ensuring sufficiency of distributable reserves
at the time of paying the dividend. A detailed growth
strategy and capital allocation update will be provided
on 29 April 2025 as part of our Capital Markets Day.
Caroline Shey
Caroline Sherry
Chief Financial Officer
19 March 2025
30
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
What makes us ‘us’
We have a shared love of travel
Hostelworld was founded on a deep understanding of the opportunities that travel
offers, and a passion to modernise the hostel category. That dedication is still with
us to this day. 25 years in, we feel we’re at the early days of what’s possible in
connecting travellers and inspiring adventurous minds through travel.
Central to this, at the heart of Hostelworld, are our people. Those who succeed here
contribute to building and supporting an open, friendly, and fun culture.
We combine a startup spirit with experience
We’ve learned through experience how to combine the best aspects of a startup
culture, scrappiness and agility, with the discipline of maturity.
We are scrappy
We thrive on a blend of startup energy and seasoned wisdom. Our agility allows us
to embrace change, even when it feels a bit chaotic, and to respond quickly to the
evolving needs of our travellers. We’re always listening and ready to pivot.
Our Hostelworld
Culture Code
Our mission is to help travellers find people to hang
out with
We understand the power of travel; the joy to be found in broadening our horizons
through experiencing new places and meeting new people. We understand that
for many travellers the journey and the people met along the way are often more
important than the destination.
It’s the same for our team. We deliver innovation while also enjoying how we deliver
interesting things – our journey together matters!
When at work, we want our people to gain as much experience as possible, to
learn and grow, to feel like they are part of something, and to make meaningful
connections with others they meet along their way.
In 2024, we defined
what makes us who we
are with the launch of
our culture code.
31
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We love data
Data guides everything we do. While intuition might spark an idea, it’s our
dedication to data that drives our decisions and ensures our success. We believe
in grounding every discussion and action in facts.
We are resourceful
Resourcefulness is in our DNA. We are proud to be a relatively small company with
big ambitions. We believe having smaller teams helps us to focus on what matters
most, to build camaraderie, enable action and to keep us connected to our mission.
We are intentional about where we invest
We invest strategically. Frugality isn’t just a policy; it’s a core value that allows us to focus
our resources on what matters. We empower highly skilled, agile teams to deliver
high-impact projects.
We keep it simple
We like the simplicity that our size makes possible; we value knowing everyone’s name;
we don’t want to feel like a small cog in a big machine.
We do the right thing
Above all else we approach everything with decency.
We do the right thing by our people, customers, partners and planet
We care – we care about our people, our customers, our partners, and our planet. This
shows through our approach to our people strategy, our sustainability commitments, and
the way we work with our hostel partners and for our customers.
We set the bar high and trust through transparency
We share A LOT. The level of transparency here might feel rare to some. We gain trust
by being open about our plans and our progress. We celebrate when things are on track,
and we don’t hide from the numbers when we need to course-correct.
Being agile doesn’t mean we compromise on quality. Doing the right thing means being
dogged in our pursuit of excellence. We set the bar high and are very delivery focused;
which means we expect a lot from each other so we can deliver on our commitments.
Lastly…the journey is never boring!
Our work is fast-paced and wide-ranging, offering both challenges and
rewards. We thrive on adapting to change, and we recognise that the constant
learning opportunities in this anything-but-routine environment are key to our
engagement at work and our personal and professional growth.
Whatever happens, I am always learning
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Our People and Culture
In 2024 we celebrated 25 years in business, a
milestone made possible by the incredible passion
and dedication of our team. Every time we come
together, I’m reminded of the energy, creativity,
and shared commitment that drive us forward.
Our team’s enthusiasm for our mission
to help
travellers find people to hang out with
continues
to inspire everything we do. As we look ahead,
we’re excited to keep growing, learning, and
creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.”
Total Group Employees in 2024
227
Ireland
Portugal
Others
139
48
40
Gender Representation
No. of Nationalities
Average Length of Service
45%
Female
28
5
years
Average Age
Volunteering Hours
55%
Male
38
346
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
As the Group celebrated 25 years in business, we took
the opportunity to reflect on how our culture has shaped
our success, how we support our people, and how
we can make an even bigger impact going forward.
Capturing the essence of what makes us ‘us’ through
our culture code was a key focus in 2024, the output
of which will help us stay true to what makes us
special as a Group while scaling our impact.
As a Group, we are proud to keep attracting great people.
We have made hybrid working a way to welcome those
from different backgrounds and empower them to
bring their full selves to work. This commitment was
recognised in September when we were honoured
with the Diversity in Tech DE&I Special Initiative
Recognition Award, celebrating our efforts in building
an inclusive and equitable workplace.
Culture and Engagement –
Launching our Culture Code
Across 2024, we embarked on the journey to develop
a Culture Code that truly reflects who we are as a
company. This wasn’t about producing ‘just another
corporate document.’ We wanted to create a genuine,
living reflection of our shared beliefs and values and
the unique culture we’ve built together. We didn’t want
to build a Code to sit on a shelf. We wanted it to speak
directly to the people who make up our company,
capturing the essence of who we are and who we
strive to be.
To create the Culture Code, we undertook a series of
specific actions to ensure it genuinely reflected the
collective input of the entire company, fostering a sense
of ownership and alignment among all team members.
1.
Culture Survey:
We conducted a company-wide
survey to gather insights from team members
about their perceptions of our shared values, work
environment, and overall culture. This initiative
established a broad understanding of how we
experience the company culture and what is
important to us, providing a solid foundation for
the Culture Code.
2.
Focus Groups:
Team Members from various
departments participated in focus groups that
facilitated open discussions and explored
cultural strengths, challenges, and areas for
improvement, enriching our understanding of the
organisational culture.
3.
Meetings with current and former employees:
We also met with individuals with varying service
across the company, including some from the earliest
days. Their insights were invaluable in capturing
the essence of our culture and understanding its
evolution over time.
4.
Stakeholder Input:
Our Executive Leadership
Team invested time to listen to emerging themes
and provide input. This helped align the Culture
Code with the company’s strategic objectives while
incorporating team member perspectives. Their
insights ensured the Culture Code resonated and
supported the company’s vision.
5.
Launch and embedding:
The Culture Code was
launched at our Employee Conference in September
and presented to the Company taking advantage of
having everyone together. Further feedback was
requested from all employees after the conference.
We are very proud of the ultimate output summarised on
pages 30 and 31 which captures the values, principles,
and practices that define our culture and put them into
a clear, accessible document to share with everyone.
Our Culture Code is a guide that current and future
team members can turn to for insight and inspiration.
Our Behaviours
Our employee mission is to create a workplace that
enables employees to have a positive impact on our
business and to grow personally and professionally.
Our behaviours empower each team member to thrive
in their roles, contributing to our ongoing success as
a business. These behaviours are embedded in our
recruitment, performance development, and recognition
processes. To support everyone in performing at their
best, we all continue to engage in peer assessments,
evaluating each of our five core behaviours during
performance development discussions.
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Villa Viva Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our People and Culture
continued
Grow Others
Master It
Collaborate
Adapt
Deliver
We fundamentally believe
that investing in growing
others benefits everyone,
whether it’s helping them
develop hard or soft
skills. We want learning
and growing to be part of
our DNA to help make us
a better team, together.
We are obsessed with
our area of expertise and
enjoy developing our
skills. We rarely take
things at face value; we
investigate, interrogate
and always look for ‘the
why,’ and wherever
possible, we use data to
find the best solution.
We are in it together; for
the tough stuff and the
celebrations too. To
achieve the best results,
we need expertise from
all areas of the
organisation, and we
wholeheartedly welcome
diverse thinking.
We work fluidly, adapting
to new information and
the evolving environment
while staying committed
to our goals. Innovation
and experimentation fuel
our projects and we’re
never afraid to pivot.
Our focus is always on
the end result; we value
outcomes over activity.
We collaborate to deliver
work at speed without
dropping any of our
other behaviours.
Grow Others
To Grow Others was a new behaviour introduced in
2023, and in 2024 we placed a special focus on
fuelling continuous growth by empowering people to
learn and evolve every day.
To empower managers, we developed a Leadership
Development Programme with social learning at its core,
equipping managers with essential skills and tools
tailored to their needs and challenges. To kick off the
programme, our senior people managers were able to
come together in Dublin for a two day in-person training
session, further giving them the opportunity to get to
know and learn from their peers.
Manager feedback also shaped our Manager Standards
Guide, a product launched in 2024 which gives managers
the tools to effectively lead and build a high-performance
culture by laying out the expectations of all people
managers regardless of experience or level and
expected practices, tailored to the reality of what
working at Hostelworld is like.
We also established our Leadership Experience Team,
comprising of 16 senior leaders who together, lead
87% of our workforce. The team plays a crucial role in
connecting with the Executive Leadership Team,
providing them with valuable insights and feedback to
help shape the Groups strategic direction. Their work
ensures that diverse perspectives are considered in
the development of future strategic roadmaps.
In 2024 our internal mentoring programme had 64
participants. This programme pairs team members
across different levels and departments, fostering
knowledge sharing, skill development, and personal
growth. Through one-on-one mentoring relationships,
participants gained valuable insights, guidance, and
support from experienced colleagues, helping them
navigate their career paths, overcome challenges,
and enhance their professional development. We also
continued our partnership with the 30% Club to provide
external mentorship opportunities for key leaders and
high-potential individuals through the IMI programme.
We recognise that personal development isn’t a
one-size-fits-all endeavour. To cater to diverse learning
styles and needs, we provide a range of formal
development opportunities. These include in-house
training sessions, workshops led by external partners,
webinars offered in collaboration with external partners,
and access to a variety of eLearning modules. To help
navigate these options and make informed choices about
development journeys, we launched a comprehensive
guide aligned with the 70/20/10 model of learning. This
guide supports our team members with identifying and
selecting the right learning opportunities that best suit
their individual needs and goals, encouraging them to
grow through everyday experiences, collaborate with
colleagues, and participate in structured development
initiatives, empowering them to take ownership of their
learning journey.
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Our People and Culture
continued
Our Values
We embrace five core values that inspire how we
collaborate and connect, forming the heart of who we
are as a team and a business. These values have been
our steady compass, guiding us through every success
and challenge, and have been instrumental in bringing
us to this incredible milestone, our 25th anniversary
in business.
Think Customer:
We put the customer first and we are
on their side in everything we do. We always aim to
delight and surprise, aim to anticipate and fulfil their
needs, and deepen our engagement at every opportunity.
Building a Better World:
We use our collective energy
every day to promote understanding in our world by
enabling individual journeys of discovery, adventure
and meaning. We have made sustainability a central
pillar in our strategy. We value and promote equality,
respect and diversity to help inspire a better world.
Community Spirit:
We are the social network and the
social app. We bring people together from all over the
globe, inspiring energy, passion and curiosity. Our
unique community spirit empowers us to help build
collaboration, openness and honesty.
Be Bold, be Brave, be Adventurous:
We allow
our passion to drive our ambition. We encourage our
people and our group strategic thinking to be fearless.
We embrace change as a path to success.
Keeping it Simple:
We use simplicity and smart thinking
to be agile and improve everything we do.
Engagement
We’re committed to creating a vibrant, supportive
environment that promotes a strong sense of community
and where everyone feels included. Here in Hostelworld,
everyone is encouraged to contribute, innovate and
grow together. Knowing that engaged team members
are key to a healthy culture, we continue to gather
feedback from our team to ensure we’re moving
forward together.
In 2024, we implemented our Employee Listening
Strategy that involved surveying and interviewing
team members throughout their Hostelworld journey
during onboarding, at probation completion, and
during offboarding.
Our Annual Have Your Say Employee Engagement
Survey was conducted in August 2024, and we’re
proud to say our participation rate was 90% and our
overall engagement continues to increase. Gathering
input from our team provides valuable insights into our
strengths and areas for improvement, directly informing
our plans for 2025 to make Hostelworld a workplace
we’re all proud to be part of. Survey insights were shared
company-wide, with in-depth discussions at the team
and departmental levels. Our focus is on maintaining
employee engagement, providing recognition, and
building a supportive culture where everyone has the
resources to thrive and be at their best.
Evan Cohen, our dedicated workplace Non-Executive
Director hosted two Employee Engagement Forums to
enhance the Board’s understanding of team member’s
perspectives, ensuring that employee views are
considered in the Board’s decision-making processes.
This initiative was even more important in 2024, given
the appointment of our new Chairman and a new
Non-Executive Director, as it provided additional
context around what matters most to team members
and how they are currently feeling.
We continue to hold bi-weekly virtual townhalls to keep
everyone updated on business performance, where
teams and individuals can highlight key priorities and
celebrate successes. These sessions are lead by Gary
and ELT members, and offer our team members the
chance to share their feedback and ask questions through
an open forum, promoting a culture of transparency
and engagement.
Agile and Hybrid Working
We continued to work in an agile hybrid way in 2024.
Recognising the importance of innovating on how we
keep our teams connected and giving them the best
work environments, we experimented with different
ways of working, such as starting one-hour meetings
at 10 minutes past the hour to allow a physical break
and encouraging “No-Meeting Wednesdays” where
possible to give people a chance to focus on work
without any distractions from meetings. We continue
to encourage people to take a flexible approach to
how, where and when they work that best suit their
needs and life circumstances.
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Supporting
Our People
We have provided an overview of some of some of key our policies to support the needs of our people.
Wellbeing Leave Policy
encourages employees to
take up to three days leave to focus on their mental and
physical health, in addition to our Annual Leave policies.
Volunteering Leave Policy
allows employees 5 days
volunteering leave per year to engage with and contribute
to their communities to share their time and talents with
recognised charities.
Agile Working Policy
supports flexible work
arrangements and enables employees to work in ways
that suit their roles and personal circumstances while
maintaining productivity.
Individual policies for Fertility, Parental, Maternity,
Paternity/Adoptive and Surrogacy Leave
offer
competitive leave to those growing their families.
Menopause at Work Policy
offers support and
accommodations for employees directly or indirectly
experiencing menopause, aiming to foster an
understanding and inclusive workplace.
Domestic Violence Leave Policy
offers up to 10 days
leave to employees affected by domestic violence or
supporting a dependent, for their safety and well-being.
Compassionate Leave Policy
allows employees to take
leave during difficult personal times, such as the loss
of a loved one, as well as up to 15 days leave for those
affected by pregnancy loss.
Working from Abroad Policy
allows employees to work
from other locations for up to 30 working days per year,
giving them an opportunity to combine travel and work,
under certain conditions.
Career Break Policy
allows employees to take up to one
year extended unpaid leave for personal development,
travel, or other significant pursuits, with a path to return
to their role.
In addition to the above we also have policies to support
learning, working from home, wellbeing, wedding leave,
equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity, dignity and
respect. We also ensure supports when things aren’t going
well, such as sick leave, grievances and disciplinary issues.
Inclusion, Engagement and Diversity (“IE&D”)
In 2024 we reframed our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
(‘DE&I’) initiatives as “Inclusion, Engagement and
Diversity”, putting inclusion at the heart of all we do to
engage and retain the best people. This helps nurture
a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging,
respect, and recognition for their unique contributions.
We continued to deliver our commitment to IE&D across
four key pillars:
1. Internal Change:
ensuring that we are representative
of the diverse society we live in and that our culture is
inclusive and provides equal opportunities for all.
Each year, we continue to review and introduce policies
that provide support through various life circumstances.
This saw the introduction of our Global Domestic
Violence Leave Policy in 2024, the purpose of which is
to provide a period of paid time away from work for team
members who have experienced, are experiencing or
are at risk of experiencing domestic violence or abuse.
This leave can also be availed of by a team member to
support someone who is experiencing or has experienced
domestic violence in the past. 10 days paid leave can
be availed of in any 12- month consecutive period and
no minimum length of service is required to avail of
the leave.
2. Education:
creating a culture of learning about
differences and understanding the issues that many
groups face in society and the workplace.
In 2024 we focused our quarterly fireside chats to
highlight neurodiversity. Throughout the year we invited
various neurodiversity focused charities to join us to
deepen our understanding and awareness. We were
joined by the following charities who provided
educational sessions - Dyslexia Ireland, The National
Autistic Society, ADHD Ireland and Dyspraxia/DCD
Ireland. Each session focused on addressing workplace
accommodations and promoting a culture of acceptance,
aiming to raise awareness, break down stigmas, equip
our teams to better support neurodivergent colleagues
and reinforce our dedication to valuing and understanding
everyone. In addition, all of our team continued to
complete mandatory annual IE&D training.
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Our People and Culture
continued
3. Celebrating Differences:
we’re guided by our belief
that differences should be celebrated, and that diversity
is a strength. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and
reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace
where everyone can live authentically and without fear
of discrimination.
We celebrated International Women’s Day with two
impactful educational events – the first explored ways
we can all support all women to thrive, while the second
focused on “befriending your inner critic,” encouraging
self-compassion and resilience.
To celebrate Pride Month, we hosted two events in
partnership with BeLonG To. We held a fireside chat
focusing on LGBTQ+ terminology as markers of respect
and support, gender identity and expression, sexual
orientation, and biological sex. This was an open
conversation where participants got involved with
discussions centring on respecting identities and
pronouns, and how to support someone coming out.
We were also joined by Drag King Phil T. Gorgeous,
host of Dublin Pride, for a Pride Bingo social event,
which people joined in-person or virtually, bringing
everyone together to enjoy an afternoon of laughs
and a healthy dose of friendly competition.
We remain an official supporter of the UN Standards of
Conduct for Business Tackling Discrimination against
LGBTQIA+ People.
We were joined by Movember to mark International
Men’s Day, highlighting the importance of eradicating
the stigma and taking action when it comes to men’s
mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer,
and testicular cancer.
4. External Change:
where possible, ensuring all
Hostelworld’s externally focused activities reflect the
diverse society we live and operate in.
Continuing our focus on a Science, Technology,
Engineering and Maths (“STEM”) initiative, we once
again partnered with Teen-Turn with several initiatives.
Teen-Turn is a charity based in Ireland that helps
teenage girls from underserved backgrounds gain
experience working in STEM with the aim of leading
more women into tech-focused qualifications and
careers. We hosted five students for two-week
Teen-Turnships (like internships) in summer 2024,
offering them a chance to explore the wide range of
career paths available in STEM before making crucial
decisions about their future studies. Their time at
Hostelworld provided valuable insights that help to
shape their career aspirations and potentially set them
on a path toward exciting opportunities in the field.
Building further on this we also participated in the
Teen-Turn “Learn to Earn” programme, hosting two
female students as part of this scholarship pilot. The
8-week placements saw the students gain hands-on
experience aligned with their third-level courses,
working across our Global Markets, Finance, and
Technology teams. This opportunity not only provided
them with a solid foundation for their careers but also
offered valuable insights to help shape their future
academic and professional decisions. We also hosted
a Career Development Workshop for their Alumnae
network, composed of third-level students. The students
participated in an in-person session where they learned
about the recruitment process, how to highlight their
skills and experience, build a standout CV, and prepare
for interviews. They then practiced all they had learned
by joining our team members for mock interviews,
gaining practical experience and personalised feedback.
As part of our Volunteering Leave policy, we continue
to offer team members up to 5 paid days per year to
volunteer with recognised charities, causes, or
non-profit organisations. This enables team members
to engage with and contribute to their communities to
share their time and talents with recognised charities
and make a positive impact wherever they are. This
year people used their volunteering days for impactful
initiatives such as volunteering at the School for Life
Home Stay Chiang Mai, and volunteering at ARC’s
Cancer Support Centre in Dublin.
In early 2024, the winner of our 2023 World Tourism
Day competition travelled to The Arklow Boys Home,
an orphanage in Sri Lanka, to install solar panels,
delivering a vital renewable energy source. We kicked
off our 2024 World Tourism Day initiative at our
25th Anniversary Employee Conference, inviting team
members to propose how they could make a positive
impact through travel and volunteering. Submissions
were reviewed by our ESG Steering Committee, who
selected the next winner to continue building a better
world, with the individual travelling to Colombia in
2025 to volunteer with a hostel partner who provides
educational, sporting, environmental and wellbeing
programmes to positively impact their post-conflict
zone local community.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Gender Balance
Board Dashboard
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
4
1
5
80%
20%
Board (includes Executive Directors)
5
2
7
71%
29%
We are supporters of the 30% Club Ireland and the ‘Balance for Better Business’ group, demonstrating our commitment
to achieving better gender balance, and making Hostelworld an even more diverse, equitable, and inclusive place
to work. The ‘Balance for Better Business’ review group was established in 2018 to drive progress towards gender
balance in business leadership in Ireland by setting targets to work towards over a 5-year period. The Group set a
target to exceed 40% female representation on boards and leadership teams in 2024. We have not met that target
at a Board or ELT level, but our Senior Leadership Team, who directly report to ELT, have exceeded that target where
52% of the leadership cohort are comprised of females.
Our People Dashboard
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Executive Directors and Executive Leadership Team
6
2
8
80%
20%
Senior Leadership Team (Direct Reports of ELT)
16
17
33
48%
52%
Other Employees
103
83
186
55%
45%
Total employees, excluding NEDs
(1)
125
102
227
55%
45%
(1)
Total employees set out above relate to FTEs and those on fixed term contracts at 31 December 2024.
We will continue to prioritise supporting females in
tech continuing our STEM initiatives, particularly our
partnership with Teen-Turn, helping teenage girls realise
their full potential and inspire them to turn to tech-
focused qualifications and careers.
Employee Wellbeing
We remain committed to fostering employee wellbeing.
Empowering people to take charge of their wellbeing
is a key focus, and we offer a range of resources to
help them do just that.
Our Employee Assistance Programme offers 365 days
of 24/7 free and confidential counselling and wellbeing
support. Our Mental Health Champions act as a
confidential and accessible first port of call for any
individuals who may be suffering from mental health
difficulties, and we continue to offer three Wellbeing
Days per year, recognising that there are times when
everyone needs some headspace to unwind and
recharge themselves.
In addition to providing direct support, we encourage
people to educate themselves on key wellbeing topics
to help equip them with the knowledge and tools to
better care for themselves and others. In recognition of
World Mental Health Day, we hosted a virtual masterclass
on prioritising mental health and wellbeing. For World
Menopause Day, we invited people to join an engaging
virtual workshop titled Life in the Pause Lane. When we
got together for our employee conference in September,
we hosted a specific panel discussion with open Q&A on
‘Mental Health and Resilience’ with Olympians Jessie
and Thomas Barr.
Conclusion
Looking back on 2024, it was a year of celebration and
a reminder of the incredible journey we’ve undertaken.
Fuelled by the passion and dedication of our team,
we’re excited to build on the strong foundation we’ve
created over the past 25 years. With our evolving culture,
people-first approach, and deepening commitment to
social responsibility, we are well-positioned to continue
growing, innovating, and making a positive impact.
Bay McCabe
Barry McCabe
Chief People Officer
19 March 2025
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Staircase to Sustainability
What is the Staircase to
Sustainability Framework?
Our hostels have been doing extraordinary work for years
to protect the environment, support local communities
and champion local culture, while offering travellers
authentic and meaningful experiences.
We’ve created a framework to inspire our hostel partners
to further enhance their sustainability credentials,
showcasing their positive impact on both the planet and
on their local culture and communities.
Developed for hostels, the
Staircase to Sustainability
framework helps partners review, compare, and
showcase their sustainability efforts. We want to
connect guests with hostels that care for the planet -
and with the Staircase, now we can.
How it works
Built in line with the Global Sustainability Tourism
Councils (“GSTC”) criteria, the framework is divided
into four pillars:
Sustainability
Management
Socio-Economic
Impact
Cultural
Impact
Environmental
Impact
Providing the
structure to track and
report sustainability
efforts
Supporting people,
ensuring fair
opportunities, and
strengthening local
communities.
Protecting and
maintaining cultural
heritage while ensuring
respectful cultural
interactions
Reducing environmental
impact through resource
conservation and
sustainable practices
Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel, Ubud, Indonesia
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hostels measure their sustainability performance against each pillar. A hostel is assessed and can earn a badge
dependent on their efforts. The framework is structured so that hostels learn from each other and the GSTC criteria
on how to ‘move’ up the framework.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 3+
Getting Started
Strategy in Action
Driving Change
Industry Leaders
Hostel introduces
practices with
positive social and
environmental impacts.
A defined
sustainability strategy
guides progress.
Focus on continuous
improvement, ready for
GSTC certification.
Achieves all prior levels
plus GSTC certification,
leading with top
sustainability practices.
• Over
2,100
hostels
badged since first
launching in Q1 2024.
Hostels are implementing
changes to their
sustainability practices
and progressing through
the levels of the Staircase.
Strong demand for
those hostels who have
attained badged status–
our customers want to
travel more sustainably.
Results to date
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Sustainability at Hostelworld
Hostelworld is a social network powered online travel
agent focused on the hostel market. We connect
customers with hostel partners who make bookings
via our website or our apps.
Our sustainability strategy is twofold. Firstly, we want
to ensure we operate sustainably and conduct our
business in the right way, choosing the right partners
and managing our own emissions. We work
continuously to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions
down to nominal values, achieved through agile ways
of working, favouring smaller, environmentally
conscious co-working spaces and our tech
infrastructure is fully cloud hosted.
Secondly, we promote the inherent sustainability
characteristics of the hostelling industry and we drive
meaningful change by working to assist our supply
chain in optimising how they operate. In doing so,
we can help our travellers find and book the most
sustainable travel options.
Our engineers have worked on developing sustainable
products each year. Our customers have the option to
offset the emission cost of their hostel stay by making
a climate contribution. We also offer sustainability
focused Linkups on our platform, enabling customers
to participate in hostel hosted sustainability events. Our
most significant work centres on our hostel supply, with
the launch of our
Staircase to Sustainability
framework.
Staircase to Sustainability Framework
Progressing a sustainability agenda is a huge hurdle for
any business and particularly so in the hostelling category
where over 80% of our hostels are independently
owned and operated businesses. Our goal is to provide
hostels with access to straightforward sustainability
criteria and so enable them to make informed choices
in managing their properties.
In early 2024 we launched our ‘
Staircase to
Sustainability
’ framework developed in partnership
with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (“GSTC”),
to help hostels review, compare and communicate
their sustainability efforts to customers. The bespoke
framework captures a hostel’s compliance, in a
standardised and low-cost way. The framework is
designed to help hostels identify any gaps in their
current sustainability practices and guide them on how
to enhance their sustainability practices and in doing so,
to move up the ‘staircase’ to secure a formal certification.
A hostel receives a score across four pillars determined
based on how they manage their sustainability targets,
how they protect their employees, guests and local
communities, how they respect local culture and the
overall environment.
As a result of the framework, hostels have a clear
mechanism for communicating their sustainability
practices, can learn from each other and our customers
can browse for the most sustainable hostels on our
site and make informed choices. Since its introduction
over 2,100 hostels have received a ‘
Staircase to
Sustainability
’ badge and we’ve seen strong demand
from customers for those hostels who have attained
badged status.
Promotion of Hostels
With a carbon footprint that is significantly less than
traditional hotels, hostels represent one of the most
environmentally conscious ways to travel. Hostels offer
shared facilities, foster engagement at community level
and interaction amongst travellers, promote local culture
and generally operate sustainable practices such as
recycling and conservation measures. In 2023, Bureau
Veritas compared the average emissions of 30,697 hostel
beds, across Europe, against a sample of representative
European hotel chains. The report identified that hostels
produce 82% less scope 1 and scope 2 carbon
than hotels.
A longstanding guiding principle at Hostelworld
is ‘Building a Better World.’ We want to do the
right thing because we care about our people,
our customers, our partners, and our planet.
We have placed ESG at the core of our culture
and our category.”
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Through our ‘Sustainability Stories’ series, we spotlight
hostels that are leading the way in terms of positive
impact, giving back to their communities and helping
guests explore more responsibly. Our annual HOSCARs
event acknowledges the industry’s efforts with three
responsible travel awards: the Eco Warrior, the
Community Superhero and the Culture Champion.
Our Products
As a result of the ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ Framework,
customer can identify the most sustainable hostels.
While hostelling is a sustainable travel choice, there
are certain emissions that are hard to avoid. We allow
our customers the option to take responsibility for the
emissions associated with their hostel stay, in partnership
with Cloverly. After they make a booking and checkout,
our customers receive a follow-up email with details of
the calculated theoretical emissions associated with
their hostel accommodation and the option to offset
these emissions by supporting a climate project that
reduces an equivalent amount of carbon.
There are many sustainability focused hostel activities,
which our customers can book via the Linkups product
on our platform. These events, curated by the hostels,
allow customers the opportunity to become involved in
the local environment and community.
We share educational content on our website and our
social media platforms, on important topics such as
accessibility, inclusivity and diversity. Topics covered
this year included a profile piece on a solo traveller who
is hearing impaired, profiles of black travel content
creators and travel content for those with additional
needs, such as neurodiversity.
Our People
Our unique and inclusive culture has been recognised
with a silver accreditation by the Irish Centre for Diversity,
an accolade which we are very proud of and one which
speaks to Hostelworld’s culture. We continue to review
our people policies to ensure they provide our employees
with the supports they need. To this effect, we have
further enhanced our people policies to include domestic
abuse, fertility, surrogacy and menopause policies.
We support females in STEM and in addition to our
partnerships with the 30% Club and IMI, we also partner
with Teen-Turn, an Irish charity, which helps young
women from underserved backgrounds gain experience
through work placements. In summer 2024 we had the
Some ESG Highlights:
Winner of the ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Special Initiative Recognition Award’, at the
Diversity in Tech Awards.
Awarded the silver ‘Taking Climate Action’ label for
2024 from South Pole, emission specialists, our
4th year of being awarded their sustainability badge.
Working with our people, launched a new Culture
Code ‘What makes us, us’.
Badged over 2,100 hostels within our ‘
Staircase to
Sustainability
’ Framework.
At our ‘Growing Together’ employee conference in
September held specific workshops on ESG and
invited engagement and interaction from our people.
Ran a World Tourism Day Competition where one
lucky employee will travel to Colombia to volunteer
at Rio Hostel Buritaca, a hostel focused on giving
back to the community that they built their
business on.
Partnered with Teen-turn on their ‘Learn to Earn’
programme, with two eight-week internships for
third level students and five two-week internships
for secondary school students.
ESG focused panel discussions at our Hostelworld
conferences held in Mexico City, Chiang Mai and
Copenhagen, where we made investments in climate
projects to eliminate the climate emission cost of
our employees and hostel delegates attending.
‘Lessons in Resilience and Mental Health’ – an
in-person employee learning session held with
Olympians Thomas and Jessie Barr.
Celebrated International Women’s Day.
Shortlisted for two awards at the ‘Business and
Finance’ Irish Business Awards for ESG and DE&I.
Worked with emissions specialists South Pole, to
set targets for scope 3 emissions.
Celebrated Pride with organisation ‘BeLonG To’.
Ran three responsible travel award categories at
our annual HOSCAR awards.
New series of Sustainability Stories.
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Sustainability
continued
privilege of hosting two third-level students for an 8-week
work placement and five second-level students for a
2-week summer internship.
In addition to an annual leave entitlement of 27 days,
we also offer our employees 3 wellbeing days and
5 volunteering days. Over the course of 2024, our
employees volunteered for a total of 346 hours. In
celebration of ‘World Tourism Day’, we ran a competition
for our employees, asking them for their fresh ideas
and perspective on responsible travel. The winner will
travel to Colombia to volunteer at Rio Hostel Buritaca.
This hostel is focused on the community and has
employed of a full time English teacher to support
locals obtain jobs in tourism. Our winner in 2023
travelled in February 2024 to Sri Lanka, to volunteer
with a local orphanage where their fundraising
initiatives allowed them to install solar panels and
become self-sufficient in their energy use.
Further detail on our people is set out within ‘Our People
and Culture’ on pages 32 to 39.
Our Operations
In 2021 we set a target for our scope 1 and scope 2
emissions, in accordance with Science Based Targets
Initiative (“SBTi”) criteria. At that time, given our
company size, we were not required to set a target for
our scope 3 emissions. We surpassed the target set,
and in 2022 we set an annual target to maintain scope
1 and 2 emissions, below 30 tCO
2
e.
As our business grows, scope 3 emissions will naturally
increase. At this point >85% of our purchased
consumables are with suppliers who have set targets
to be Net Zero by 2030 or have other SBTi reduction
targets in place, with a target of reaching 90% in 2026
validated through independent supplier reviews.
In 2024 we set a target for our scope 3 emissions,
this target does not include emissions associated
with hostel activities, excluded on the basis that we do
not have a complete baseline for reporting on hostel
emissions. We will set a future target for our hostel
emissions when the dataset is further evolved. Over
the near-term we have set a target to reduce our
scope 3 emissions by 37.5% in 2035 in comparison
with 2023, and in the long-term we have set a target
to reduce our scope 3 emissions by 90% in 2040 in
comparison with 2023. To reduce scope 3 emissions,
we will continue to partner with third parties who also
have SBTi targets in place, we will review our existing
lease arrangements to identify low carbon workspaces
and refine our company travel policies.
Each year since 2021, Hostelworld has been awarded
a sustainability badge by South Pole, in recognition of
our efforts in carbon management. Hostelworld received
a Silver ‘Taking Climate Action’ badge, in the current year,
which certifies that our carbon footprint is measured,
reduced and compensated, with appropriate targets in
place for future emission reductions. We are delighted
with the evolution of the South Pole label which is
approved by CO2Logic and validated by Vinçotte
(Member of Group Kiwa), an independent third-party
auditor and partner (with whom Hostelworld do not have
any engagement). The addition of scope 3 emissions
associated with hostel activities and setting a target
for their reduction, will earn Hostelworld gold ‘Taking
Climate Action’ badge. This is a future target of the
Group, as we work towards an ambitious target of net
zero by 2040.
Net Zero by 2040
In 2023, Hostelworld became a signatory to the Climate
Pledge and made a commitment to operating as a Net
Zero company by 2040. Since then, we have deployed
resources to a transition plan to assess how we can
complete our journey. The journey to net zero involves
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our own global
operations, choosing the right partners who themselves
are also committed to sustainability and have also put in
place plans to be net zero by 2030 to 2040, assisting
our hostels in their sustainability initiatives and investing
in climate action projects to offset remaining emissions.
In 2024 we took another step on this journey by setting
a target for our scope 3 emissions, excluding emissions
associated with hostel activities, excluded on the basis
that we do not have an accurate and complete baseline
for reporting. The inclusion of these emissions and
setting a target for their reduction is the next challenge
on our journey to net zero.
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial
Disclosures (“TCFD”)
Climate change has played a large role in influencing our
business strategy. Combatting the damage of climate
change is dependent on the collective efforts of all
industries, companies and people as the globe transitions
to a low carbon economy, with physical risks accelerating
where global temperatures continue to increase.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bi-annually we assess the potential climate related
risks and opportunities for our business, ensuring that
we maintain a focus on reducing our emissions while
adapting to these changing external conditions. We
continually reassess against the metrics and targets
we have set that addresses each climate related risk
and opportunity.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Directive (“CSRD”)
CSRD was a key focus area for the ESG Steerco across
2024 as we proactively prepared for CSRD compliance,
ahead of the expected 01 January 2025 compliance date.
We had focused on completing a double materiality
assessment as required under the standards, a gap
analysis between current reporting and future reporting,
and we had put in place a roadmap to ensure we had
gathered the necessary data in readiness against the
Directive in the 2025 annual report. The EU’s subsequent
simplification in February 2025 has placed us outside
the current CSRD scope, due to Hostelworld having less
than 1,000 employees. We will continue to monitor any
future developments and report as required against the
applicable sustainability reporting standards.
Caroline Shey
Caroline Sherry
Chief Financial Officer and
ESG Steering Committee Chair
19 March 2025
Mad Monkey was founded in 2011 by three
backpackers who fell in love with Cambodia
and its people and wanted to take action to
address the immense poverty in the country,
growing to have other presences in Thailand,
Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and
Australia. Every hostel aims to provide the best
customer experience in the most sustainable
way for the benefit of its guests, team members,
and the local community.
In September 2024, Mad Monkey launched a new
sub-brand, Mad Love, to
deepen their commitment
to socially responsible travel
. From educational
programmes to environmental conservation, Mad Love
aims to make a difference to local communities, and they
allow their guests to get involved in Mad Love events, by
volunteering or by donating. Some highlights in recent
months include:
In the Philippines, Mad Love worked closely with some
schools to organise meal programmes to combat
student hunger, supply classrooms with critical
learning materials, and help create supportive
environments that foster growth.
• For World Oceans Day, beach clean-ups were
organised as part of a long-term dedication to
protecting and preserving the natural beauty of
the places they call home.
In Vang Vieng, Mad Love partnered with Abundant
Water to install water filters at a local school, giving
students access to clean, drinkable water every day.
Across Cambodia, Mad Love fund water wells in
rural communities to ensure families have a consistent
and reliable source of clean water
As well as giving back to local communities, Mad Monkey
have set sustainability targets for all hostels by reducing
waste, conserving water, and encouraging guests to travel
more sustainably.
SUSTAINABILITY
STORY
Community Impact at
Mad Monkey,
Southeast Asia
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TCFD Report
We have identified and assessed our climate-related risks and opportunities and continue to monitor and embed
the identified impacts within our governance, operations, strategic model and risk management system.
Listing Rule 9.8.6R Compliance Statement
Hostelworld Group plc has complied under the ‘comply or explain’ requirements of LR 9.8.6R by including climate
related financial disclosures in this section (and in the information available at the locations referenced therein)
consistent with the TCFD recommendations, relating to the parts of the business over which Hostelworld Group
PLC has operational control.
Overview of compliance with recommendations
The below table summarises where we have addressed the four areas of TCFD focus, with the 11 associated
recommended disclosures. Further detail is included within this Sustainability Report.
Governance
Disclose the organisation’s governance around climate related risks and opportunities
Recommended Disclosure
Disclosure Overview
Board’s oversight of climate-
related risk and opportunities.
Sustainability governance structure is set out on pages 48 and 49, including the
information that is utilised at each level of the governance structure.
Board receives a sustainability update at every scheduled Board meeting
within the CFO presentation and provide direction.
Bi-annually the Board and Audit Committee review and approve the climate-
related risks and opportunities, together with the main risk register.
Audit Committee review TCFD content in the Annual Report and recommend to
the Board their approval of the content.
As well as this section, additional detail is provided within the Chairman’s
Statement, Principal Risks and Uncertainties and the Corporate Governance
Report, with particular focus within the Audit Committee Report.
Management’s role in assessing
and managing climate related
risks and opportunities.
An ESG Steering Committee, led by the CFO, meets monthly and provides
routine updates to the Board.
The ESG Steering Committee manage the risks and opportunities, and
sustainability strategy day to day.
As well as this section, additional detail is provided within the Chief Executive’s
review and Principal Risks and Uncertainties.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Strategy
Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation’s
businesses, strategy, and financial planning where material
Recommended Disclosure
Disclosure Overview
Risks and opportunities over the
short, medium, and long-term
A summary of the Risk and Opportunity Register is set out within this
Sustainability Report.
Impact on business, strategy
and financial planning
The output of the Register has been integrated into our Hostelworld strategy,
where the Group is committed to promoting hostels as a sustainable
accommodation option, and to assist customers and hostels on their
sustainability journeys.
Climate-related risks and opportunities are assessed and managed as a
fundamental part of our governance, strategy setting and management of the
business. Central to Ulriks Chairman’s Statement and Garys Chief Executive’s
Review is sustainability. Identified climate related risks and opportunities have
been embedded into our strategy including the promotion of hostels as a
sustainable travel option, the
Staircase to Sustainability
framework and
managing our own emissions and target setting.
Please see references to sustainability and our strategy set out within the
Strategic Report from pages 10 to 83.
Further, all costs associated with our sustainability strategy, including the cost
of any climate investments we make and compliance with new reporting
standards are considered within our budgeting. Further detail is set out on
page 170.
Resilience of strategy
considering different climate-
related scenarios
Detail is set out within this Sustainability Report on page 58, where we have
concluded that our product offering, and strategy is resilient under a number
of different climate-related scenarios.
Further we included a climate related scenario in our assessment of the
viability of the Group, with detail included on page 73.
Risk Management
Disclose how the organisation identifies, assesses, and manages climate-related risks and opportunities
Recommended Disclosure
Disclosure Overview
Climate-related risks and
opportunities identification
and assessment
An assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities over short, medium
and long term was performed. See detail on pages 49 to 55.
Climate-related risk and
opportunities management
Climate-related risks and opportunities were reviewed in the same manner as
our main Risk Register. Each risk or opportunity is assigned an owner who is
responsible for managing the impact of that risk or opportunity to the Group.
Opportunities have been presented to the Board and have been embedded
within our overall sustainability strategy including the management of our own
emissions and assisting hostels on their sustainability journeys.
Integration of processes into
overall risk management
Climate-related risks and opportunities were reviewed in the same manner as
our main Risk Register, and the Group continue to look at ways of aligning
internal processes with the recommendations of the TCFD.
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Metrics and Targets
Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage relevant climate-related risks and opportunities
Recommended Disclosure
Disclosure Overview
Metrics used to assess risks and
opportunities in line with strategy
and risk management process
The most relevant metrics, on which we report annually, are our GHG emissions
and carbon intensity ratios. These are set out on page 59.
Other metrics are set out within this Sustainability Report on pages 51 to 56.
Scope 1, scope 2, and,
if appropriate, scope 3
greenhouse gas (“GHG”)
emissions and the related risks
South Pole are engaged to calculate Hostelworld’s emissions. GHG accounting
is set out within this Sustainability Report on page 59.
Central to our response has been the setting of scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3
carbon emission reduction targets and building robust roadmaps for their
delivery. Refer to pages 60 and 61 for further detail.
Targets to manage risks,
opportunities, and performance
against targets
Targets are set out within this Sustainability Report on on pages 56 and 57.
Risk Governance:
EMPLOYEES
Receives regular
sustainability
updates at townhalls
and through
newsletters. Travels
responsibly and
manages emissions
day-to-day
PRODUCT &
GROWTH TEAMS
Manages all product
releases for new
functionality linked
to sustainability
PR &
MARKETING
Reviews and verifies
all sustainability
related information
made at employee
townhalls, through
our website, blogs
and social media
FINANCE
& LEGAL
Provides support
where required and
verifies all
calculations and
emissions; complete
the annual
sustainability
disclosures
GLOBAL
MARKET
Handles day-to-day
communications
with hostels and
assist with hostel
sustainability
journeys
ESG
STEERCO
Receive specific
training and focus
on ESG initiatives.
Represents senior
management from
each business area
to ensure that
sustainability is
embedded across
the Group
REMUNERATION
COMMITTEE
Assesses whether
any climate-related
metrics should
be incorporated
into remuneration
policies
AUDIT
COMMITTEE
Monitors climate
related risks and
opportunities and
the internal control
system, and approves
all sustainability
disclosures, metrics
and targets
GROUP
MANAGEMENT
Responsible for
the day-to-day
delivery of the
Group sustainability
strategy
NOMINATION
COMMITTEE
Considers candidates
with sustainability
and ESG experience
for Board succession
planning purposes
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In line with the principal risks, the Board takes overall responsibility for identifying the nature and extent
of climate-related risks and opportunities to be managed by the Group to ensure the successful delivery
of its sustainability agenda, and sets the sustainability strategy of the Group
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Board of Directors:
There has been a high level of
focus on climate-related matters at Board level as the
landscape continues to evolve with further regulatory
developments and changes in stakeholder expectations.
The expertise of the Board on climate-related risks and
ESG-related matters continues to be enhanced through
regular interactions with management and through
membership of Board members on boards of other large
companies with significant internal ESG-related subject
matter expertise. The Board takes overall responsibility
for identifying the nature and extent of the climate-
related risks and opportunities to be managed by the
Group to ensure the successful delivery of its strategic
and business priorities.
The Audit Committee
is responsible for reviewing and
approving the content against the TCFD requirements
and for reviewing the Group’s climate-related Risks and
Opportunities Register twice yearly. The Audit Committee
is also responsible for monitoring the development of
climate-related risk metrics and targets and performance
against these targets. Further detail is included in the
Audit Committee Report on pages 117 to 123.
The Remuneration Committee
reviews annually any
impact to its incentive structure for sustainability
related metrics. The Group does not have any ESG or
climate-related metrics that are incorporated into its
remuneration policies currently.
Management
is responsible for managing on a day-to-
day basis the climate-related risks and opportunities
faced by the Group and for delivering the roadmap to
achieve the climate-related risk and opportunity
management strategy set by the Board.
The ESG and TCFD Steering Committee
, chaired by
the CFO, is comprised of representatives from group
finance and legal, global markets, people, product and
marketing teams; oversees our sustainability strategy,
progress against the TCFD recommendations and the
publication of our annual disclosures. The ESG and
TCFD Steering Committee received specific training
on sustainability and CSRD regulations from a leading
consultancy firm in H2 2023 and keeps up-to-date on
regulatory requirements through access to external
advisors and attendance at external briefings hosted
by ESG and TCFD subject matter experts.
Our functions support the business in achieving their
climate-related risks and sustainability targets. Marketing
and public relations communicate our climate-related
risks and sustainability strategy to external stakeholders.
Group finance educates the business on how to
understand the financial impacts of climate-related
risks and opportunities, produces external ESG metric
reporting and prepares annual report disclosures that
align to the recommendations of TCFD. Product teams
are responsible for any products on the roadmap, namely
any products that impact customers and the ‘
Staircase
to Sustainability
’ framework. Global markets are
responsible for all hostel interactions and the delivery
of our ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework.
Identifying and Managing Climate-Related
Risks and Opportunities
Each half year a robust assessment is performed of
the climate-related risks and opportunities affecting
the Group.
Climate-related risks and opportunities are monitored
and reported on using a bottom-up approach. Workshops
are conducted and external experts such as South Pole,
climate emission specialists, are engaged as required
to give guidance on enhancements in regulations
year-on-year. Each risk or opportunity is assigned
an owner on the ESG and TCFD Steering Committee
who have the expert subject knowledge for that risk
or opportunity. Each risk and opportunity identified is
subject to an assessment incorporating likelihood of
occurrence, time horizon it could impact the Group,
any mitigations in place to evaluate the residual risk
and the potential financial impact it could have on the
Group. In this assessment, other subject matter experts
in Hostelworld are engaged as required in the review
such as the group finance and group legal teams,
and the Chief Supply Officer who oversees hostel
relationships and the impact that climate change
can have on hostel supply. The completed risk and
opportunity register is reviewed by the ESG and
TCFD Steering Committee and presented to the Audit
Committee biannually, together with the Group’s main
Risk Register. In turn, the Audit Committee present the
Risk and Opportunity Register to the Board for final
approval. The most material risks and opportunities
facing the Group are set out in the following table,
together with comments on how they are managed
to minimise their potential impact.
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Principal Risks and Opportunities Register
Time Horizon:
Short:
Up to three years. Aligned with our Group
Viability Statement and the Board approved Budget
and two-year outlook.
Medium:
From three to ten years. Nearer term to
primarily capture transition risks and opportunities,
embedded with our sustainability strategy and aligns
to the longest contracts in place at Hostelworld.
Long:
Beyond ten years. Greatest level of uncertainty
associated with these climate-related risks and
opportunities, primarily linked to the physical risks
identified, ten+ long term in line with the visions
and commitments of the Climate Pledge and the
Governments with which we serve.
Impact categorisation:
Low
– limited damage or upside to the Group if the
risk or opportunity materialised, taking account of
mitigation in place. Low is defined at 0-€0.5m
financial impact.
Medium
– some damage or upside to the Group if the
risk or opportunity materialised, taking account of
mitigation in place. Medium is defined at 0.5m-€2m
financial impact.
High
– significant financial impact to the Group
through damage or upside if the risk or opportunity
materialised, taking account of mitigation in place.
Significant is defined at > €2m financial impact.
This hostel, who recently celebrated 20 years
in business, have made it
their mission to
promote the social and professional inclusion
of people with disabilities
.
Out of their 60 staff members, 55 have a disability. INOUT
hostel is the first of its kind, built from a non-profit social
initiative. Surrounded by the peace of Parc Natural de
Collserola, INOUT provides a refreshing respite from
the hustle of Barcelona city, with an equally refreshing
outlook on the capabilities of those with extra needs.
INOUT’s team members work in roles across the hostel
and restaurant, to ensure the smooth running of daily
activities and to help travellers enjoy their stay, and
excelling in social work environments.
INOUT doesn’t just provide an inclusive workplace,
they’ve created an inclusive and accessible space for
travellers too. The hostel is tailored to meet the physical,
visual and auditory needs of anyone who enters the
building with features such as braille signs, podotactile
flooring, ramps and elevators, adapted parking, accessible
beds and adapted bathrooms. In their local community, the
hostel has done what it set out to; change misconceptions
about what disabled people can and cannot do and
generate respect for those with extra needs.
SUSTAINABILITY
STORY
Inclusivity at
INOUT Hostel, Barcelona
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Transitional Risks
Regulatory, Public Scrutiny and Reputational Risk
Time Horizon:
Medium and long term. While we are no longer in scope under CSRD in 2025, we do anticipate other
future reporting standards and continuing focus from our stakeholders as we work towards net zero
by 2040.
Likelihood:
Likely
Geography:
Primary risk in the countries in which Hostelworld are listed, on London Stock Exchange in the UK and
on Euronext, in Ireland, and where Hostelworld has its headquarters in Dublin.
Impact
Categorisation:
Medium.
Risk Description:
The risks of damage to brand value and loss of customer base from shifting public sentiment about
climate change driven by increasing shareholder expectations and a potential shift in consumer preferences.
A risk of greenwashing claims, if Hostelworld is identified as an organisation that makes false claims about
its sustainability activities, the reputational damage could be devastating and could impact revenue,
supplier and employee relationships and investor relations. We may also be subject to climate-related
litigation claims.
In addition, the Group has risks from existing and emerging regulation aimed at addressing climate change
which include enhanced reporting obligations, exposure to litigation, increased pricing of GHG emissions
and related climate investments to offset and any limits on tourism activities and travel transport.
Potential
Financial Impact
and Mitigations:
The Group engage with its stakeholders regularly to assess their expectations in terms of business
resilience and climate policies. Through our Sustainability Report, our website and interaction with our
investors through our market updates and roadshows we communicate our efforts and sustainability
strategy with our stakeholders.
We invest in responding to stakeholder expectations, and have targets set in line with SBTi criteria.
Hostelworld avail of credible third parties to support work undertaken where possible. We partnered
with South Pole to calculate our emissions. Our sustainability framework is based on the principles set
out by the GSTC. We closely monitor for any bad press.
The Group monitor upcoming regulations and prepare for compliance. We focus on improving reporting
practices and increasing the reliability of our data.
To monitor the risk day to day there is an increased regulatory and PR cost to Hostelworld. If the risk
did materialise it is difficult to quantify the impact without a specific scenario arising but from initial
assessment brand damage in the area would easily exceed €1m. We have categorised the risk as high.
To date no legal actions have been taken against corporates who operate the same model as we do.
We have not assessed the financial impact of a litigation claim as we consider it unlikely.
Metrics
Any datapoints received through stakeholder engagement
Any negative press announcements or regulator comments concerning sustainability, which may
impact how we view of the materiality of this risk if legal or regulatory action is taken against corporates
Targets
Zero negative press news stories regarding Hostelworld or negative regulator comments on
our disclosures
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Sustainability
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Market Change/Customer Sentiment Risk
Time Horizon:
Short, medium and long term.
Likelihood:
Unlikely
Geography:
This is a global risk with Hostelworld having supply in >180 countries.
Impact
Categorisation:
High
Risk Description:
The risks from shifting supply and demand as economies react to climate change.
There is a risk of an increase in supply prices including the cost of flights for our travellers. Increased
supply prices may arise from carbon taxation or increased taxation across the aviation sector, which
may impact our customers willingness to travel.
There is also a risk of changing customer behaviour and a potential decline of sales of travel services
as customers look for more sustainability options.
Potential
Financial Impact
and Mitigations:
Hostelworld have a product that addresses the need of customers who want to travel but are looking
for more sustainable travel options.
Our target 18-34
-year-old population tend to view their trips to be a ‘rite of passage’ rather than a more
discretionary or optional vacation resulting in less aversion to small increments in pricing.
Difficult to currently quantify financial as a broad range of outcomes are possible based on customer
sentiment. We have classified the impact as high as a general shift in customer sentiment away from
travel would have a material impact.
Metrics
Bookings and conversion by customers, monitored in each destination may flag any changes in
demand driven by changing customer sentiment
Bookings and conversions by customers with our sustainability badged hostels would provide insight
into customer sentiment and support towards hostels who invest in sustainability
Targets
A specific product and experiment launched by our Product and Growth team focused on sustainability,
which operates as a mitigation to shifting customer sentiment shifting to more sustainable options
Jo&Joe is at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain in a
colourful jungle setting complete with pools, terraces,
DJ areas, hammocks, restaurants and bars with the
best Caipirinhas in town. This backpacker haven is
100% plastic free, uses clean energy and runs regular
beach clean-ups.
• 2025 WINNER •
The Eco Warrior Winner:
Jo&Joe,
Rio de Janeiro
53
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Physical Risks
Physical Chronic Risk: Longer-Term Shifts in Climate Patterns
Time Horizon:
Long term assuming this reoccurs for hostels in specific locations each year or hostels are
permanently shut.
Likelihood:
We consider this a likely event with an increasing risk as evidenced by recent weather events, and
general outlooks provided.
Geography:
This is a global risk with Hostelworld having supply in >180 countries.
Impact
Categorisation:
Low
Risk Description:
The risk of longer-term changes in weather patterns which can include disruptions to regional or global
travel and changes in destinations, change in hostel supply and rising operational costs for our hostels.
Sustained higher temperatures that may cause sea levels to rise and/or chronic heat impacting travel in
the impacted areas.
Potential
Financial Impact
and Mitigations:
Hostelworld has a diverse customer base and operates across a wide number of geographical locations.
Our target 18-34
-year-old population tend to be flexible as to travel destination. Should a shift in climate
patterns occur we will experience an impact to revenue in the specific location as demand falls for the
location impacted.
We also know that our customers are flexible and want to travel – if they are unable to travel to a particular
country or place, we have evidence from studying historic booking behaviours (e.g. during the Icelandic
volcano ash cloud of 2010) that demand moves elsewhere.
Where there is a severe weather event and demand does move to a new location, hostels have a
relatively low set up cost from a physical structure and regulatory perspective compared to other
accommodation solutions.
Difficult to currently quantify financial as a broad range of outcomes are possible based on potential
countries impacted, but the overall risk would be considered low driven by the disaggregation of our
revenue and the high volume of bookings/customers. Several locations would need to be impacted at
the same time with 100% hostel closure for the financial impact to be considered as medium or high.
Metrics
Bookings and conversion by customers, monitored in each destination may flag any changes in demand
as a result of physical chronic risk
Targets
None
54
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Sustainability
continued
Physical Acute Risk: Extreme Weather Events (Hurricanes, Flooding) Impacted Travel in the Impacted Areas
Time Horizon:
Short to medium term (if hostels would have the ability to reopen).
Likelihood:
We consider this a likely event with an increasing risk as evidenced by recent weather events.
Geography:
This is a global risk with Hostelworld having supply in >180 countries.
Impact
Categorisation:
Low
Risk Description:
The risk of increasing extreme weather events which would include interruption and damage to business
operations and performance, or disruptions to regional or global travel, or damage to the physical assets
of our hostel partners.
Extreme weather events (hurricanes, flooding) can impact travel in the area where the physical risk
has occurred.
Potential Impact
and Mitigations:
The Group work on engaging with the hostels in our supply chain. Should an event occur, Hostelworld
would experience a short-term impact to revenue in the specific location as customers change their
travel plans. Our target 18-34
-year-old population tend to be flexible as to travel destination. We have
evidence from studying historic booking behaviours (e.g. during the Icelandic volcano ash cloud of
2010) that demand moves elsewhere.
Difficult to currently quantify financial as a broad range of outcomes are possible based on potential
countries impacted. Several locations would need to be impacted at the same time with 100% hostel
closure for the financial impact to be considered as medium or high.
Metrics
Bookings and conversion by customers, monitored in each destination may flag any changes in demand
as a result of physical acute risks
Targets
Nil
Wonderland is a hostel, charitable organisation and
education hub which tackle educational and economic
challenges facing communities in Thailand, Myanmar
and Malaysia. From educational outreach to environmental
stewardship, they offer opportunities are available for
those eager to make a difference. To date, they’ve
equipped 300 students with essential skills including two
who started with no English and have since returned
as teachers!
• 2025 WINNER •
The Community Superhero Winner:
Wonderland Jungle
Hostel, Thailand
55
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Opportunities
Opportunity to Support Hostels and Customers Through Delivery of Sustainable Products
Time Horizon:
Short to medium term.
Likelihood:
Likely
Geography:
This is a global risk with Hostelworld having supply in >180 countries.
Impact
Categorisation:
Low
Opportunity
Description:
Opportunity to support hostels on their sustainability initiatives regardless of what stage they are at on
their journey through our ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework. By investing in hostels, their sustainability
initiatives and education we can increase the reliability of supply chain and their resilience, leading to
competitive advantage, as well as alignment with stakeholder and regulator expectations, and work
towards a net zero target by 2040.
There is also an opportunity to develop sustainable products and low emission services to accommodate
shift in consumer preference. Development and/or expansion of new and existing products and services
addressing the climate-related changes in customer or partner demands.
We have committed internal resources from revenue development projects to sustainability as we genuinely
believe it is the right thing to do. We have and will continue to undertake experiments to understand the
popularity of additional feature offerings. Examples include our partnership with Cloverly, leveraging our
new Linkups feature within our social platform for hostel ESG events, allowing eco chats and Hostelworld
focused social media campaigns.
Potential Impact
and Materiality
Cost of this opportunity relates to a commitment of wages and salaries costs of our technology,
development, and global market teams to develop the products. Wages and salaries have a negligible
financial impact given existing squads are already in place with allocated time on roadmaps.
From a product success point of view, we believe this opportunity to have a high impact. For example,
Hostelworld is uniquely positioned to assist hostels with the measurement of their emissions, assist them
on their journeys to be audit ready and can apply to obtain formal certification through our ‘
Staircase
to Sustainability
’ framework.
Metrics
Volume of product offerings and experiments to further enhance the sustainable nature of hostelling
Targets
1 sustainable focused product to be delivered annually
Overall ambition to work towards net zero by 2040
56
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Sustainability
continued
Opportunity to Reduce and Manage Hostelworld’s Emissions
Time Horizon:
Short to long term to align with the scope 3 emission targets we have recently set.
Likelihood:
Likely
Geography:
Impacts the locations where our people are based with office spaces in Dublin, London, Portugal,
Australia and China.
Impact
Categorisation:
Low
Opportunity
Description:
Use resources efficiently and manage ways of working of employees to limit Hostelworld’s impact on
environment. Steps already taken to reduce our impact on the environment include items such as
paperless office environment, recycling promotion across our locations, energy and natural resource
conservation e.g., our offices have stop taps for water consumption and controlled lighting and air
conditioning, and HR policies in place to support flexible methods of working to allow people to work
from home and avoid emissions of commuting.
We will continue to make changes as we work towards our scope 3 emission reduction target.
Potential Impact
and Materiality
For the emissions we directly control, we operate a low emissions environment and as such the opportunity
has low impact on direct operations of the Group. We utilise shared office locations across our office
presence in Dublin, London, Portugal and Australia which means we have low scope 1 and scope 2
emissions, which drives an impact categorisation of low.
Our scope 3 emissions, which we do not directly control, are our largest category. We are working
towards reduction targets in 2035 and 2040.
Metrics
Scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 emissions
Volume of investments in climate action projects
Targets
To maintain scope 1 and scope 2 emissions below 30 tCO
2
e
Reduce scope 3 emissions by 37.5% by 2035, when compared to 2023, excluding hostel emissions
Reduce scope 3 emissions by 90% in 2040, when compared to 2023, excluding hostel emissions
Overall ambition to work towards net zero by 2040
Obtain a ‘taking climate action’ label, or similar, from a reputable third party annually and set a future
target of a gold ‘Taking Climate Action’ label with South Pole, or equivalent with another party
By 2026 ensure over 90% of our purchased consumables will be with suppliers who are either
climate neutral or who have established their own SBTi targets to be climate neutral by 2030
Reporting Against Prior Year Targets Set in
the 2023 Sustainability Report:
In 2023 we set out several targets and metrics that we
wanted to achieve set out as follows:
Obtain a ‘taking climate action’ label, or similar,
awarded by a reputable third party annually. We have
obtained South Pole’s label for the fourth consecutive
year. Further detail is set out on page 61.
Maintain total scope 1 and scope 2 emissions below
30 tCO
2
e annually. Our emissions are set out on
page 59.
In 2024 set a target for scope 3 emissions that is
suitable for our business, the detail of which is set
out on page 60.
By 2026 ensure over 90% of our purchased
consumables will be with suppliers who are either
climate neutral or who have established their own
SBTi targets to be climate neutral by 2030. In 2024
over 85% of our purchased consumables were with
suppliers who have established their own SBTi targets,
and we are on track to deliver by 2026. We have
engaged with suppliers through our procurement
function, and we are aware of plans in place with
venders that will allow us to reach this target.
To not contribute any emissions from our operations
by investment in climate action projects to take
responsibility for our emissions which cannot be
eliminated annually, and to take responsibility for the
carbon emissions of any hostel conferences or other
large Hostelworld events.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
57
Ensure any investments are made with a reputable
third party and maintain this standard annually.
Investments have been made with South Pole.
For employee engagement ensure there is an annual
specific employee engagement initiative, which in
2024 focused on a ESG workshop with our employees
at our 25-year celebration in Dublin. We provided
our people with an update on ESG initiatives, we
invited them to share their ideas, and we launched
a competition where the winner was ultimately
selected to travel to one of our hostels in Colombia
to volunteer in Summer 2025.
Within our product and growth teams ensure a
specific product and experiment roadmap focused on
sustainability annually. 2024 work focused on the
launch of the ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework,
badging for hostels and the rollout and signup of
hostels to the framework.
Current Year Target Setting:
We will continue to monitor against previous targets
set with some new additions made.
Committed targets set:
Obtain a sustainability label, or similar, awarded by a
reputable third party annually which verifies that we
have appropriately quantified our emissions, have
an emission reduction roadmap and targets in
place, and have made climate investments to offset
the emissions that we cannot reduce.
Maintain total scope 1 and scope 2 emissions below
30 tCO
2
e annually.
Reduce scope 3 emissions by 37.5% by 2035, when
compared to 2023, excluding hostel emissions.
Reduce scope 3 emissions by 90% in 2040, when
compared to 2023, excluding hostel emissions.
By 2026 ensure over 90% of purchased consumables
are with suppliers who have established SBTi
targets, or similar, to work towards net zero in 2040.
To not contribute any emissions from operations
by investment in climate action projects to take
responsibility for our emissions which cannot be
eliminated annually. Ensure any investments are
made with a reputable third party and maintain this
standard annually.
For employee engagement ensure there is an annual
specific sustainability employee engagement
initiative annually.
Within our product and growth teams ensure a
specific product and experiment roadmap focused
on sustainability annually.
Surrounded by jungle, monkeys and good vibes
Lagarto na Banana has a strong focus on
connection, community and fun. The hostel is
open to everyone, regardless of origin, gender,
age or history, for all types of travellers, also
offering a coworking space for digital nomads.
Every day of the week they operate cultural
activities organised by employees, guests or
residents of the local community ranging from
surf lessons with partners, dance classes,
theatre, capoeira, poetry, philosophical circles,
reiki, game nights, language exchanges, sports
activities, cinelagarto and much more.
• 2025 WINNER •
The Culture Champion Winner:
Lagarto na Banana,
Northern Brazil
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Sustainability
continued
Other metrics and targets under review:
The ability to measure scope 3 emissions for hostels
in an accurate and complete manner and set a target
for reduction of these scope 3 emissions, in line with
SBTi criteria. Hostel emissions are currently under
review, and we do not have a timeline that we are
able to commit to at present.
The ambition to be net zero by 2040, is largely
dependent on our work with hostels and the ability
to measure and reduce hostel emissions.
If we continue to partner with South Pole, the ability
to measure and set a target for our scope 3 hostel
emissions will allow us to work towards a target of
their gold ‘Taking Climate Action’ label.
The Impact of Climate Change on our
Financial Statements
We considered the potential impacts of climate change
risks when preparing our Consolidated Financial
Statements and given the nature of our activities we
have determined that there is no material impact on
the financial reporting judgements and estimates and
as a result there is no impact on the valuations of the
Group’s assets and liabilities from these risks as at
31 December 2024. Further, following an assessment
completed by management in 2024, the Group have
not identified any cause for any other liability, provision
or impairment of any assets because of its review of
climate related matters. Operating costs in 2024, and the
2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further two years
of management projections, incorporate any operating
costs relating to our sustainability roadmap, namely the
personnel required to support on commitments and
targets in place, as well as the cost of any current and
future emission reductions and investments in climate
action projects. Refer to page 170 within the financial
statements for further details.We continue to monitor the
resilience of the organisation with due regard for the
climate-related risks and opportunities that the business
faces. Under its current strategy and assessment of
climate related scenarios, the Group is sufficiently
protected against climate-related risks that may impact
the value chain, due to its global presence, the partners
the Group chooses to work with, as well as existing
and planned mitigation actions such as the output of
work on our
Staircase to Sustainability
framework and
our target setting under the SBTi criteria.
Scenario Analysis
We have examined our business under a range of
scenarios, to assess the resilience of the Group’s strategy
under different climate scenarios. An assessment was
made which applied two climate scenarios:
Low: The first assumes that global efforts to curb
emissions is enough to limit global average temperature
increases to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial
levels (as set out in the Paris Agreement) by 2100
(the 1.5°C scenario). Within this scenario we assumed
increasing policy, regulation and high costs for
decarbonisation, with the primary impact to the Group
being increased operational costs as set out in our
risk analysis above.
High: This represents a scenario where few or no
steps are taken to limit emissions, with potential
warming of 4°C by 2100. We have assumed in this
scenario that changes are less rapid, and emissions
remain high, so that the physical ramifications of
climate change are more apparent by 2030. The
primary impact within this scenario was extreme
weather events of escalating severity and frequency,
which could increase disruption to our hostels and
our customers as set out in our risk analysis above.
The analysis completed has limitations with it being
difficult to quantify the timing and impact of climate-
related risks and opportunities on our business. As a
result of the scenario analysis completed there were no
changes made to the strategy for the Group, with each
scenario confirming that while there are risks to us,
our existing strategy to manage our own emmissions
and assist hostels on their own sustainability journeys
is the most appropriate. We do have additional reporting
within our Viability Statement on page 73 and within
going concern on page 169 that consider other climate
related scenarios.
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GHG Accounting and Target Setting
1. Monitoring our Emissions
South Pole are a third party specialist who have calculated Hostelworlds scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 emissions.
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
(1)
2019
(1)
Scope 1 – Direct emissions from sources owned/controlled
by Hostelworld (tCO
2
e)
1
Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from energy usage (tCO
2
e)
7
7
15
72
127
134
Scope 3 – Indirect emissions from activities of the Company,
but not under company control (tCO
2
e)
1,520
2,412
1,576
542
62
782
Total emissions (tCO
2
e)
1,527
2,419
1,591
615
189
916
Net Revenue (€’m)
92.0
93.3
69.7
16.9
15.4
80.7
Intensity Ratio (tCO
2
e/€’m)
16.6
25.9
22.8
36.4
12.3
11.4
FTE, number of people employed 31 December
(including Executive Directors)
227
223
241
215
244
325
Intensity Ratio (tCO
2
e/FTE)
6.7
10.9
6.6
2.9
0.8
2.8
Investments in climate action projects made – tCO
2
e
1,527
2,419
1,591
615
n/a
n/a
(1)
This represents an element of, not total, scope 3 emissions. South Pole measured GHG emissions from 2021 through to 2023. Prior to 2021, purchased
consumables did not include paid marketing costs incurred.
Scope 1 emissions, driven by refrigerants and scope 2
emissions, from purchased energy and heating
contribute less than 1% of total emissions. The majority
of Hostelworld’s emissions are scope 3 emissions,
which are caused by our supply chain. Key categories
relate to purchased goods and materials, business travel
and employee commuting. Reduction year-on-year
primarily driven by the benefit of emission reduction
strategies implemented by Google, who reported that
their scope 1 and scope 2 emissions have reduced by
50% in the last year.
Hostelworld have not disclosed any hostel emissions in
their disclosures. Under SBTi criteria scope 3 emissions
from use of sold products include the scope 1 and
scope 2 emissions of end users (both consumers and
business customers). The Group have not disclosed this
detail due to limitations in the accuracy and completeness
of the underlying catalogue of emissions comprising
hostel stays. Over the coming years, the Group will
focus on continuing their investment to calculate an
accurate inventory of hostel emissions.
There has been no change in approach applied in
2024 v 2023. GHG emissions have been measured as
required under the Companies (Directors’ Report) and
Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report)
Regulations 2018. We have used the GHG Protocol
Corporate Accounting and Reporting standards (revised
edition), data gathered to fulfil the requirements under
the CRC Energy Efficiency scheme, emission factors
from Defra and UK Government conversion factors for
Company Reporting (2018) to calculate the disclosures,
where they are not separately disclosed by a supplier.
The below table demonstrates the overall energy
consumed in Kilowatt-hours (kWh) by the business
and shows the portion of this consumption that the UK
corporate office has consumed on the overall total. This
table is based on the energy consumed in the purchase
of electricity and gas for the corporate offices and does
not include the consumption of energy used for
employee travel.
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Energy usage – UK
2,171
1,700
6,423
36,296
192,434
177,365
Energy usage – Other Locations
42,783
66,200
110,324
189,412
247,721
323,587
Total Energy Usage
44,954
67,900
116,747
225,708
440,155
500,952
Proportion Consumed in UK
5%
0.03%
5%
16%
44%
35%
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Sustainability
continued
2. Emission Reduction Targets
South Pole and Hostelworld reference from the GHG
Protocol for accounting, SBTi criteria for target setting
and emission reductions, and SBTi BVCM to fund global
climate action. The SBTi is a partnership between
Carbon Disclosure Project (“CDP”), the United Nations
Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the
Worldwide Fund for Nature.
Near-term science-based targets were set in 2021 as
a base year with absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG
emissions reduction targets that should be achieved
by 2030. A target was set to reduce our scope 1 and 2
emissions by 42%, which we already achieved in 2022
in comparison with 2021. In 2022 we set an annual
target to maintain scope 1 and scope 2 emissions,
below 30 tCO
2
e.
In 2024 the group set a target for scope 3 emissions,
excluding the impact of hostel stays, to reduce our
scope 3 emissions by 90% in 2040 in comparison with
base year 2023. Our targets set for all our emissions
consider future growth projections. Details of emissions
to support each base year are set out in the table above.
In partnership with South Pole, Hostelworld have
also made an investment in carbon projects to take
responsibility of 100% of our reported scope 1, scope 2
and scope 3 emissions, including emissions relating
to employee and hostel delegate attendance at our
flagship conference events. We have also obtained
a certificate of verified carbon unit reduction for all
investments made in climate action projects, which
is fully auditable.
Casa en el Agua, House in the Water, is a one-
of-a-kind island eco-hostel is in the San Bernardo
Islands in the Colombian Caribbean. The park
protects the largest, most diverse, and most
developed coral reef along the Caribbean coast
of Colombia, and have made ethnotourism their
mission, a type of travel that relies on respectful
intercultural exchange, for example, immersion
in local communities to better understand their
cultural heritage.
Casa en el Agua work hard to
limit their environmental
impact
. They are powered by solar energy, rainwater is
collected and stored in two large tanks on a nearby island,
they have a state-of-the-art desalination system to
provide high quality drinking water during dry spells, and
to conserve water, showers are limited to three minutes
and there are dry toilets, and a composting system. They
use local ingredients and seafood for communal dinners
each night, and organic waste generated in the kitchen
and bar is transformed into compost, glass bottles are
turned into bricks and decorations, and aluminium cans
are being transformed into a football field!
Casa en el Agua have kickstarted a project in collaboration
with locals and other hostels to collect as many cans as
possible and send them to the mainland for recycling. The
funds from the sale of recycled aluminium go towards
a community project: building a new soccer field for a
local team.
The hostel teams are made up of locals, and employees
get access to quality healthcare and are offered training in
customer service, conservation, mangrove preservation,
sustainable practices and a variety of professional skills,
opening doors to new opportunities.
The hostel runs a project called Islote School where, with
the help of a teacher from Canada, they bring volunteer
teachers to Santa Cruz del Islote to provide English lessons
for local children. They also donate school supplies
SUSTAINABILITY
STORY
Eco-ethnotourism at
Casa en el Agua, Colombia
61
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
3. Taking Climate Action Label
Each year Hostelworld apply for and have been awarded South Pole’s climate action label which has evolved over
time as regulations have evolved. In 2023 Hostelworld received South Pole’s ‘Taking Climate Action’ label which has
evolved in the current year to ‘Taking Climate Action.’
The Taking Climate Action certifies that a company’s carbon footprint is measured, reduced, and compensated annually.
The Taking Climate Action label is approved by CO2Logic and validated by Vinçotte (Member of Group Kiwa), an
independent third-party auditor and partner (who Hostelworld do not have engagement with). Each label is validated
the first year then at least every 3 years. This adds an extra layer of credibility to the label which is key in light of the
increasingly demanding European Directives with regards to Green Claims. The label is awarded following completion
of the following 5 steps:
Quantify and
analyse emissions
using a recognised
standard
Develop an
emission
reduction plan
and contribution
strategy
Set at least an
internal reduction
target and
contribution target
(link with SBTi)
Offset remaining
emissions with
certified carbon
credits
Communicate
publicly,
transparently and
unambiguously
The label has different levels ranging from bronze to gold, with level awarded dependent upon the scope of calculation
and the ambitiousness of the reduction targets. Hostelworld have been awarded a silver entity accreditation. A silver
entity means that all direct and indirect emissions from scope 1 and scope 2, as well as the indirect emissions linked
to fuel and energy-related emissions, waste from operations, business travel and employee home-work commuting
have been calculated and targets set.
Hostelworld have set a future target of the gold accreditation, which will be driven by Hostelworld measuring accurately
its scope 3 emissions from Hostels and setting a target for the reduction of those emissions. Future target setting to
achieve a gold accreditation must cover two-thirds of Hostelworlds emissions.
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Principal Risks and Uncertainties
Risk Identification
Our business model and results are subject to risks and
uncertainties which could adversely affect our business,
financial stability, and cash flows. Risk is an inherent
factor. While demand for hostelling has remained strong,
changing travel patterns including increased travel to
lower cost regions, ongoing inflationary and cost of
living pressures, and continuing geopolitical tensions
remain as risk factors which can impact demand. The
Hostelworld Group strategy can contribute additional
risk such as the impact of social features, and external
factors such as the growth of artificial intelligence and
the impact on Hostelworld also contribute. Additionally,
climate change poses a number of physical and
transition-related risks for our business. The Group has
a detailed climate related risk and opportunities register
which is included on pages 49 to 56.
The Group’s risk register process is based upon a
standardised approach applied to identify, assess
and mitigate against risks in the business. Within these
processes, there is input across all levels of the business
to ensure that risk identification processes capture all
evolving risk areas and mitigating strategies.
From the bottom-up, risk is identified and mitigated at
a business unit level by the executive leadership team,
senior management team, their teams, and subject
matter experts including the Data Protection Officer
and Head of IT Security.
Clink i Lár, Dublin, Ireland
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Senior management team
members (primarily functional
team leads, who report
directly to ELT) are assigned
responsibility for the daily
management of risks,
reviewing and reporting on
the effectiveness of controls
in place, and consolidating the
principal risks, and changes
year-on-year, for each
update made to the Principal
Risk Register. Each risk is
assigned an owner on the
senior management team,
and additional contributors
dependent on the risk.
Subject matter experts
including the Head of Tax,
Data Protection Officer
(“DPO”) and Head of IT
Security offer input on risks
relevant to their areas of
expertise. We have also
engaged third parties to
supplement knowledge base
where applicable including
climate consultants South
Pole and third-party cyber
security specialists.
The ESG Steerco
support the
ELT in identifying climate-
related risks and opportunities
under the TCFD framework
and supports the Group’s
ongoing commitment to
ESG matters including
monitoring current and
emerging ESG trends,
changes in sustainability
regulations, and the impacts
on the Group. The ESG
Steerco feed directly into the
Group Risk Register, and the
Climate Related Risks and
Opportunity Register, which
are reviewed concurrently.
The Executive Leadership Team (“ELT”)
The ELT are responsible for ensuring appropriate risk management is incorporated into the business. They
support the Board and Audit Committee through oversight of risk management processes and monitoring the
risk environment and effectiveness of controls in place. The ELT compete a detailed review of the Group Risk
Register prior to reporting to the Audit Committee and the Board.
The Audit Committee
The Audit Committee supports the Board in carrying out its risk oversight and management responsibilities
The Audit Committee has delegated responsibility for risk identification and assessment, in addition to reviewing
the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control systems and making recommendations
to the Board thereon.
The Board
The Board holds overall responsibility for risk and sets the Group risk appetite including determining the
extent of risk that is tolerable in pursuit of its strategic objectives. The Board, together with the Audit
Committee conduct a detailed formal half-year and full-year review of the risk register, including emerging
risks and the mitigating actions that are in place. The Board is satisfied that its risk identification and
management systems are effective, its mitigations and internal control processes are effective, and that the
risks described within this report describe effectively the principal risks of the Group at present.
The Board also considered its obligations in relation to providing both the annual viability and going concern
statements, and its conclusions can be found on page 73 and note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
set out on page 169 respectively.
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Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
Overview Principal Risk Register
The most material risks and uncertainties impacting the
business are listed on pages 65 to 72, together with
comments on how they are managed to minimise their
potential impact. The table is not prioritised in a particular
order, nor an exhaustive list of all risks that may impact
the Group. Individually or together, these risks could
affect our ability to operate as planned and could have
a significant impact on revenue and shareholder returns.
Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that
have not been identified to date or are currently deemed
immaterial, may also, individually, or together, have a
negative impact on our revenue, returns, or financial
condition. Each risk identified is subject to an assessment
incorporating the likelihood of occurrence and potential
impact on the Group. This assessment considers that
risks do not exist in isolation, and the relationships
between risks can increase the likelihood of occurrence
of a risk and influences the level of control and mitigations
needed to be put in place.
The Group’s Risk Register also includes any emerging
risks. Emerging risks are identified from areas of
uncertainty, which may not have a significant impact
on the business currently but may have the potential to
adversely affect the Group in the future. There is one
emerging risk in the current year relating to artificial
intelligence. Artificial intelligence is an emerging
technology with wide-ranging impacts for cyber and
data security, competition and third-party management
amongst other areas. Although it includes significant
crossover with existing risks the pervasiveness and
rapid pace of change warrants assessment on a
standalone basis.
The risk associated with the Group’s successful
execution of strategy is a new risk in the current year,
as we have moved forward from COVID-19, formally
repaid our debt facilities, and are focused on delivering
against the ambitious targets set in our 2022 Capital
Markets Day and sharing our targets at our 2025
Capital Market Day.
Financial risk has been removed as a principal risk.
We repaid our term loan facility in full during 2024 and
while there remains a certain level of foreign exchange
movement risk this is not material to the Group and no
longer represents a primary risk.
Following an assessment of the residual risk attached
after internal management and mitigation, each principal
risk outlined below has been assigned a direction of
change based on 2024 factors and forward expectations.
Risk
Trend
Strategic &
External Risk
Technological,
Cyber & Data Risk
Financial
Risk
Operational &
Regulatory Risk
Any external risks outside
of the Group’s control
impacting our business.
The systems we use
to power our business,
and the data we hold.
Integrity of reporting
and viability of the Group.
The processes and
people we use to power
the Hostelworld model.
Execution of strategy
ɿ
Artificial Intelligence
ʃ
Data Security
Cyber Security
ʄ
Macroeconomic
Conditions
Competition
Impact of
Uncontrollable Events
Platform Evolution
and Innovation
Marketing Optimisation
Taxation
People
Brand and Reputation
Third-party Reliance
Climate Change
and Sustainability
Regulation
Business Continuity
ɺ
Financial
RISK TREND
New
ɿ
Emerging
ʃ
Increasing
ʄ
Stable
ʂ
Decreasing
ɺ
Removed (due to reduced level of risk)
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1
Macroeconomic Conditions
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
The Group’s financial performance is largely dependent on the wider availability of, and demand
for, travel services.
Travel services are enabled by the freedom of movement of people nationally and internationally
without prohibitive restrictions. Moreover, it is supported by affordable air, ferry and train fares at
significant scale, and similarly good access to affordable accommodation.
The demand for travel services is influenced by a range of macroeconomic circumstances and
their impact on consumers discretionary spending levels. Economic activity, employment levels,
inflation, interest rates, currency movements and access to credit are among the factors that can
impact travel demand and patterns.
The Group has seen shifts in travel demand towards lower cost destinations resulting in lower
ABVs and a headwind for revenue growth.
Management
and Mitigation
Management and the Board regularly monitor a range of trading, market, and economic indicators
to determine any risk to financial performance due to macroeconomic uncertainties, and any
potential mitigating actions required.
The Group’s revenue and customer base is global, with a dispersed population of users, and
a geographically dispersed set of destinations. While market conditions may decline in certain
regions, the globally diversified nature of the business helps to mitigate this with circa 50% to
60% of destination markets in Europe versus the rest of the world.
Inflation rates can impact consumer discretionary spending and reduce their ability to travel.
However, this is potentially offset by continued preference of consumers to prioritise discretionary
spending on travel and leisure in their budgeting.
In circumstances where events cause a material decline in consumer travel behaviours and patterns
on a global scale, management will take necessary actions to reduce operating costs and
conserve cash.
2
Data Security
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
We’re an innovative technology group relying on advanced software and infrastructure, which means
we can be exposed to cyber security threats. Protecting our e-commerce data and customer
information is crucial.
Our hybrid model, global contractors, and evolving social strategy heighten data security challenges.
Cloud migration finished in 2022, but cloud security risks persist. Technological speed and legislation
gaps can complicate compliance with guidelines and laws. GDPR adherence and secure, scalable
IT platforms are vital.
Management
and Mitigation
Data protection is a priority for the Group. We comply with laws, regularly train employees, address
threats and support business innovation and growth.
We have a robust and comprehensive data privacy, security, and compliance programme. A supplier
is not onboarded until a rigorous review of their data protection compliance and IT security controls
has been carried out and deemed satisfactory.
We adhere to leading industry standards and are PCI compliant. A data protection framework
aligned with GDPR is maintained, with a Data Protection Officer, supported by employee champions.
Hybrid work risks are assessed, and security measures include single sign-on and multi-factor
authentication. Expert providers support us with cloud services and security. Our evolving social
strategy and broader product developments are implemented in line with privacy by design,
following guidelines and emerging innovations with a risk-based approach.
Direction
of change
The sophistication of bad actors continues to grow at rapid pace including their incorporation of
new methods based off advances in artificial intelligence. This poses an increased level of threat
to data security.
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Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
3 Cyber Security
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
The Group is susceptible to cyberattacks, which can impact system integrity and data security.
Hackers’ sophistication is constantly evolving, complicating risk management.
Cloud migration adds further cybersecurity challenges, potentially compromising customer and
proprietary data. Third-party vendors or contractors can also be entry points.
Inadequate skills internally might risk cloud data exposure and insurers could limit coverage for
cybersecurity incidents.
Management
and Mitigation
The Group dedicates significant resources to enhancing cyber security and regularly
increases expenditure.
A comprehensive risk programme manages vendor and third-party risks. Our procurement process
is robust, proactively ensuring new suppliers are security compliant.
Additional cyber security measures taken:
Monitoring tools enable real-time threat detection and response.
Policies and initiatives adapt to regulations and cyber threats.
Mandatory security awareness training is consistently updated.
Cloud-related training ensures skills are developed.
Multi-factor authentication is implemented for better access control and attack resilience.
Direction
of change
The continuous upward momentum in the cost of cybercrime shows that this risk is increasing. The
emergence of AI is a real threat to all organisations and will become commonplace in cyberattacks.
4 Competition
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
Competition risks could harm market share and growth. Competitors willing to operate at a loss
pose challenges. Price influences consumer decisions, requiring competitive pricing, discounts,
and flexible cancellation policies.
Competition might lead to losing key suppliers. Large market players and disruptive new entrants
pose risks. They may absorb revenue losses and/or additional costs to compete on price or bidding
strategy, their ability to grow core inventory base (both in terms of property count and destination
coverage), and their ability to enhance product features faster through depth of resources.
Changes in technology, such as AI or other, can impact the Group both positively and negatively.
Changing customer behaviour, such as preferring private rooms (as was seen during COVID-19),
could reduce demand or raise acquisition costs.
Exclusive supply to competitors, new Digital Markets Act regulations, and evolving market dynamics
may influence the competitive landscape and affect the Group’s positioning in the market.
Management
and Mitigation
Continuous monitoring of hostel coverage and market share guides the Group’s proactive
acquisition and retention strategy.
The Group’s strategy focuses on leveraging its unique market position through targeted customer
acquisition and optimising the profitability of existing customer cohorts, emphasising customer
lifetime value/customer acquisition cost.
There is a continued focus on improving platform flexibility, enhancing customer experience,
and global expansion.
Partnerships deliver advanced technology solutions, aiming to diversify from exclusive OTA reliance
with a broader experiential travel offering. Commercial agreements secure competitive rates and
inventory, utilising the “Solo System” and “social cues” to deter competition. The Group explores
AI and new distribution channels for customer acquisition and remains adaptable to market changes.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
5
Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’)
Emerging
ɿ
Description
and Impact
AI technology is rapidly evolving. The potential for AI-enabled attacks, such as social
engineering (e.g. voice simulation of senior executives) or algorithmic exploitation,
heightens cybersecurity challenges.
The adoption of AI-enabled tools by third-party vendors introduces risks of compromised integrity,
security vulnerabilities, or non-compliance with data privacy regulations. Compliance risks
include failure to meet obligations under the AI Act or GDPR, exposing the Group to regulatory
penalties or reputational harm.
Operational risks arise from potential biases, misuse, or over-reliance on AI tools, which could lead
to unsafe or unsuitable product features, competitive disadvantage, or erosion of customer trust.
AI also poses data risks regarding the improper use of proprietary data in AI models, risking
breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical business information.
Management
and Mitigation
Hostelworld prioritises cyber and data security in mitigating AI risks. AI tools are confined to secure
environments to ensure its integrity, as well as encryption and monitoring controls.
Tailored employee training on ethical and regulatory considerations of AI has been rolled out,
and the procurement process ensures supplier features meet perquisite confidentiality, integrity,
and availability standards.
AI features are deployed using a phased rollout approach, controlled safe to fail experiments,
and manual oversight to ensure responsible use. Human intervention remains central.
6
Execution of Strategy
New
Description
and Impact
The Group continues to pursue an ambitious growth strategy to deliver attractive sustainable returns
for shareholders. Delivering this strategy requires strong leadership, employee engagement,
investment and governance.
The Group operates in an intensely competitive global environment and there is a risk of loss in
market share to competitors or markets generally not performing in line with expected growth.
Management
and Mitigation
The Group’s Executive Leadership Team have clear ownership of the key activities driving our
growth strategy. Regular tracking of operational and financial performance takes place to ensure
progress is in line with targets.
Direct and indirect competitor activity and market performance is closely monitored which allows
the Group to respond quickly if required.
The Group’s focus on investment in its social network and strengthening relationships with hostel
partners ensures that it is well positioned in the marketplace.
7
Marketing Optimisation
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
A significant portion of our website traffic comes from search engines, both through organic and
paid searches. We rely on search engine optimisation and search engine marketing for visibility.
Search engine algorithms, like Google’s, constantly change, affecting our placement and costs.
AI-powered platforms are further influencing search results, making algorithm management and
optimisation crucial for our marketing strategy and efficiency.
Management
and Mitigation
The Group invests in skilled personnel for paid and non-paid searches. In-house expertise and
technology adapt to algorithm changes.
The search marketing team collaborates with Google, gaining search traffic efficiency insights.
Participation in alpha and beta tests give the Group first mover advantage with new functionality
that can help drive efficiency.
Skill enhancement through third-party vendors complements in-house capabilities for search
engine optimisation.
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Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
8
Platform Evolution and Innovation
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
Over recent years the ever-increasing pace of change of new technology, new infrastructure, and
new software offerings have changed how customers research, purchase, and experience travel.
Notable shift changes include AI, mobile networks, mobile applications, meta-search providers,
display advertising, and social communities.
Unless we continue to stay abreast of technology innovation and change, we risk becoming
irrelevant to the modern customer. Technology evolves rapidly, and updates can become
quickly obsolete.
As new products and features are offered the relevant cybersecurity controls must keep pace or
risk new exposures.
Management
and Mitigation
We focus on staying current with new trends in technology development and customer behaviour.
We invest a significant amount of our product and user experience functions on research and
development and interacting with similar companies both within and external to travel.
We leverage the capabilities of partnerships to ensure we are delivering best in class and the most
advanced tech-based solutions for our customers and hostel partners.
The Group has largely completed the modernisation of our underlying platform and now focuses
on continuously enhancing and optimising it to ensure it remains up to date and supports efficient
execution across our core platform.
9 People
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
The Group relies on attracting and retaining skilled, committed, and motivated employees for
strategic success.
The Group is dependent on key roles throughout all functions of the business to drive innovation,
ensure efficiency and deliver on the Group’s strategy. These tend to be specialist roles where
competition for talent is high.
The Group recognises the importance of meeting industry standards in our reward offering, to
keep attrition low and attract new talent.
Management
and Mitigation
The Group completes external salary benchmarking to ensure our reward offering is competitive
and focuses on constantly evolving people policies to ensure they meet the needs of our people.
To access larger talent pools, the Group continues to operate from three global offices and is
flexible on workforce locations that provide us with access to talent.
A Non-Executive Director fulfils a workforce engagement role as set out in the 2018 UK
Corporate Governance Code.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10 Brand and Reputation
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
Reduced brand marketing spending is likely to have impacted brand recognition and trust.
Attributing a clear return on investment to brand spend is challenging due to the intangible nature
of brand value, the difficulty of isolating brand spend and the complexity of customer journeys.
Cyberattacks and poor customer experiences (with our hostel partners and our services) pose
reputational risks.
False claims about diversity, equity and inclusion or sustainability could damage reputation.
Response to geopolitical developments and improper user actions could also affect brand integrity
and the business.
Artificial Intelligence offers opportunities and tools for Hostelworld but carries new and emerging
risks to brand and reputation.
Management
and Mitigation
The paid marketing teams focus on promoting the app and emphasising new social features.
Brand marketing sustains active owned channels, with added investment in social media content
creators, yielding increased engagement on TikTok and Instagram.
An ongoing CRM strategy integrates social features into the customer journey, while proactive
communication addresses emotive issues like the Ukraine war.
External PR advisors handle corporate incidents, and the crisis communications plan is updated
with their involvement.
Cybersecurity measures are robust, with a crisis plan adjusted to address potential attacks.
An ESG Steerco oversees sustainability, mitigating risks through third parties.
Customer service ensures positive experiences, backed by a crisis management policy. In-app
social features include terms, a code of conduct, and automated moderation for user-reported
inappropriate behaviour.
Our IT and procurement policies as well as our legal frameworks are reviewed and updated regularly.
11 Third-party Reliance
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
We rely on hostel accommodation providers to supply us with our inventory. Any constraints upon
the supply of hostel inventory may stem growth ambitions.
Revenue depends on connected hostels and third-party channels; lack of updates or outages may
cause competitiveness loss.
Financial pressures on partners risk business closure or category shift.
Relying on third parties for systems poses revenue and functionality risks, affecting customer
service and brand.
Maintaining relationships with payment processors is crucial, as fee changes or unfavourable terms
could impact transactions.
Management
and Mitigation
Nurturing hostel and vendor relationships is a priority. This close cooperation enables us to monitor
market development.
Rigorous assessment and due diligence are applied to third-party providers. All vendor contracts
and purchasing requests must be processed through the Group’s purchasing and contract
review process.
Service providers are contractually obliged to provide timely resolutions to issues. Alerts are in place
to immediately capture any downtime and replicate as much functionality as possible in-house.
Annual business reviews and contractual obligations ensure risk mitigation. Readiness for partner/
service provider failure includes financial health monitoring and risk reduction measures.
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Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
12 Climate Change and Sustainability
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
Internal and external stakeholders are focused on the accountability of the Group to climate change.
There is a risk of brand damage if we do not meet these expectations regarding our sustainability
strategy, target setting and actions taken. Meeting our targets introduces a financial cost for
increasing pricing for climate investments.
There is an onus on the Group for enhancing reporting obligations and a risk that the Group is
perceived as not being transparent in its external reporting.
Changing customer attitudes to travel, any limits placed on travel (e.g. flight carbon pricing) or
physical climate change risks such as extreme weather events can impact revenue and profitability.
Management
and Mitigation
The ESG Steercos govern the actions taken by the Group in relation to climate change. The Steerco
receives specific training from a third-party provider, engage with third parties’ specialists for
additional support where required and monitor areas of compliance. The Steerco engage with
stakeholders to assess their expectations and publish targets annually.
We have committed resources internally to assisting hostels and consumers on their own
sustainability journeys.
Climate change issues may impact travel decisions and travel patterns by customers but is mitigated
to the extent that our business is a global one. We have a dispersed population of users, and a
geographically dispersed set of destinations.
13 Impact of Uncontrollable Events
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
The Group is exposed to uncontrollable events which may have negative impacts, which by their
nature are unpredictable and outside of its control.
Economic and political factors including instability and changes to laws on travel and trade could
adversely impact the demand for travel and in turn impact our operational results and profitability.
Deterioration in the financial condition, restructuring of operations or limited resource availability
of one or more key stakeholder in our supply chain eco-system could impact our growth.
The threat of terrorist attacks in key cities and on aircraft in flight may reduce the appetite of the
leisure traveller to undertake trips, particularly to certain geographies, resulting in declining revenues.
Geopolitical conflicts, climate change, natural disasters, or other adverse events outside of the
control of the Group may also reduce demand for or prevent the ability to travel to affected regions.
Management
and Mitigation
Our target 18-34
-year-old population tend to be flexible as to destination and are less risk adverse.
Their trips tend to be a ‘rite of passage’ rather than a more discretionary or optional vacation
resulting in less aversion to these risks and more flexibility in configuring trips around restrictions.
We maintain a close working relationship with our hostel partners to ensure we monitor key
developments in the market and can take timely mitigating actions if necessary.
Risk assessment and due diligence controls are carried out by our dedicated procurement function
and relevant business owner in respect of each third-party provider.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
14 Regulation
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
The Group faces regulatory and legal challenges in its global operations. We are exposed to issues
regarding competition, licensing of local accommodation and experiences, language usage,
web-based trading, consumer compliance, tax, intellectual property, trademarks, data protection
and information security and commercial disputes in multiple jurisdictions.
Sustainability related legislation place an onus on the Group to disclose its compliance. The Group
needs to stay aware of all future regulation and policy changes within sustainability.
The Group is subject to various regulations, including payment card association rules, the EU
Package Travel Directive, and rules on cookies usage (impacted by GDPR and ePrivacy Directive).
The Digital Services Act also imposes content moderation and transparency obligations.
Increased scrutiny of the mechanisms to transfer personal data to third countries in relation
to the EU-US Privacy Shield and Standard Contractual Clauses create uncertainty in relation to
international transfers of personal data.
The California Privacy Rights Act introduces new privacy requirements. Sign-up regulations, like
DAC 7 EU Tax directive, may slow operations, impact property categorisations, and result in closures
due to changing local laws. Ongoing legal developments pose potential constraints, compliance
costs, and business harm for the Group.
Management
and Mitigation
The legal team keeps abreast of current and anticipated legal requirements and consult with external
legal advisors on territory specific legal and regulatory issues.
Qualified and experienced in-house lawyers ensure consumer compliance, listing rules, governance
code, and Market Abuse Regulations adherence.
TCFD governance structure and third-party monitoring ensure compliance with climate changes.
External insurance brokers are appointed to optimise insurance terms reflecting industry standards.
Payment options are expanded for customer efficiency.
The Digital Services Act is carefully reviewed, and processes are updated for social functionality
and customer reviews.
Continuous reviews address online safety, media regulations, and evolving data protection
legislation in the wider legal framework.
15 Business Continuity
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
IT system failures, including third-party services, could disrupt bookings, payments, and
administrative services.
Weakness in business continuity planning (“BCP”) may lead to major service disruption. Technology
may quickly become outdated posing reliability, security, and feature delivery challenges.
Sole reliance on one cloud provider region risks business impact from data centre outages.
Management
and Mitigation
The Group’s BCP prioritises e-commerce operations, backed by external advisors’ disaster
recovery plans.
Modernisation and cloud transition enhance resilience.
Robust supplier terms cover force majeure and BCP. Successful COVID-19 response validates
BCP and backup systems, which are reviewed periodically for relevance and effectiveness.
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Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
16 Taxation
Direction of Change
Description
and Impact
Indirect taxes are an ongoing area of focus with complexity on different regimes and rules in place
in countries where the Group does business. Measures introduced include digital services taxes
to address multinational businesses operating without a physical presence in Europe, and platform
reporting which requires digital platform operators to collect and report information on sellers, with
penalties and potential lost revenue for non-compliance. There is a risk that the Group does not
stay ahead of compliance in all jurisdictions in which it operates. In addition, changes in tax
legislation such as the European Commission’s proposals in relation to VAT in the Digital Age,
interpretations, or OECD recommendations may expose the Group to additional tax liabilities.
Due to the global workforce footprint of the Group, a tax authority may consider a permanent
establishment to exist in a country by virtue of some activity being carried on there.
Key functions, assets or risks undertaken/managed outside of Ireland may cause tax leakage. If
tax authorities take a different view than the Group as to the basis on which the Group is subject
to tax, it could result in the Group having to account for tax that it currently does not pay. This
may increase the Group’s effective tax rate, increase tax cash outflows, and increase the costs
associated with tax compliance.
Management
and Mitigation
Tax risk management involves qualified personnel and collaboration with reputable external tax
advisors. Regular assessments, briefings to the Board, and biannual reviews with advisors, address
tax impacts and legislative changes.
Monitoring the global footprint includes implementing the relevant tax structures and enforcing
a strict work-from-abroad policy.
Key function locations are approved, and transfer pricing policies align accordingly, demonstrating
proactive tax risk mitigation strategies.
The Yard Hostel, Bangkok, Thailand
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Viability Statement
In accordance with the provisions of the Code, the
Directors have assessed the viability of the Group and
its prospects in meeting its liabilities.
The assessment is based on the Group’s current financial
position, the Group’s strategy and the potential impact
that principal risks and uncertainties outlined on pages
62 to 72 may have, and includes emerging risks. The
financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity
position and debt facilities are outlined in the CFO
report on pages 26 to 29. The Group’s strategy is set
out throughout the Strategic Report.
Assessment of Viability Period:
We have based our assessment on a three-year period
to 31 December 2027. The Directors concluded that
three years was an appropriate period, balancing the
ability to assess future prospects with the uncertainties
inherent in making longer-term predictions.
Approach to assessment –
Scenario Modelling:
In our assessment of viability we have based a
number of scenarios upon the Group’s principal risks
and uncertainties, and we applied these to the Board
approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook.
Those risks, that represent severe but plausible
scenarios, have been modelled as follows:
Risk Area
Scenario
Macroeconomic
Conditions
Impact of
Uncontrollable Events
An extended travel disruption from events outside of the Group’s control including
geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters, macroeconomic impacts, or other adverse events.
Data Security
Cyber Security
Artificial Intelligence
Brand and Reputation
Regulation
The impact of the most severe repercussion from any of these risk areas –
a data security related GDPR fine and the resultant impact on our reputation.
Climate Change and
Sustainability
The impact that climate change may have on bookings and revenue modelled
as the closure of European hostels through peak summer trading, an extreme
and unrealistic scenario in reality.
The scenarios are designed to allow the Group to
review the maximum impact that a risk may have, and
how the Group’s viability may be impacted. There are
controls and monitoring processes in place to allow us
to observe the likelihood of these scenarios occurring
and take action to mitigate their impact as required.
Mitigating measures that can be taken include availing
of debt facilities or reducing capital expenditure. The
Group also maintain full flexibility over our largest cost
base, marketing costs, to match these to demand.
Under each scenario the Directors are satisfied that
sufficient financial headroom exists to address the
potential negative impacts arising.
Conclusion
Having considered these stressed scenarios the
Directors assessed the prospects and viability of the
Group in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance
Code requirements.
The Directors confirm that they have a reasonable
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over
the three-year period to 31 December 2027. By using
available resources, managing spend, and utilising the
Group’s experience of managing trading through
COVID-19, the Directors have concluded that in all
scenarios applied the Group would be capable of
managing the potential impact on the business and
remain a viable going concern.
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Free Cerveza, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Section 172 – Statement of Compliance –
s172 (1) of the Companies Act 2006
Maintaining Strong Relationships with our Stakeholders
The Directors are required to act in accordance with a set of general duties which include a duty under Section
172(1) of the UK Companies Act 2006 to promote the success of the Company. In so doing, the Directors are
required to have regard to certain stakeholders and to:
The likely consequences of any decisions in the long term.
The interests of the Group’s employees.
The need to foster the Group’s business relationships with suppliers, customers, and others.
The impact of the Group’s operations on the community and environment.
The desirability of the Group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct.
The need to act fairly between shareholders.
This statement is intended to explain how the Board has met this requirement in its decision-making process over
the course of the reporting term.
Transparent Engagement
The Company aims to have transparent two-way relationships with the following six key stakeholder groups.
Our
People
Customers
Hostel
Partners
Shareholders
Lender
Communities
and Society
By considering their perspectives and views in the ways we explain below, the Company seeks to ensure that
business decisions are balanced and informed.
Adra Hostel, Antigua, Guatemala
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Why we engage
People are at the core of our business and critical to delivering against our strategy. Regular and meaningful engagement
with our people increases motivation and drives high performance across the business. Risks to delivering on our strategic
objectives materially increase if our people are not engaged or if we cannot attract and retain key talent to deliver on our
strategy. With significant involvement from our people, we aim to create an inclusive culture where diversity is valued and
different perspectives contribute to informed decision making.
How the Company engages
Workforce engagement surveys to understand the employees experience in Hostelworld
Bi-weekly virtual townhalls for all our people where the CEO updates on trading, the Chief People Officer updates on
workforce welfare initiatives, and the Executive Leadership Team facilitate an open forum Q&A
Workforce engagement forums hosted by Evan Cohen in his capacity as the Non-Executive Director with responsibility
for workforce engagement
How the Board considers our people’s interests
Evan Cohen, in his capacity as the Non-Executive Director with responsibility for workforce engagement, regularly
shares and discusses at Board meetings the details of the discussions from the workforce engagement forums
Sessions on different aspects of Company culture, values and behaviours at Board meetings with specific oversight on
progress on employee wellbeing programmes and culture related initiatives
Virtual fireside chat between the CEO and the new Chairman in October 2024, followed by a Q&A session for attendees
A ‘People and Organisation/Culture’ update provided by the Chief People Officer (or by the Chief Executive Officer in
his absence) at the majority of scheduled Board meetings
Attendance of different members of the Executive Leadership Team members at the majority of scheduled Board meetings
What our people told us was important to them
Learning and development programmes
Compensation and benefits
Delivery of strategy and developing new business growth initiatives
Progressing ESG and IE&D initiatives
A positive and empowering Company culture
Transparent communication
Measurement
Employee survey results and response rates
New hire surveys, employee turnover data and exit interviews
Feedback from the Non-Executive Director responsible for workforce engagement
Complaints made by our people under the Group’s Disciplinary and Grievance Policy
Issues reported through the Group’s anonymous Whistleblowing service
Outcome of engagement
The Board supported an average salary increase for 2024 of 6.3% for people below Executive Director and Executive
Leadership Team level
Board support for investment proposals to enhance learning and development programmes
Monthly people update emails sent to keep employees updated on what is happening in Hostelworld (including IE&D
and ESG updates)
Ongoing Board oversight of the Group’s culture at Board meetings throughout 2024
Board oversight and approval of the Group’s ‘Culture Code’
Employee celebrations for Pride Month, International Men’s Day, International Women’s Day and participation in annual
IE&D training
Employees took part in a STEM focused charity initiative with Teen-Turn and availed of 346 volunteering hours in total
across the year
Focus on implementation of our ESG strategy, including implementation of the ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework
for our hostel partners
Section 172 – Statement of Compliance –
s172 (1) of the Companies Act 2006
continued
Our People
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Why we engage
Engaging with and acting in the interests of our traveller customers is essential to the long-term growth and success of
the business. Without traveller customers our business would not exist, and understanding their motivations and
behaviours forms the foundation of our strategy. Accordingly, it is vital that we continuously engage with our customers
to make sure we are providing them with competitively priced products and services which are relevant to them in a way
that establishes and maintains ongoing loyalty to the Hostelworld brand.
How the Company engages
Emails and in-product surveys are sent to customers at critical stages of their booking journey to gather feedback and
understand any problems they may be experiencing
Use of social media platforms (TikTok and Instagram) for engagement with our online communities
A dedicated customer support team. All significant customer support tickets and feedback submissions are reviewed
by senior managers to ensure issues are actioned effectively
Remote user interviews and surveys are sent to customers to evaluate new product concepts
Research studies are conducted for feedback on newly developed features and enhancements made to the Group’s
booking platform
How the Board considers customer interests
Significant focus on customers at Board meetings, with updates at each scheduled Board meeting on planned product
enhancements and alignment between the Group’s product and technology strategy and customer requirements and trends
Review of the results of surveys and engagements with customers and customer complaint resolution KPI results
Weekly updates provided by the CFO on booking trends and patterns, which allows the Board to react to customer
behaviours and informs future initiatives
Updates provided by the CFO in her capacity as Chair of the ESG Steering Committee at each scheduled Board meeting
ensure customer insights on sustainability are clearly understood
Audit Committee review of reports from the Group’s DPO on the Group’s customer privacy compliance programmes
and activities
What our customers told us was important to them
Continuous improvement of the Group’s booking platform and social features
Social features (of particular relevance for solo travellers)
Enhanced profiles of users who have opted in to use the Group’s social features to enable connections with like-minded
people when they are travelling
Advice and tips on activities, dining, and travel itineraries for their trips
Respect for their data privacy rights and reactive and responsive customer support when it’s needed
Measurement
Customer questionnaires and surveys
Quantitative and qualitative research into various customer segments (including demographics, purchasing behaviour,
product use, attitudes, and interests)
Bookings completed and bookings initiated but not completed by the customer
Hostelworld market share and engagement rate of Hostelworld social media channels with customers
Implementation of personal data deletion requests received from customers in accordance with GDPR obligations and
resolution of customer complaints within specified timeframes
Outcome of engagement
Incorporation in technology roadmap of product and social feature enhancements
Launch of additional profile fields to help travellers using the Group’s social features connect with like-minded people
Enhancement of platform security measures to protect privacy rights and 100% of personal data deletion requests from
customers implemented in accordance with GDPR obligations
Customer service that meets the needs of customers with increased Trust Pilot scores in 2024 through investment in
the Group’s customer support offering
Continued partnership with Cloverly to allow customers to take responsibility for their accommodation-based emissions
Continued Board support for investment in innovative product and technology projects designed to make it easier for
customers to use the Group’s social features
Customers
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Section 172 – Statement of Compliance –
s172 (1) of the Companies Act 2006
continued
Why we engage
Hostel partners are the cornerstone of the Group’s business. Without them, the Group would not exist. Fostering and
maintaining strong, trusted relationship with our hostel partners is fundamental to delivering the Group’s strategic goals
and the long-term success of Hostelworld. Only through working collaboratively with our hostel partners can we provide
access to thousands of unique hostels across the globe and deliver on our mission and purpose.
How the Company engages
Regular performance improvement meetings with key hostel partners
Increased in-country presence of hostel focused market managers in Brazil and Colombia
Hostel conferences held in Chiang Mai in May 2024, Copenhagen in September 2024 and Mexico City in November 2024
attended by the CEO, Chief Supply Officer and other key senior executives from across the business
Detailed surveys sent to hostel conference attendees before and following each conference event to ensure hostel
partner views are shared with the Group
Regional hostel partner events, in-market visits and attendance at third party events globally. 20 webinars for hostel
partners hosted in 2024 (approximately 850 hostels represented) with interactive Q&A sessions and follow up surveys
How the Board considers hostel partners’ interests
The Chief Supply Officer (or, in his absence, the Chief Executive Officer) provides the Board with a detailed update on
hostel inventory supply matters and projects related to hostel partners as a standing agenda item at each scheduled
Board meeting
The Board received regular updates on the key strategic initiative of increasing in-country presence and market visits
by members of the Group’s Global Markets Team
The Board received updates from the CEO and Chief Supply Officer from hostel conferences in Chiang Mai,
Copenhagen and Mexico City
The CEO conducts weekly operational meetings with the Chief Supply Officer and his leadership team to assess
performance against key hostel partner operational KPIs
The Board provide oversight of the Group’s ESG roadmap, focused primarily on the implementation of the ‘Staircase
to Sustainability’ framework for hostel partners
The Audit Committee review procedures in place to safeguard both the Group and hostel partners from fraud
What our hostel partners told us was important to them
Growth opportunities and product strategy alignment
Continued support from Hostelworld on their sustainability journeys and promotion of hostelling as a sustainable
solution for the environmentally conscious customer
Investment in the Groups technology modernisation programme to deliver improved features and tools for hostel partners
A secure and stable booking platform with minimal technical disruption
Booking management improvements to digitise and automate manual tasks for hostels
Streamlining of hostel partner sign up and onboarding process for new hostel partners
Measurement
Hostel partner inventory growth and new activations
Net competitiveness score and questionnaires and surveys
Hostelworld support satisfaction scores and customer support net promoter score
Contractual disputes
Outcome of engagement
Deployed a new streamlined onboarding process for new hostel partner (reducing activation time and increasing efficiency)
Redesign of the user interface for hostel partners and customers to enhance the booking experience
Implementation of automated features to remove manual tasks for hostel partner staff
Ongoing assessment and alignment of the Group’s technology roadmap with key hostel partner product
enhancement requests
Global release of the Group’s ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework for hostel partners
Three Responsible Travel Award categories within our HOSCAR programme, and continued work on promoting hostel
‘sustainability stories’ on the Group’s social media channels
Enhancement of platform security measures to protect privacy rights
No contractual disputes with hostel partners during the reporting period
Hostel Partners
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Why we engage
Our shareholders are the owners of the business. Having a clear understanding of our strategy and financial and
operational performance helps ensure they can fully assess the value of their investment and the risks and opportunities
of investing in the Company.
How the Company engages
Regular engagement between key investors and the CEO and CFO through investor relations programme of events
Participation in investor conferences such as the Canaccord Genuity Annual Growth Conference in August 2024 and
the Goodbody Equity Conference in November 2024
Annual and interim results presentations
Regular trading updates announced on regulatory platforms
How the Board considers shareholders’ interests
The Board’s primary contact with shareholders is through the CEO and CFO, who maintain regular contact with shareholders
with the support of the Group’s Head of Investor Relations (the Chairman and other members of the Board are available
to meet with shareholders as requested)
Direct engagement with major shareholders conducted by the new Chairman following his appointment in October 2024
to understand their views on performance against strategy, capital allocation and other matters
The Board is provided with investor relations report by the CFO at each scheduled Board meeting
In-depth investor feedback is collated after each roadshow and trading update and provided to the Board
Carl G. Shepherd, the Senior Independent Director and then Chair of the Remuneration Committee, engaged directly
with major shareholders in early 2024 regarding executive remuneration and the new remuneration policy put before
shareholders at the Company’s AGM in May 2024 and updated the Board on their views
Attendance at the AGM in May 2024, including responding to questions from shareholders
Views and perspectives of the Company’s major shareholders on capital allocation were assessed by Deutsche Numis
and presented to the Board by the CFO
What shareholders told us was important
Execution of the Group’s strategy and delivery against financial targets
The Group’s capital allocation policy following voluntary early repayment of the Group’s bank debt facility with AIB, plc
Share price performance
Executive and workforce remuneration
ESG and sustainability reporting
Talent management and succession planning
Clear and transparent communications
Measurement
Financial performance
Changes in investor shareholdings
The Company’s share price performance
AGM voting outcomes
Outcome of engagement
Strong shareholder support and approval of 2024 AGM resolutions (no shareholder votes with less than 80% support)
98% votes in favour of the new Remuneration Policy put before shareholders at the 2024 AGM (following consultation
with shareholders)
Voluntary and early repayment of AIB debt
Engagement with shareholders throughout 2024 on performance against the Group’s financial and strategic KPIs
Continued development of the Group’s sustainability and ESG strategy as set out on pages 42 to 61
Implementation of succession plans for the new Chairman, new Remuneration Committee Chair, ongoing succession
planning for Board roles and Executive Leadership Team, and identifying future senior leaders of the business
Shareholders
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Why we engage
In June 2024 we voluntarily repaid our debt facilities with AIB without incurring early repayment penalties. We believe
that active involvement and interaction with AIB enhances and builds trust and promotes an effective long-term
relationship between AIB and the Group. Having a collaborative relationship with AIB ensures that the Group is in a
position to more effectively consider longer term strategic objectives which may involve the Group incurring debt.
How the Company engages
Regular financial reporting and covenant compliance reporting documents (to the date of the final repayment in June
2024)
Regular contact and quarterly meetings regarding the ongoing performance of the Group
Discussions regarding the use of the debt facilities and utilisation (to the date of the June 2024 repayment)
Discussions regarding the ongoing synergies between sustainability objectives of both AIB and Hostelworld
How the Board considers AIB’s interests
Covenant compliance ratios and AIB debt balances were reported to the Board through updates from the CFO (to the
date of the June 2024 repayment)
The CFO maintains an executive relationship with the senior AIB account manager and oversaw covenant compliance
to the date of the June 2024 repayment
What AIB told us was important
Financial performance of the Group and transparent compliance reporting
Trust and confidence between AIB and the Group to ensure a mutually beneficial long-term relationship
The Group’s approach to sustainability
Measurement
Covenant compliance ratios
Financial performance data
Sustainability performance data
Outcome of engagement
Effective and transparent processes to demonstrate the Group’s covenant compliance
AIB understand the Group’s financial performance
AIB understand the Group’s strategy and possible future capital requirements
Common sustainability goals understood and ongoing discussions to leverage these aligned goals
Section 172 – Statement of Compliance –
s172 (1) of the Companies Act 2006
continued
Lender (Allied Irish Banks, plc)
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Why we engage
We can play our part in building a more inclusive society through supporting IE&D in our business, implementing our
sustainability objectives, and operating our business in a conscientious and compliant manner that respects the views of
our staff, stakeholders and the communities we operate in.
How the Company engages
Our ESG strategy captures the Company’s environmental and social impact
Paid volunteering days are provided to employees to allow our people support their local communities and charity
initiatives
Ensuring our surveys with stakeholders include questions on ESG, sustainability and our role in the community
How the Board considers these interests
Board oversight of the Group’s ongoing implementation of its sustainability and ESG programmes, and review of
compliance of the Group’s sustainability reporting requirements
The CFO is Chairperson of the ESG Steering Committee and updates the Board at each scheduled Board meeting on
progress against ESG KPIs
Board oversight of the ongoing programme to ensure IE&D are integral parts of the Group’s culture
The Board review benchmarking of employee salaries to ensure fair compensation
Remuneration Committee consideration of executive compensation and how it aligns with pay practices for other staff
What community stakeholders told us was important
IE&D
Continuing to play our part in promoting fairness in society by providing employment opportunities in areas where we
have our operations and paying people fairly
The environmental impact of our business
Measurement
Carbon emissions
Progress against sustainability targets
Charitable contributions that the Company and our people make, number of volunteering hours availed of by
colleagues, and number of wellbeing days taken by staff
Alignment between executive compensation and pay practices for all other staff
Outcome of engagement
346 volunteering hours availed of in 2024 with a focus on charitable initiatives
Partnered with Irish STEM charity Teen-turn on their ‘Learn to Earn’ programme, with two eight-week internships for
third level students and five two-week internships for secondary school students
Provided employment and work experience opportunities
Implementation of our ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework
Offered three wellbeing days a year to all employees
Commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040 (became a signatory to the Climate Pledge in 2023)
Investment in training in IE&D
Communities and Society
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Board Decision Making In Practice from a Section 172(1) Perspective
The Board considers principal decisions to be those decisions which involve significant long-term implications and
consequences for the Company and/or its stakeholders. Below are some examples of principal Board decisions
taken during 2024 and how the Directors took stakeholder views into account in accordance with their duties
under Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006.
Appointment of Future Board Chair and Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair
Principal Stakeholders: Shareholders and workforce
s. 172 considerations: Long-term consequences and interest of employees
During 2024 the Board approved recommendations from the Nomination Committee in respect of the appointment of
Ulrik Bengtsson as Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate of the Board and Paul Duffy as Non-Executive Director
and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. Given the accomplished records of both Ulrik and Paul in delivering strategic
goals in growth focused businesses where they served in executive capacities, the appointments support the ability of the
Group to increase shareholder value over the coming years by delivering on its objectives and demonstrated the Board’s
commitment to developing, attracting and retaining key talent for the long-term. In addition, Hostelworld colleagues will
benefit from having a strong Board in place focused on long-term value creation for all stakeholders.
Early Debt Repayment
Principal Stakeholders: AIB, shareholders and workforce
s. 172 considerations: Long-term consequences and interest of employees
The Board approved the voluntary early repayment of the outstanding debt owed to AIB under a three-year term loan facility
agreed with AIB in May 2023. The Board considered the likely long-term consequences of the decision to complete the
early debt repayment and agreed that deleveraging the balance sheet and increasing the liquidity profile of the Group would
support the Group’s ability to execute against its key longer term strategic objectives. As part of its considerations, the
Board agreed that the early repayment of the debt would demonstrate to all stakeholders and to other potential future lenders
that the Group had established a firm growth foundation enabling it to successfully execute its strategic objectives.
Section 172 – Statement of Compliance –
s172 (1) of the Companies Act 2006
continued
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Review of Opportunities to Accelerate the Group’s Growth Strategy
Principal Stakeholders: Shareholders, workforce, hostel partners and traveller customers
s. 172 considerations: Long-term consequences, interests of employees and fostering relationships with suppliers,
customers and others
With support from the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Executive Officer reviewed and assessed the Group’s strategy
resulting in the identification of strategic priorities to accelerate and deliver the next phase of business growth for Hostelworld
(see further details set out within the Chief Executive Officer’s Review on pages 19 to 22). This review is ongoing with the
initial assessment reviewed by the Board at a number of Board meetings in the latter part of 2024.
The finalisation and future execution of our strategy was assessed by the Board as positively benefiting a number of
stakeholders; the strategy has at its core the interests and requirements of our traveller customers and hostel partners,
our people will benefit from enhanced career opportunities and compensation rewards in a growth business, and our
shareholders are anticipated to benefit from an increased return on their investments.
Dividend Payment/ Capital Allocation Policy
Principal Stakeholders: Shareholders
s. 172 considerations: Acting fairly between shareholders, long-term consequences
The Board is aware of the importance of returning value to shareholders and the importance to shareholders of communicating
its capital allocation plans into the future. The issue of returning value to shareholders and assessing the appropriate time
to make dividend payments was again a key issue considered by the Board during 2024. Feedback received from shareholders
following the early repayment of the Group’s AIB debt commitment in June 2024 indicated differing shareholder views on
the timing and appropriateness of the Company paying dividends. The Board is, accordingly, aware that there are various
competing factors which need to be considered in the context of capital allocation decisions. Following its assessment of
this issue, the Board, acting fairly between members who had expressed different views, confirmed that the payment of
dividends would not currently be in the best interests of the business which would be better served by a continued focus
on its liquidity position to enable the execution of the Group’s strategic growth plans. Noting the feedback received from
shareholders on their expectations for further clarity on the Board’s views on capital allocation, the Board agreed to provide
a capital allocation update to shareholders in the early part of 2025.
Caracola Boutique Hostel, El Paredon, Guatemala
Bunks at Rode, Oslo, Norway
86
Directors’ Biographies
90
Corporate Governance Report
107
Nomination Committee Report
117
Audit Committee Report
125
Remuneration Committee Report
146
Directors’ Report and Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
Governance
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Directors’ Biographies
Ulrik Bengtsson
N
C
R
Non-Executive Chairman
INDEPENDENT
Yes
APPOINTED
02 May 2024
(1)
BOARD TENURE
10 months
SKILLS &
EXPERTISE
Experienced Non-Executive Director with extensive online platform and
digital consumer services experience.
EXPERIENCE
Former Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Virgin
Media O2, CEO and Executive Director of William Hill plc, former CEO of
Betsson Group, and CEO with Emerging Markets and Swedish divisions of
Viasat Broadcasting.
KEY EXTERNAL
APPOINTMENTS
Chair of the Board and Remuneration Committee of Raketech Group Holding
plc and Chair of the Board of City Gaming Holdings Group (Game Nation).
Gary Morrison
D
C
Chief Executive Officer
INDEPENDENT
No
APPOINTED
11 June 2018
BOARD TENURE
6 years 9 months
SKILLS &
EXPERTISE
Extensive knowledge of the online travel industry and significant
experience in technology and telecommunications.
EXPERIENCE
Former Senior Vice President and Head of Retail for Expedia, former
Director of Despegar (NYSE DESP), AirAsiaExpedia and Voyages SNCF.
Former Head of Global Sales Operations for Google’s Online Sales
Channel and Motorola as VP and Head of Product Management for
Motorola’s Smartphone, consulting and engineering roles at General
Electric, Booz Allen and Hamilton and Schlumberger France.
KEY EXTERNAL
APPOINTMENTS
None
Caroline Sherry
D
Chief Financial Officer
INDEPENDENT
No
APPOINTED
01 December 2020
BOARD TENURE
4 years 3 months
SKILLS &
EXPERTISE
Significant finance, sustainability, management and strategic experience.
EXPERIENCE
Former Financial Controller at Hostelworld Group plc, Director of Financial
Planning and Analysis for Glanbia plc’s Performance Nutrition division and
held numerous strategic and commercial finance roles held at Ulster Bank
Group. Chair of ESG Steerco at Hostelworld.
KEY EXTERNAL
APPOINTMENTS
None
(1)
Ulrik Bengtsson was appointed Chairman of the Company and Chairman of the Nomination Committee on 10 October 2024, having joined the Board as a
Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate in May 2024.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Éimear Moloney
A
C
N
R
Non-Executive Director
INDEPENDENT
Yes
APPOINTED
27 November 2017
BOARD TENURE
7 years 3 months
SKILLS &
EXPERTISE
Detailed knowledge and experience of capital markets and asset
management, extensive financial and board governance experience and
valued compliance experience.
EXPERIENCE
Former senior investment manager roles in Zurich Life Assurance (Irl) plc,
senior positions with Bankers Trust Funds Management Ltd in Australia
and with Crowe Horwath Chartered Accountants. Former Non-Executive
Director at Yew Grove Reit plc.
KEY EXTERNAL
APPOINTMENTS
Non-Executive Director, Remuneration Committee member and Audit
Committee member of Kingspan Group plc, Non-Executive Director,
Audit Committee Chair, Remuneration Committee member, and Nomination
Committee member of Irish Continental Group plc, Non-Executive Director
of Chanelle Pharmaceuticals Group
(2)
, and Non-Executive Director of the
Mater Misericordiae And The Children’s University Hospitals CLG
(3)
.
Evan Cohen
A
N
R
Non-Executive Director
INDEPENDENT
Yes
APPOINTED
14 August 2019
BOARD TENURE
5 years 7 months
SKILLS &
EXPERTISE
Extensive knowledge of technology and media business.
EXPERIENCE
Former Regional Director for Lyft’s US East Coast business, Chief Operating
Officer at Foursquare and senior strategic consulting and operational roles
at Bebo, Jupiter and MTM.
KEY EXTERNAL
APPOINTMENTS
None.
(2)
Directorship ended 03 April 2024
(3)
Appointed 06 June 2024
Key
A
member of the Audit Committee
D
member of the Disclosure Committee
N
member of the Nomination Committee
R
member of the Remuneration Committee
C
indicates Chair of Committee
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Directors’ Biographies
continued
Paul Duffy
A
N
R
C
(4)
Non-Executive Director
INDEPENDENT
Yes
APPOINTED
02 May 2024
BOARD TENURE
10 months
SKILLS &
EXPERTISE
Experienced Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with extensive
knowledge of the consumer and leisure industry and significant strategic
and brand experience.
EXPERIENCE
Former Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America and Director
of Corby Spirit and Wine Limited listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
KEY EXTERNAL
APPOINTMENTS
Non-Executive Director, Audit Committee Chair, Remuneration Committee
member, Development Committee member and Nomination and
Governance Committee member at Glanbia plc, Non-Executive Director of
W.A. Baxter & Sons and Chairman of the Irish Children’s Museum CLG.
Carl G. Shepherd
A
N
R
(5)
Non-Executive Director
INDEPENDENT
Yes
APPOINTED
01 October 2017
BOARD TENURE
7 years 5 months
SKILLS &
EXPERTISE
In-depth experience in the online travel industry.
EXPERIENCE
Co-founder, founding Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategic and
Development Officer of HomeAway Inc, previous Chief Operating Officer
and Chief Development Officer of Hoover’s Online, former board member
of Turnkey Vacation Rentals, Inc., and Edge Retreats.
KEY EXTERNAL
APPOINTMENTS
None
(4)
Chair of the Remuneration Committee on appointment on 02 May 2024
(5)
Chair of the Remuneration Committee until 02 May 2024, Carl G. Shepherd
remains a member of the Remuneration Committee
Key
A
member of the Audit Committee
D
member of the Disclosure Committee
N
member of the Nomination Committee
R
member of the Remuneration Committee
C
indicates Chair of committee
1 to 3 years: 40%
3 to 6 years: 20%
6 to 9 years: 40%
Board Tenure
(Non-Executive Directors only)
Male (5): 71%
Female (2): 29%
Gender Diversity
Board Composition
Non-Executive Directors: 5 (71%)
Ulrik Bengtsson, Éimear Moloney,
Paul Duffy, Evan Cohen,
Carl G. Shepherd
Executive Directors: 2 (29%)
Gary Morrison, Caroline Sherry
Ireland: 57%
Éimear Moloney, Paul Duffy,
Gary Morrison, Caroline Sherry
United Kingdom: 14%
Ulrik Bengtsson
United States: 29%
Evan Cohen, Carl G. Shepherd
Geographic Location
Board Tenure
(in aggregate)
1 to 3 years: 28.5%
3 to 6 years: 28.5%
6 to 9 years: 43%
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Board Composition Dashboard
as of 19 March 2025
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Corporate Governance Report
Chairman’s Introduction
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to introduce our Corporate Governance
Report for the year ended 31 December 2024. In doing so I must give particular
thanks to Michael Cawley, as Chairman of the Board until 10 October 2024, for
the support and guidance he gave me before I became Chairman in October last,
and for the legacy of strong corporate governance at Hostelworld that he passes
on to me. The firmly embedded culture of strong governance within Hostelworld
is a strength that the Board will strive to maintain.
The report explains the structures, processes, and
procedures used by the Board and its Committees to
ensure that Hostelworld’s high standards of corporate
governance are maintained and provides a summary of
how the leadership role played by the Board in promoting
the long-term sustainable success of Hostelworld is
implemented. Details on how our effective governance
arrangements supported our strategy execution in 2024
are set out on page 93. The Board is committed, on an
enduring basis, to promoting high standards of corporate
governance in Hostelworld Group plc (the “Company”)
and its subsidiaries (together the “Group”).
The Company currently reports against the UK Corporate
Governance Code as published in 2018 (the “Code”).
The January 2024 version of the UK Corporate
Governance Code will apply to the Company with
effect from the start of the 2025 financial year (with
the exception of the new Provision 29), and we will
report against this new version (other than in respect
of Provision 29) in next year’s report.
Details of our governance practices are available in this
Corporate Governance Report and the Committee
Reports which follow. Below is a brief guide to where
the most relevant explanations are given for how the
Company applies each of the Code principles:
Principles
Pages
Board leadership and
Company purpose
A, B, C, D
and E
Pages 94
to 99
Division of responsibilities
F, G, H
and I
Pages 100
to 105
Composition, succession
and evaluation
J, K and L
Pages 107
to 115
Audit, risk and internal control
M, N and O
Pages 117
to 123
Remuneration
P, Q and R
Pages 125
to 145
Compliance with the UK Corporate
Governance Code
The Company has applied the principles and, other than
the three exceptions described below, has complied
with the provisions of the Code throughout the
reporting period.
(1) The Remuneration Committee has not developed
a formal policy on post-employment shareholding
requirements in accordance with Provision 36 of
the Code. This matter was considered again by the
Remuneration Committee during 2024, consulted on
with major shareholders and the main proxy advisers
in connection with the new Remuneration Policy put
before shareholders at the Company’s AGM in May
2024, and the conclusion reached was that the new
Remuneration Policy and the framework for LTIP
awards already provides sufficient alignment
between management and the long-term interests of
shareholders. There is a shareholding requirement
which must be met during employment and,
additionally, a requirement for LTIP awards to be
held for a two-year post-vesting holding period.
The Remuneration Committee does not believe
that further post-employment requirements are
necessary to ensure that the Executive Directors
are at all times operating in the best long-term
interests of shareholders.
(2) The 10% of salary pension contribution rate for the
CEO is above the 6% rate applicable to the wider
workforce and represents non-compliance with
Provision 38 of the Code. This issue was reviewed
in detail during 2023 and the early part of 2024 and
consulted on with major shareholders and the main
proxy advisers as part of the process for considering
the new Remuneration Policy put before shareholders
at the 2024 AGM. In circumstances where no major
shareholder responded to the Remuneration Policy
proposals expressing any concerns or opposition to
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
the explicit proposal to maintain the CEO ‘s pension
contribution rate at 10% of salary, the Remuneration
Committee determined that the CEO’s rate of pension
contribution, as contractually agreed at the time of his
recruitment in 2018, was not excessive, and agreed
to present this proposed approach to shareholders
at the 2024 AGM. In the context of the related AGM
vote, the Remuneration Policy proposals (which
included proposals to maintain the CEO’s pension
contribution rate at 10% of salary) were supported
by 97.71% of shareholders who cast their vote.
The Board and the Remuneration Committee
recognise that some shareholders take different
views on these remuneration matters, and they
will remain under review on a regular basis.
Accordingly, it is not currently possible to provide
a definite timeline for compliance with the related
Code provisions.
(3)
Alongside a number of other potential candidates,
both Paul Duffy and I were invited to participate in
the Board recruitment process which took place
during the year, resulting in my appointment as
Non-Executive Director and Chair designate and
Paul’s appointment as Non-Executive Director and
Remuneration Committee Chair, on the basis of
recommendations made to the Nomination Committee
through Board contacts and the Company’s capital
markets advisers. Egon Zehnder, an executive
search consultancy, were engaged to lead the
Board recruitment process in the earlier stages
of the exercise but were not involved in the
subsequent appointments of Paul and myself.
While the Committee was aware, at the time of the
appointments, of the Code expectation set out in
Provision 20 that an external search consultancy
or open advertising should generally be used for
the sourcing of chair and non-executive director
candidates, the Committee was of the view, given
the availability of myself and Paul and the Committee
assessment as to our suitability during the interview
process, as well as the material cost savings
involved, that a departure from this Code expectation
was in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders. Egon Zehnder did not have any other
connection with the Company or individual directors
during the reporting term.
Evolving Board Leadership
and Board Effectiveness
Implementation of succession plans for the Board Chair,
Remuneration Committee Chair and for Non-Executive
Directors was a key area of focus for the Nomination
Committee and the Board during the reporting period.
The leadership of the Board evolved with Michael
Cawley stepping down as Chairman in October 2024,
Paul Duffy being appointed as a Non-Executive Director,
member of the Audit and Nomination Committee and
member and Chair of the Remuneration Committee in
May 2024, and my own appointment, also in May 2024,
as a Non-Executive Director, Chair designate and
member of the Nomination Committee and Remuneration
Committee. In circumstances where Paul has served
on the Remuneration Committee of Glanbia, plc since
June 2021, Paul was qualified, in accordance with
the requirements of Provision 32 of the Code, to be
appointed as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
Details of the Chair, Non-Executive Director and
Committee changes that occurred during the year are
set out in the Nomination Committee Report on page 109.
Of the seven Board members, two are female, five are
resident in Europe and two are resident in the United
States of America. Four Board members have travel/
online executive experience, and the remaining members
come from other industry sectors. We have, in my view,
a diverse Board and an excellent mix of skills and
perspectives which ensures debate at boardroom level
is challenging and well informed.
The biographies of the Directors on pages 86 to 89 set
out the key skills and experience that each Director
brings to the Board. I have reviewed the performance
of each Director and am satisfied that each brings
commitment and expertise to their role and dedicates
sufficient time to contribute effectively to the performance
of the Board.
Arranged by the Company Secretary under my direction
as Chairman, the Board undertook an in-depth internal
review of its effectiveness during the latter part of 2024
and concluded that the Board and its Committees
continue to function effectively. Details of the
performance review process and its findings are
included on pages 114 and 115.
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Engaging with Shareholders and
our other Stakeholders
As Chairman, a core part of my role is shareholder
engagement. Therefore, following my taking over as
Chairman in October last, I met with Hostelworld’s
largest shareholders, representing almost 50% of the
Company’s issued share capital. In addition to an initial
introduction, the purpose of these engagements was
to set out my thinking in relation to the main areas of
focus for the Board and, as importantly, to gain an
understanding of the perspectives of the Company’s
major shareholders on the business. The feedback
I received was consistent in a number of respects,
with firm support for the effective management team
led by our CEO, Gary Morrison, alongside a recognition
of the importance of developing and communicating
plans for the next growth phase of the business.
Shareholders also expressed a range of views on issues
such as the preferred approach to capital allocation,
and the need to ensure effective succession plans
are in place. The detailed and helpful feedback from
the meetings has been considered by the Board and
relevant Committees.
As a Board we are focused on how we engage with our
stakeholders (which include our people, customers,
hostel partners, Allied Irish Banks, plc, as our lender, and
the communities where we maintain operations) and
ensuring that the Board has regard to their interests when
considering matters and making decisions. A key part
of the Board process is to balance and consider what
are, on occasion, conflicting interests and expectations
of our stakeholders to ensure each stakeholder’s
interests are taken into account in a considered manner.
The ways in which the business and Board have
considered stakeholders interests and engaged with
them during the year, the outcome of that engagement
and how it has influenced the Board’s decision-making,
and the measurements and metrics used to assess
engagement with each stakeholder can be found in
our Section 172 Statement on pages 75 to 83.
Culture
Effective operational and financial performance is
dependent on an appropriate Company culture which is
aligned with the Company’s purpose, values and strategy.
Please see pages 96 and 97 for the key means by which
the Board considered and monitored the Group’s culture
over the reporting period.
Annual General Meeting
The upcoming AGM is an important forum for
shareholders to hear more about the general
development of the business. The 2025 Annual General
Meeting will be held on 07 May 2025 and will be hosted
at WeWork, Charlemont Exchange, Dublin 2, where I will
be available to answer any questions that shareholders
may have. Full information is contained in the Notice
of Annual General Meeting, which will be sent to
shareholders with this Annual Report at least 20 working
days prior to the date of the meeting and is available on
the Company’s website at
www.hostelworldgroup.com
.
If you have any questions on governance arrangements
at Hostelworld, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the
Company Secretary (email:
corporate@hostelworld.com
).
Ulrik Bengton
Ulrik Bengtsson
Chairman
19 March 2025
Corporate Governance Report
continued
93
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
How Governance Supported our Strategy during 2024
Strategic Objective
Board’s Governance Role
Link to Principal Risk
2024 Board Activity
Strategy
Execution
Review and assessment of
proposals for delivering and
accelerating the Group’s
growth strategy.
Competition risks
(page 66)
During the year, the Board approved strategy
proposals and investments in the following key
areas: (1) growing social network customers by
launching new product features; (2) expansion
of inventory coverage to ensure the Group
meets its customers’ requirements that it has
competitively priced hostel accommodation
available in the right places at the right times; (3)
investments in the Group’s platform to improve
the scalability and resilience of its technology
systems; and (4) progressing the Group’s ESG
strategy to ensure the Group meets its
stakeholders expectations and enhances the
long-term sustainability of Hostelworld.
The Board also considered opportunities
identified to accelerate and deliver the next
phase of business growth for Hostelworld. The
review remains ongoing, with the initial
assessment conducted by the Board at a
number of Board meetings in H2 2024.
Investing in
our People
Oversight of remuneration
planning and implementation
to ensure our people were
paid fairly.
People risks
(page 68)
To ensure broader retention risks were
managed and that our people were rewarded
fairly and competitively, the Remuneration
Committee agreed that salary proposals for the
2024 salary review provided for average salary
increases for colleagues in excess of salary
increases for the Executive Directors.
Maintaining
an Effective
Board
Governance to ensure the
implementation of Board
succession plans in a way
that maintains an effective
and entrepreneurial Board.
People risks
(page 68)
Board assessment of the skills, experience and
abilities of candidates required to deliver the
Group’s strategic objectives, and approval of
Nomination Committee recommendations in
respect of the appointments of Ulrik Bengtsson
and Paul Duffy.
Managing our
Financial and
Liquidity
Position
Governance to ensure
proposals to make early and
voluntary repayment of the
outstanding debt owed to
AIB, plc was considered in
the context of the Group’s
financial and liquidity position.
Macro-economic
conditions (page 65)
and financial risks
(not individually
disclosed as not
considered a primary
risk following
repayment of
outstanding debt)
Assessment of key financial and liquidity
considerations and approval of the proposal to
complete the early debt repayment.
Capital
Allocation
Assessment of benefits and
financial stability risks of
making a dividend payment
to shareholders.
Macro-economic
conditions (page 65),
Execution of strategy
(page 67) and
financial risks (not
individually disclosed
as considered
a primary risk
following repayment
of outstanding debt)
Assessed and confirmed that the payment of
dividends would not be in the best interests of
the business at the present time.
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We set out below how the Code has been applied and complied with during the reporting period. We have
provided cross references in certain sections to relevant parts of the Annual Report where we explain how
we have applied the principles and complied with the provisions of the Code. Our aim is to reduce repetition,
ensure transparency and demonstrate the integrated application of the Code. The Code is publicly available
at
www.frc.org.uk/document-library/corporate-governance/2018/uk-corporate-governance-code-2018
1. Board Leadership and Company Purpose –
Principles A-E of the 2018 Code
Approach to Governance
The Board’s main responsibility is to lead the Company in
delivering long-term sustainable value for shareholders
and other stakeholders and contributing positively to
wider society. We set out on page 93 how governance
has supported the delivery of our strategy during 2024
and how this is linked to our principal risks.
Long Term Sustainable Success
In accordance with the Code, the Board is responsible
for the long-term success of the Group, is focused on
long-term strategic plans, and reviews and assesses
performance against strategic goals at each scheduled
Board meeting. The Board has a detailed programme
that ensures financial performance, strategy, risk,
stakeholder engagement, culture, and governance
matters are discussed and assessed frequently. As part
of the Board’s role in promoting the long-term sustainable
success of the Company, generating value for
shareholders and contributing positively to society, during
2024 the Board focused on the matters identified in the
CEO’s review (please see the CEO’s review (pages 19
to 22) and the Chairman’s Statement (pages 14 to 16).
The Board also assesses the sustainability of the
business model over the longer term through:
Assessing the Group’s addressable customer market
and the suitability of its marketing programmes
and product features for specific categories of
different customers.
Assessing industry trends and anticipated
developments and attending industry conferences.
Regularly assessing the status of the Group’s debt
commitments, capital requirements and capital
allocation policy.
Assessing feedback from our stakeholders.
Overseeing the risk management and controls in place
to address risk (including IT and cyber security risks).
Maintaining oversight over the Group’s system of
internal controls.
Considering key factors likely to affect future
performance for the purposes of the Viability
Statement set out on page 73.
Effective and Entrepreneurial Board
The Board reviews strategy and execution against
applicable KPIs at each scheduled Board meeting and
receives updates from the CFO on execution against
shorter term trading KPIs every two weeks. Key
strategic issues discussed by the Board over the
reporting period included:
The ongoing development of our social strategy and
social network products and the most effective means
to achieve booking and revenue growth in this area.
Enhancing our portfolio of hostel partners and
how we ensure we have the right type of
accommodation inventory to meet our traveller
customers’ requirements.
Implementation of our sustainability strategy and
growing our sustainability improvement framework
for the hostelling industry.
The expansion of the Group’s marketing programmes.
Artificial intelligence and how it could be best used
by Hostelworld.
The Group’s technology strategy and its alignment
with the requirements of our hostel partners and
traveller customers.
ESG oversight, including TCFD risks and opportunities,
and review of roadmap to ensure compliance with
new regulations.
Assessing changes to corporate reporting
requirements and legal and regulatory developments
that impact the Group.
The use of office space in our principal locations and
assessing future ways of working in Dublin, Porto
and elsewhere that are cost-effective and, of equal
importance, appropriate for our people.
Our culture and our purpose and whether our
culture, purpose, values and strategy are aligned.
Review of the 2025 budget and two-year outlook
and the potential impact of external risk factors.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We set out on pages 114 and 115 details of the Board’s
effectiveness and how our performance review process
assists in ensuring that the strengths of the Board are
recognised and understood and areas that require
improvement are identified and actioned. The Nomination
Committee Report (pages 107 to 115) describes how we
ensure we have the right skills and experience on our
Board. Biographies of the Directors are provided on
pages 86 and 89.
(a) Directors’ Induction and On-going Training
On appointment to the Board, each Director takes part in
a comprehensive induction programme. This induction
is supplemented with ongoing training which is updated
throughout the year to ensure the Board is kept informed
of legal and regulatory requirements and industry
updates. How induction for new Board members is
structured and implemented is set out in the Nomination
Committee Report on page 110. A case study on the
induction programme provided for Paul Duffy following
his Board appointment in May 2024 is also set out in
the Nomination Committee Report on page 110. Further
details of training undertaken by Board members are
provided in the Nomination Committee Report on
page 111.
(b) Conflicts of Interest
Our Board has a Conflicts of Interest Policy and has
put in place procedures for the disclosure and review
of any potential or actual conflicts. Prior to the Board
appointments of Ulrik Bengtsson and Paul Duffy in
May 2024, a rigorous review was undertaken by the
Company Secretary to ensure no conflicts of interest
arose with respect to their appointments. During 2024,
no conflicts of interest arose in respect of Board matters.
(c) Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
The Board considers Paul Duffy, Carl G. Shepherd,
Éimear Moloney and Evan Cohen to be independent.
Accordingly, the Company meets the requirement of
the Code that at least half of the Board (excluding the
Chair) is comprised of independent Non-Executive
Directors. Ulrik Bengtsson, Chairman of the Board,
was considered independent on his appointment to
that role. Details of succession planning as it relates to
Non-Executive Directors is set out in the Nomination
Committee report on page 109.
The Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors
constructively challenge and help develop proposals
on strategy and bring independent judgement,
knowledge, and experience to the Board’s
deliberations. During the year, the Non-Executive
Directors are expected, in accordance with related
contractual terms set out in applicable non-executive
director appointment letters, to commit approximately
15 to 20 days to the business of the Group.
The terms and conditions of appointment of the
Non-Executive Directors are available for inspection at
the Company’s registered office and are also available
for inspection at the AGM.
Company Values and Purpose –
New Culture Code
Periodic reflection by the Board on whether the Group’s
culture is effective in a constantly changing environment
is vital to ensure appropriate changes and refinements
are made to align with the evolution of the Group’s
strategy. During the year, the Board reviewed and
affirmed the Group’s purpose, considered the Group’s
values and behaviours, and provided oversight in the
creation of a new Culture Code that was developed to
properly reflect the shared beliefs and values of all
Hostelworld colleagues. Details of the Group’s mission,
purpose and vision are set out on page 2, details on the
Group’s behaviours and values are set on pages 33 to
36 of the Strategic Report and details of the Group’s new
Culture Code are summarised on pages 30 and 31 with
further detail set out on page 33 of the Strategic Report.
Our values, behaviours and Culture Code demonstrate
how we behave individually and collectively as a Board
and how we expect our colleagues to conduct
themselves on an on-going day-to-day basis. They are
embedded in our practices through the establishment
and implementation of individual and business conduct
policies, with any breach which may impact on our
culture or values reported to the Board or relevant
Committee, as appropriate. Hostelworld’s purpose,
values and behaviours, and the new Culture Code
were discussed by the Board during the reporting year,
notably at its meeting in December 2024. Our values,
behaviours and new Culture Code underpin a culture
that promotes inclusion and dignity in the workplace for
our people and of conducting business in a commercially
sound but ethical manner.
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Corporate Governance Report
continued
Our purpose, values and behaviours and our new
Culture Code will be reviewed and refreshed as
necessary to ensure they reflect the ongoing and
future needs of Hostelworld. The Board is strongly of
the view that these must be communicated effectively,
reinforced, and continuously embedded in our policies
and procedures so that the right values and behaviours
drive what we do and how we do them.
The Executive Directors have been delegated
responsibility for ensuring that established values
and behaviours set at Board level are effectively
communicated and implemented across the business.
If the Board is concerned with any behaviours or
actions, it will seek assurance that corrective action is
being taken. No such action was required during 2024.
Assessing and Monitoring Culture (and
how Culture is embedded)
Our culture is based on our values, behaviours and our
new Culture Code and is underpinned by appropriate
policies and codes of conduct.
Workforce Engagement Sessions
– Evan Cohen, in
his capacity as designated Non-Executive Director
with responsibility for workforce engagement, hosted
engagement forums with colleagues in order to
provide the Board with a clear understanding of the
views of colleagues on Hostelworld’s strategy,
performance, culture and working environment and
the priorities and concerns of colleagues and project
teams. In addition, Ulrik Bengtsson participated in a
virtual Q&A with colleagues from across the business.
Employee Surveys
– updates from survey results
provided to the Board by the Chief People Officer assists
the Board in monitoring culture through understanding
the concerns and challenges of colleagues, and
initiatives that are working well or could be improved.
Remuneration Engagement
– a member of the
Remuneration Committee meets with the Group’s
employee forum to discuss the Company’s approach
to executive pay to enhance colleagues understanding
of how executive compensation decisions are made
and received feedback in the context of the broader
pay and reward policy in the Group.
Town Halls
– the CEO, CFO and Executive Leadership
Team host twice monthly virtual townhalls (including a
Q&A session) for all colleagues and use these forums
to promote our culture and understand the views and
concerns of staff.
Leadership Behaviours
– the Group’s leadership
development programmes specify the key attributes
and behaviours for our leaders with details of the
design and implementation of the programmes
updated to the Board by the Chief People Officer.
Board Performance Review
– the annual Board
effectiveness review allows the Board to reflect on
Board performance during the review period and
assess the extent to which it has effectively promoted
the Hostelworld culture and set the ‘tone from the top’.
Informal Engagement
– Non-Executive Board members
are encouraged to meet informally with employees
and, through these engagements, observe if the
appropriate cultural traits and behaviours are being
displayed by colleagues.
Management use a set of specific, Board approved
metrics which provide a detailed overview to support
the Board in fulfilling its role in monitoring and assessing
culture. These include metrics and KPIs taken from
employee engagement surveys, employee exit surveys,
HR policies in respect of disciplinary and compensation
and promotion practices, inclusion, equity and diversity
and compliance training data, levels of participation in
learning and development programmes, whistleblowing
reporting, well-being policies and programmes for our
people, compliance with our GDPR obligations in respect
of our customers personal information, satisfaction
scores from our hostel partners, resolution rates for
customer services issues, compliance with payment
terms with our vendor partners, and whether any
contractual disputes have arisen with our hostel
partners. Independent assurance is sought from
PwC in certain areas via the outsourced internal audit
function and from other advisers.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Metrics used to monitor culture and the extent to which
it is embedded include:
Allowing our people raise any concerns they have
anonymously via our Whistleblowing Hotline service
is essential to ensure staff have the means to highlight
suspected wrongdoing, and monitoring the volume
of incidents reported provides an important insight
into the health of our culture – no issues were reported
to the service during 2024 (no change from 2023).
Complying with our customers privacy rights is
essential to maintaining their trust and confidence,
and the participation rate in data protection compliance
training allows us to establish how embedded this
vital compliance requirement is in the business – 99%
of invited participants completed the training in 2024
(no change from 2023).
Resolving any issues our traveller customers may
have in a timely manner is important to make sure
Hostelworld’s reputation as a trusted hostel booking
provider is maintained, and assessing improvements
in the time it takes to resolve any customer issues
allows us to verify that doing the right thing for our
customers is at the heart of how we operate as a
business – the customer support resolution rate
improved over 2024 with 87% of tickets resolved
within 36 hours (2023: 85% of tickets resolved
within 36 hours).
Paying our suppliers on time in accordance with
agreed contract terms is important to maintain a
collaborative partnership-based relationship and
avoid needless and costly disputes, and how we
score against this performance metric provides a
transparent measure of the health of our culture
– 100% of our suppliers were paid in accordance
with agreed payment terms during 2024 (no
change from 2023).
Complying with contractual terms agreed with
our hostel partners (and avoiding legal disputes)
demonstrates the business is being run with
appropriate regard for our contract obligations and
commitments, and how we score against this metric
provides a firm sense as to whether the business
is being run in an ethical and responsible manner
– no legal disputes arose with a hostel partner
during 2024 (no change from 2023).
Retaining our employees is a key element of our
strategy, and retention rates are a strong indicator of
an engaged workforce. The employee attrition rate
for 2024 of 10.4% represented an improvement on
the equivalent rate for 2023 (19.4%) and confirms that
we continue to make progress in this important area.
How our Culture Supports Strategy:
Our key strategic objectives are to execute our social
network growth strategy, expand our inventory coverage,
improve our technology platform, progress our ESG
initiatives, and deliver on our commitments to our people,
hostel partners and communities. Further details of
our strategy objectives are set out on pages 19 to 22.
We are enabled and empowered to deliver on our
strategic objectives by a vibrant culture underpinned
by our values:
Think Customer
- we attract and retain customers by
focusing on their needs and putting them at the centre
of our product roadmap.
Building a Better World
– we engage our people by
being inclusive and welcoming as an employer with a
firm focus on inclusion, equity and diversity (“IE&D”).
Community Spirit
– we bring people together from all
over the world through our product offering and in our
office locations across the globe. Our community spirit
with our customers, our hostel partners, and our people
enhances these relationships and drives performance
and strategy execution.
Be Bold, be Brave, be Adventurous
– we embrace
change and encourage and incentivise our people to
learn continuously so that we are able to respond
quickly to our stakeholders’ evolving perspectives.
Keep it Simple
– the simpler things are for our people,
customers, and hostel partners, the faster we can
move and execute on our strategy.
For more information on our culture and how we invest
and reward our people, see our ‘People and Culture’
section set out on pages 32 to 39.
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Corporate Governance Report
continued
Risk Management
The Group invests appropriate resources to manage and
monitor IT security, data protection and regulatory risks
with the assistance of its internal auditors and senior
members of each division/function within the Group.
The Board and its Committees receive regular updates
on risks and risk management, and periodically assess
the key risks and emerging risks in the business. The
Board is committed to ensuring the privacy rights of
our customers and partners are always respected and
is provided with updates from the Audit Committee on
the results of privacy audits undertaken by the Group’s
Data Protection Officer and ongoing cyber security
reviews of the Group’s booking platform and IT systems
undertaken by the Group’s Head of Information
Technology Security. Independent assurance is sought
on IT controls and IT security risks from PwC, our
outsourced internal audit partner. The Board is also
committed to ensuring the Company’s market abuse
compliance obligations are strictly observed and is
provided with updates from the Disclosure Committee on
the results of each Disclosure Committee meeting held
and the appropriate implementation of the compliance
processes and procedures specified in the Company’s
Market Abuse Regulation Compliance Manual.
Whistleblowing and Anti-Bribery
The Board is committed to promoting a culture that
ensures employees can report concerns of wrongdoing
in confidence through both internal and external
mechanisms. The Group previously adopted an Anti-
Bribery Policy and a Whistleblowing Policy and maintains
a confidential helpline for reporting such matters.
As reported above, no incidents were reported to the
helpline during 2024. The Board has also considered
whether the absence of reports could indicate a lack
of awareness of the availability of the Whistleblowing
Hotline or other cultural issues leading to the service
not being utilised. However, based on reports from the
Chief People Officer, the Board concluded that the
service has been well communicated to colleagues
and that employees would feel comfortable using this
communication channel. The Anti-Bribery Policy and
Whistleblowing Policy are reviewed annually to ensure
they remain relevant and fit for purpose.
Remuneration and Culture
We set out on page 128 how we have addressed the
issue of ensuring remuneration is aligned with culture.
We explain on pages 127 and 128 the Group’s approach
to investing in and rewarding our workforce and on
page 128 how remuneration is aligned to the Company’s
purpose and values.
Using Stakeholder Views to Shape Board
Decision Making
Details of how engagement with stakeholders was
conducted during 2024, what metrics and performance
indicators were used in connection with stakeholder
engagement, how the outcomes of the engagement
with stakeholders was reflected in Board decisions,
and how the Directors consider they have promoted
the success of the Group in accordance with the
requirements of section 172(1) of the Companies Act
2006 are set out in the Section 172 Statement
(pages 75 to 83).
Workforce Engagement Statement
People are critical to our success and maintaining a
safe and respectful working environment is central to
maintaining high levels of engagement. The Board is
committed to ensuring that it is aware of the views and
concerns of the Group’s workforce and that it has
regard to their interests and perspectives as part of the
Board’s decision-making process. The feedback we get
from our people helps to improve our understanding
of the culture and values and behaviours that are
appropriate for the business and how we continue to
ensure that Hostelworld is an enriching and rewarding
place to work for our people.
As part of the programme of employee engagement
activities conducted during 2024, Evan Cohen hosted
engagement forums with colleagues from different
parts of the business with a focus on those who had
commenced work with the Group more recently,
provided updates on Board activities and sought the
views of the forum members on a number of topics,
and Ulrik Bengtsson participated in a virtual Q&A with
colleagues from across the business.
Key themes emerging from engagements with the
workforce during 2024:
Strong appreciation from colleagues for employee
engagement, people policies and the Group’s focus
on learning and development programmes, and the
Board and employee’s shared view of the importance
of employee engagement generally and people
related initiatives.
Positive acknowledgement from our people of the
access to the Executive Directors and the transparency
of communications, particularly the twice monthly
townhalls which include open Q&A sessions with
the CEO.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Colleagues highlighted that remote work was
challenging for effective team building and on-
boarding new staff members with consideration
appropriate for more in-person meetings
and enhancements to new employee on-
boarding activities.
Our people were very positive about our culture but
highlighted that reinforcing the Hostelworld values
and behaviours and ensuring the new Culture Code
was firmly embedded was essential.
Confidence in the Group’s business model was
evident from the discussions with colleagues proud
of the success of the social features suite of products
and having a keen interest in understanding the
strategy plans to deliver the next phase of
business growth.
Colleagues spoke positively about the
investments made in the Group’s Learning and
Development capabilities.
The Group’s ongoing work in the IE&D space was
a positive highlight in the discussions.
Colleagues highlighted the on-going success of the
Group-wide ‘fireside chats’ involving Non-Executive
Directors, welcomed the participation of the new
Chairman in the programme during 2024, and
recommended that this programme of Non-Executive
Directors participating in virtual engagement events
on a cross-company basis be maintained on an
on-going basis.
Feedback from the various engagement channels was
shared and discussed by the Board and the perspectives
of employees supported more informed Board and
management decisions and helped identify areas to
improve the employee experience, in particular the
onboarding experience for new colleagues, and improve
employee engagement with the Board. How the Board
engaged with the workforce and how the views of our
people have been used to shape Board decisions during
the year are set out in the Section 172 Statement
(pages 75 to 83).
Directors’ Concerns
During the year, no Director had concerns about the
operation of the Board or the management of the Group
that could not be resolved.
YellowSquare, Florence, Italy
100
Governance
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Corporate Governance Report
continued
2. Division of Responsibilities -
Principles F - I of the 2018 Code
The Chairman
Responsibility
Ulrik Bengtsson was appointed as Chair designate
on 02 May 2024, assumed the role of Chairman on
10 October 2024, and was considered independent
on appointment. The Chairman is responsible for the
overall effectiveness of the Board and maintaining a
culture of openness and transparency at Board meetings.
The Chairman is also responsible for ensuring all
Directors contribute effectively to Board discussions
and provide constructive challenge on key issues under
consideration. The Chairman, Committee Chairs and
Company Secretary hold regular meetings to discuss
agenda items and Board and Committee materials.
The Board confirms that Ulrik Bengtsson promotes
a culture of open and honest debate in the boardroom.
The Chairman’s responsibilities are outlined in the table
on page 102.
A Balanced Board
As required by the Code, at least half the Board
(excluding the Chairman) are independent Non-
Executive Directors. The Nomination Committee
regularly reviews Board composition, including the
balance of skills and experience on the Board, the
tenure of each Non-Executive Director, and conducts
succession planning for Non-Executive Directors and
Executive Directors.
Director and Board Performance
Following a performance review exercise conducted
during the latter part of 2024 under the direction of
the new Chairman, each Director’s performance was
considered as continuing to be effective, and each
Director was considered to demonstrate commitment
to the role. The internal Board performance review
concluded that the skills and experience of the Executive
Directors and independent Non-Executive Directors
were appropriate with the Board working effectively
together. Details of the results and recommendations
of the Board performance review exercise are set out
on page 114 and 115.
Non-Executive Directors and Independence
In accordance with the Code, our Non-Executive
Directors have responsibility for constructively
challenging the strategies proposed by the Executive
Directors and holding management to account in
respect of the achievement of Company goals and
objectives. The Non-Executive Directors also play a
primary role in the effective functioning of the Board’s
Committees (other than the Disclosure Committee
which is comprised of the CEO and CFO).
The Board has identified on pages 86 to 89 which
Directors it considers to be independent. The Board
confirms that it assessed the independence of the
Non-Executive Directors as part of the annual Board
performance review process and has determined
that each of the Non-Executive Directors continued
to demonstrate independent judgement during the
reporting period and remained free from any business
or other relationships which could have materially
affected the exercise of their judgement.
The Non-Executive Directors play an important role in
ensuring that no individual director or group of directors
dominates the Board’s decision making. It is therefore
of significant importance that their independence is
maintained. To properly preserve their independence,
Non-Executive Directors are not permitted to serve
more than three three-year terms (other than in
exceptional circumstances).
Other External Appointments
The Board takes into account a Director’s other
significant external commitments (including, where
applicable, their commitments as committee members
of other listed companies where they serve as
directors) when considering them for appointment to
satisfy itself that the individual can allocate sufficient
time to their Board duties and assess any potential
conflicts of interest. Each Director is required to notify
the Chair of any changes to any significant external
commitments that arise during the year with an
indication of the time commitment involved.
101
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Directors may only take on additional external
appointments with the prior approval of the Board. If
required to assess additional directorships, the Board
will consider the number of directorships held by the
individual already and their expected time commitment
for those roles. The Board considers the most recent
guidance published by institutional investors and proxy
advisers as to the maximum number of appointments
which can be managed efficiently. As part of the Board
performance review exercise, each Non-Executive
Director has confirmed (as they are required to do on
an annual basis) that they have been able to allocate
sufficient time to discharge their responsibilities
effectively (see table on page 105 for Board
meeting attendance).
For the table below, we have used the methodology
contained in the ISS UK and Ireland Proxy Voting
Guidelines in respect of ‘overboarding’ to calculate our
Non-Executive Directors’ mandates in respect of their
appointments with publicly listed companies. The Board
confirms that none of our Directors are overcommitted
and all Directors have adequate time to discharge
their duties as Directors of the Company. At the date
of publication of this Annual Report, no external
appointments are held by our Executive Directors.
Non-Executive Director
Board Chairman
Executive Director
Independent
Appointments
Mandates
Appointments
Mandates
Appointments
Mandates
Total Mandates
(1)
Ulrik
Bengtsson
Yes
Hostelworld
Group plc
Raketech Group
Holding plc
4
4
Carl G.
Shepherd
Yes
Hostelworld
Group plc
1
1
Eimear
Moloney
Yes
Hostelworld
Group plc
Kingspan
Group plc
Irish
Continental
Group plc.
3
3
Evan Cohen
Yes
Hostelworld
Group plc
1
1
Paul Duffy
Yes
Hostelworld
Group plc
Glanbia plc
2
2
(1)
Inclusive of their appointment at Hostelworld Group plc. For the purposes of calculating the total number of mandates, a non-executive membership
counts as one mandate, a non-executive chairmanship counts as two mandates and a position as executive director (or a comparable role) is counted
as three mandates.
102
Governance
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Corporate Governance Report
continued
Division of Responsibilities
There is a clear division between executive and non-
executive responsibilities which ensures effective
oversight and responsibility. The roles of the Board,
Board Committees, Chairman and CEO are documented,
as are those matters reserved to the Board. An overview
of the division of responsibilities between the Board
and the executive leadership of the Group is provided
in the table below.
Company Secretary
The Company Secretary is responsible for ensuring
the Board and Board Committees have the time and
necessary information required to discharge their
duties, function effectively, and provides the Board
and Board Committees with briefings and guidance on
governance and relevant legal and regulatory matters.
Both the appointment and removal of the Company
Secretary is a matter for the Board. In accordance with
the Code, the remuneration of the Company Secretary
is determined by the Remuneration Committee.
Division of Responsibilities
Chairman
Ulrik Bengtsson
Leadership of the Board
Responsible for overall effectiveness
in directing the Group
Constructive relationships between the
Executive and Non-Executive Directors
Effective contribution of all Non-
Executive Directors
Directors receive accurate and
timely information
Meetings with Non-Executive Directors,
without Executive Directors present
Ensures Board is aware of the views of
major shareholders
Board (key matters)
Group’s purpose and values
Group’s strategic aims and business plans
Annual and interim results
Annual Report and Financial Statements
Dividend policy
Internal control and risk management
Major changes to the Group’s corporate
structure (including but not limited to
major acquisitions/disposals)
Capital purchases > €250k outside budget
Communication with shareholders
Changes in structure, size and composition
of the Board
Material litigation
Remuneration Policy for Directors and
senior executives
Governance structure
Oversees culture (including IE&D programmes)
and climate-related risks and controls
Senior Independent
Director
Carl G. Shepherd
Sounding board for the Chairman
Intermediary for the other Directors
and shareholders
Annual appraisal of Chairman’s performance
Non-Executive Directors
Constructive challenge, strategic
guidance and specialist advice
Scrutinise and hold to account the
performance of management and individual
Executive Directors against performance and
strategy objectives
Chief Executive Officer
Gary Morrison
Execute the Group’s strategy and
commercial objectives together with
implementing the decisions of the Board
and its Committees
To keep the Chairman and Board
appraised of important issues and
competitive challenges facing the Group
To ensure that the Group’s business is
conducted with the highest standards of
integrity, in keeping with our culture
Manage the Group’s risk profile and ensure
actions are compliant with the Board’s risk
appetite
Investor relations activities, including
effective and ongoing communication
with shareholders
103
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Division of Responsibilities
Chief Financial Officer
Caroline Sherry
Support the CEO in developing and
implementing strategy
Provide financial leadership to the
Group and align the Group’s business
and financial strategy
Responsible for financial planning and
control, treasury and tax functions
Responsible for presenting and reporting
accurate and timely historical financial
information
Manage the capital structure of the Group
Investor relations activities, including
communications with investors, alongside
the CEO
Chairs Steering Committee on ESG
and oversees sustainability and other
reporting compliance
Designated Non-
Executive Director for
Workforce Engagement
Evan Cohen
Attendance at employee
engagement forums
Provide regular updates to the Board
on issues discussed at employee
engagement forum meetings
Review any messages received through
the whistleblowing system from the
Group’s employees
Monitor the effectiveness of engagement
programmes established for employees
Company Secretary
John Duggan
Compliance with all corporate governance
matters, monitors the Group’s disclosure
requirements under the Code and LSE
(UK) and Euronext (Ireland
) Listing Rules
Ensure Board procedures are followed
Compliance by the Company with its legal
and regulatory responsibilities
The Board of Directors
The schedule of matters reserved for the Board’s
decision is available on the Group’s website,
www.hostelworldgroup.com
. The schedule of matters
reserved for the Board and the Terms of Reference for
each of its Committees are subject to annual review.
The Board also has a Delegation of Authority Policy
that sets out the primary responsibilities, controls and
authorisation limits on matters affecting the Group’s
business. This policy was reviewed and updated by
the Board on two occasions during 2024.
Board Meetings
There were 9 Board meetings held during the year,
with additional Board conference calls held between
Board meetings as and when circumstances required.
As applicable, certain Board decisions are addressed
through written resolutions signed by each member of
the Board. Key issues assessed, and material decisions
taken by the Board and its Committees during the year
included the following:
Strategy
On-going updates and presentations from the
Executive Directors and members of the Executive
Leadership Team on the implementation of strategy
throughout the year and development of new
strategic objectives
Approval of the Board and Committee appointments
of Ulrik Bengtsson and Paul Duffy
Reviewing the Group’s 2025 budget and two-
year outlook
Overseeing and approving the Group’s ESG roadmap
and undertaking an assessment of achievement of
ESG strategy milestones, including the implementation
of the ‘
Staircase to Sustainability
’ framework
Reviewing the Group’s long-term strategic objectives
with a particular focus on the growth and iteration
of the Group’s social network product features,
technology strategy, hostel inventory strategy and
paid marketing strategy
Undertaking an in-depth review of the Company’s
investor relations plans and shareholder
engagement activities
Assessing and confirming that the payment of a
dividend in respect of 2024 would not be in the
best interests of the business
Assessing and considering culture, adopting a new
Culture Code and engaging with major shareholders
and key stakeholders
104
Governance
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Corporate Governance Report
continued
Commercial
On-going updates and presentations from the
Executive Directors on trading and financial
performance (twice monthly trading emails sent to
the Non-Executive Directors by the CFO)
Approval of early and voluntary repayment of AIB
debt (completed in June 2024)
Reviewing a draft budget for 2025
Approving the full year results, half year results and
Annual Report
Risk Management and Internal Controls
Reviewing the Group’s principal and emerging risks
Reviewing and confirming the Group’s viability
statement and going concern status
Receiving an update on cyber risk and IT security
Receiving an update on data protection compliance
Receiving an update on CSRD reporting and related
compliance programme
Receiving an update on market abuse regulation
compliance and key changes to legal and
regulatory matters
Receiving an update on compliance training
completion rates
Reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s system
of internal controls and risk management
People and Culture
Approving proposals for a new Directors’
Remuneration Policy which were put before
shareholders at the May 2024 AGM
Approving initiatives in the areas of employee
well-being and employee assistance
Receiving updates from Evan Cohen in his capacity
as Non-Executive Director responsible for employee
engagement (Evan Cohen replaced Éimear Moloney
in the role in December 2023)
Receiving updates on key people and culture issues
from the Chief People Officer (or the CEO in his
absence) at the majority of scheduled Board meeting
Considering and implementing succession plans
for Chair, Remuneration Committee Chair and
non-executive Board positions
Considering succession plans for the Board, Executive
Directors, Executive Leadership Team and talent
management programmes for key high performers
Reviewing the Board Diversity Policy
Standing Agenda Items
In addition to the above, at each scheduled Board
meeting there are standing items, which include:
Review and approval of the previous meeting minutes
Committee updates to the Board
Status update on any matters outstanding from
previous meetings
Report from the CEO (including an update on strategy
development, growth initiatives and execution)
Report from the CFO (including an update on trading,
financial performance outlook, investor relations and
progress on ESG strategy initiatives)
Reports from the Chief Product Officer, Chief People
Officer, Chief Supply Officer and Chief Technology
Officer on departmental developments and initiatives
and progress against strategic objectives
The Directors’ attendance records at the Board meetings
held during the year are shown in the table below.
Attendance records at Committee meetings are detailed
in the respective Committee Reports. Directors are
provided with appropriate documentation approximately
one week in advance of each Board or Committee
meeting. For each scheduled Board meeting the papers
include a trading update, financial performance and
strategy execution update, a people and culture update,
and progress on the Group’s ESG strategy. In addition,
all Board and Committee members receive the minutes
of meetings as a matter of course.
Non-Executive Directors are encouraged to communicate
directly with senior management between Board
meetings and are provided with a twice-monthly trading
update by the CFO. Different members of the Executive
Leadership Team attend scheduled Board meetings to
present updates on the performance of their specific
areas of responsibility.
Should any Director judge it necessary to seek
independent legal advice in respect of Company matters,
they are entitled to do so at the Company’s expense.
105
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Meetings between the Non-Executive Directors, without the presence of the Executive Directors, are scheduled in
the Board’s annual programme. These meetings were conducted at the end of the majority of scheduled 2024 Board
meetings and provided the Non-Executive Directors with a private forum to discuss matters presented by the Executive
Directors at the particular meeting and wider business topics. These meetings are helpful in preserving the independence
of Non-Executive Directors by providing them with the means to discuss Executive Director performance and Company
issues in the absence of the Executive Directors.
Board Meeting Attendance
Membership
No. of scheduled meetings/total no. of scheduled
meetings held when the Director was a member
(1)
Attendance %
Ulrik Bengtsson
(2)
(Chairman from 10 October 2024)
4/4
100%
Paul Duffy
(2)
4/4
100%
Carl G. Shepherd
9/9
100%
Éimear Moloney
9/9
100%
Evan Cohen
9/9
100%
Gary Morrison
9/9
100%
Caroline Sherry
9/9
100%
Michael Cawley
(2)
(Chairman until 10 October 2024)
8/8
100%
(1)
Certain Board matters relating to the operation of an Employee Benefit Trust for the purposes of facilitating the holding of shares in the capital of the Company
for the benefit of the Group’s employees and certain former employees were conducted by a specifically constituted Board sub-committee comprised of
the CEO and CFO. Board approval of the appointment of Éimear Moloney as a Non-Executive Director of a non-listed company during the reporting period
was conducted separately via written resolution.
(2)
Ulrik Bengtsson was appointed as Non-Executive Director, Chair Designate and a member of the Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee on
02 May 2024, and was appointed as Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Nomination Committee on 10 October 2024. Paul Duffy was appointed as
Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and member and Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 02 May
2024. Michael Cawley resigned from the Board and all Committee roles on 10 October 2024.
Disclosure Committee
The Board has also established a Disclosure Committee which is responsible for overseeing the Company’s compliance
with the Market Abuse Regulation and making decisions (with the advice and support of the Group’s equity capital
markets advisers – Deutsche Numis, Goodbody Stockbrokers, and Travers Smith LLP,) on when information must be
disclosed to the market. Membership of the Disclosure Committee is comprised of the CEO and CFO. The Company
Secretary acts as secretary to the Disclosure Committee.
106
Governance
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
WOT Peniche, Peniche, Portugal
107
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Promoting a culture of inclusion, equity
and diversity
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference of the Nomination
Committee, which were reviewed during
2024, are available on the Company’s
website at
www.hostelworldgroup.com
.
Key Responsibilities
Assessing the composition, structure
and size (including skills, knowledge,
experience and diversity) of the Board
and its Committees and making
recommendations on appointments
and reappointments to the Board.
Planning for the orderly succession of
new Directors to the Board and of senior
management, taking into account the
tenure of Non-Executive Directors and
the challenges and opportunities facing
the Group.
Keeping under review the leadership
needs of the Group, both executive and
non-executive, with a view to ensuring
the continued ability of the Group to
compete effectively.
Reviewing the talent capability across
the Group and the progress of talent
development programmes.
Keeping the extent of Directors’ other
interests under review to ensure that
the effectiveness of the Board is
not compromised.
Overseeing the performance review
of the Board, its Committees and
individual Directors.
Reviewing the results of the Board
performance review.
Following each meeting, the Nomination
Committee communicates its main
discussion points and findings to the
Board. A review of the performance of
the Nomination Committee is conducted
each year.
3. Composition, Succession and Evaluation –
Principles J - L of the 2018 Code
Nomination Committee Report
Ulrik Bengtsson
Nomination Committee Chair
Committee members and meeting attendance:
Membership
No. of scheduled meetings/
total no. of scheduled meetings held
when the Director was a member
Attendance %
Ulrik Bengtsson
(1)
(Chair from 10 October 2024)
2/2
100%
Paul Duffy
(1)
2/2
100%
Carl G. Shepherd
4/4
100%
Éimear Moloney
4/4
100%
Evan Cohen
4/4
100%
Michael Cawley
(1)
(Chair until 10 October 2024)
3/3
100%
(1)
Ulrik Bengtsson was appointed as a member of Nomination Committee on 02 May 2024, and was
appointed as Chair of the Committee on 10 October 2024. Paul Duffy was appointed as a member
of the Nomination Committee on 02 May 2024. Michael Cawley resigned from the Board and the
Nomination Committee on 10 October 2024.
See pages 86 to 89 for further information on current Nomination Committee members.
Committee Composition
Appointments to the Committee are for a period of up to three years, which
may be extended for two further periods of up to three years, provided
the majority of the Nomination Committee members remain independent.
The Nomination Committee’s composition complies with the requirements
of the Code. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee.
The Chief People Officer regularly attends meetings and is responsible for
supporting on succession planning, talent management, and IE&D.
108
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Nomination Committee Report
continued
Chair’s Review of 2024
Dear Shareholder,
On behalf of the Board and the Nomination Committee
(the “Committee”), it is my pleasure to present the
Nomination Committee Report for the year ended
31 December 2024.
The principal activities of the Committee during 2024
were as follows:
Chair Succession, Remuneration Committee Chair
Succession, and Non-Executive Director Appointment:
The Committee considered and recommended to the
Board my appointment as Non-Executive Director and
Chair designate and the appointment of Paul Duffy
as Non-Executive Director and Remuneration
Committee Chair.
Committee Refreshment:
On appointment as Non-
Executive Director and Chair designate to the Board,
I was also appointed as member of the Committee and
Remuneration Committee on 02 May 2024, and was
appointed as Chair of the Committee on 10 October 2024
following the retirement from the Board of Michael
Cawley on the same date. Paul Duffy was appointed as
a member of the Audit Committee, Nomination
Committee and member and Chair of the Remuneration
Committee on 02 May 2024, with Carl G. Shepherd
(Senior Independent Director) stepping down as Chair
of the Remuneration Committee (but continuing as a
member of the Remuneration Committee) on the same
date. There were no other changes to the composition
of the Board Committees during 2024.
IE&D:
Supported by the Chief People Officer, the
Committee considered the Group’s policies and
objectives in respect of IE&D, its linkage to strategy,
how it was implemented and progress to-date on
achieving its objectives.
Succession Planning:
Reviewed succession planning
for the Board (including future Board refreshment)
and the Executive Leadership Team, with a particular
emphasis on CEO and CFO succession plans.
Talent Management:
Conducted a review of the
Group’s talent management programmes for key high
performers and provided oversight on related training
and development programmes being implemented.
Board Tenure:
In circumstances where Non-Executive
Directors are not permitted to serve more than three
terms of three years duration as a Director from their
appointment date unless exceptional circumstances
apply, the Committee continuously kept under review
the tenure of Non-Executive Directors’ and reviewed
potential departure dates. Details of the tenure of each
Non-Executive Director is set out in the Directors
Biographies section on pages 86 to 89.
Terms of Reference and Board Policy:
Reviewed its
Terms of Reference and the Company’s Board
Diversity Policy.
Corporate Reporting:
Consideration and approval of
the report of the Committee in the Company’s Annual
Report and Financial Statements for the year ended
31 December 2023 in Q1 2024.
I look forward to receiving your support at our 2025
AGM, where I will be available to answer any questions
that shareholders may have on this report or in relation
to any of the Committee’s activities. Alternatively, if
you have any questions on this report, please feel
free to contact me via the Company Secretary (email:
corporate@hostelworld.com
).
Ulrik Bengton
Ulrik Bengtsson
Chairman, Nomination Committee
19 March 2025
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Succession Planning – Non-Executive
Board Appointments
A Board succession review process commenced in
mid-2023 and a search began for new Non-Executive
Directors with the potential to take over as Chair following
the retirement of Michael Cawley from the Board at the
end of his nine-year term in late 2024. The exercise was
the focus of the Committee’s activities over the remainder
of 2023 and into 2024, with a number of Committee
meetings and calls over this period considering the
composition of the Board, Board tenure and succession,
and the Committee’s aspiration of complying with the
Parker and FTSE Women Leaders Reviews and the
Listing Rule targets and the Board’s intention to comply
with those targets. Based on a list compiled by an
executive search agency, several candidates were
interviewed during this period and their skills and
suitability discussed in various Committee meetings.
The Committee conducted an in-depth process in
connection with the appointment of Ulrik Bengtsson as
Non-Executive Director, Chair designate, and member
of the Remuneration Committee and Nomination
Committee, and the appointment of Paul Duffy as
Non-Executive Director, member and Chair of the
Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit
Committee and Nomination Committee. The process
culminated in the Committee recommending (and the
Board approving) these respective appointments which
took effect on 02 May 2024. The process for Ulrik’s
appointment involved an assessment by the Committee
(with input from the Executive Directors) of Ulrik’s skills,
experience, cultural fit, other time commitments and
potential conflicts of interest. Extensive consideration was
also given to the provisions of the Code of the attributes
required of a Board chair and a non-executive director,
and to the FRC’s
‘Guidance on Board Effectiveness’
as it relates to the required skills of a Board chair and
a non-executive director. The process for Paul Duffy’s
appointment also involved an assessment by the
Committee (with input from the Executive Directors)
of Paul’s skills, experience, cultural fit, other time
commitments and potential conflicts of interest. Similar
to the process for Ulrik’s appointment, consideration was
also given to the provisions of the Code of the particular
attributes required of a non-executive director, and
to the FRC’s
‘Guidance on Board Effectiveness’
as it
relates to the required skills of a non-executive director.
The part of the Committee meeting which resulted
in the appointment of Ulrik as Chair designate being
recommended to the Board was chaired by Carl G.
Shepherd, Senior Independent Director.
Details of the exception to the expectation set out in
Provision 20 of the Code that open advertising and/or
an external search consultancy should generally be
used for the appointment of the chair and non-executive
directors in the context of the Board appointment
process described above are set out on page 91.
The Committee considers that by applying the principles
of the Board Diversity Policy (with its requirement for
the Committee to have specific regard to Parker and
FTSE Women Leaders Reviews and the Listing Rules’
targets and the Board’s intention to meet these targets),
it ensures that a diverse pipeline of board candidates
will be available to the Company. See page 111 for
further details on the Board Diversity Policy and how
it was applied in connection with Board appointments
in 2024.
Appointment Process
Committee discussion of candidate specification
and required skill set
Consider recommendations through Board contacts
and advisers and/or search agency
Review a shortlist of potential candidates for
initial interviews with Committee members and
Executive Directors
Final proposal circulated
Committee recommends candidate to the Board
Induction programme organised by the
Company Secretary
Proposed election by shareholders at the first AGM
following appointment
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Nomination Committee Report
continued
Board Induction Programme
On joining the business, all newly appointed Board
members are provided with a tailored induction
programme organised by the Company Secretary and
approved by the Chair. The induction programme is
intentionally managed over a number of months and
is designed to bring a new Director up to speed on
the Company’s business, strategy, governance
structures and culture. Programmes are tailored to the
requirements of the individual and to ensure alignment
with the activities of the Committees the new Board
member has been appointed to. New Board members
are asked to present their observations from the
induction and on-boarding process to the Board after
an initial settling in period. New Board members also
have access to the support and service of the Company
Secretary who arranges access to the digital platform
used by the Board for Board papers, materials and
regulatory updates.
Succession Planning – Executive Directors
and Executive Leadership Team
Executive Directors
During the year, the Committee reviewed succession
plans for the CEO and CFO to ensure that changes to
the Executive Director positions are proactively planned
and co-ordinated. As part of this process, detailed role
profiling assessments were completed for both positions
to ensure the required capabilities of potential future
candidates were aligned to the requirements of the roles
and to both the strategy and culture of Hostelworld and
its status as a listed business.
Executive Leadership Team
During the reporting period, the Committee reviewed
succession plans for each member of the Group’s
Executive Leadership Team to ensure there is a diverse
supply of senior executives and potential future Board
members with the necessary skills and experience to
deliver the Group’s strategy. In addition, the Committee
welcomed the strengthening of the Group’s talent
pipeline with the appointment of Lissa Rao as Chief
Product Officer in 2024.
Key High Performers
The Committee receives periodic updates on talent
management programmes for senior executives and
key high performers to ensure there is a diverse
supply of senior executives and potential future Board
members with the necessary skills and experience to
deliver the Group’s strategy.
CASE
STUDY
Inducting a new
Non-Executive Director
On his formal appointment to the Board on 02 May 2024, Paul Duffy completed a comprehensive induction
programme designed to ensure he developed a clear understanding of the Hostelworld business, its stakeholders
and its culture. Over a number of months, Paul participated in the following series of induction engagements:
Introductory meeting with other non-executive
Board members.
Meetings with the CEO with particular emphasis on
strategy, operational KPIs and growth opportunities.
Meetings with the CFO with particular emphasis
on financial performance, financial accounting
processes and risk identification and management.
Meetings with each member of the Executive
Leadership Team.
Meetings with the statutory auditors and brokers.
Scheduled series of meetings with the Chief People
Officer with particular emphasis on remuneration
practices and compliance requirements affecting the
Company and understanding the internal values and
culture of Hostelworld.
Compliance training provided by the Company
Secretary on the Company’s governance structures
and responsibilities as a listed company, with particular
emphasis on directors’ duties and obligations in respect
of market abuse regulation compliance and the
requirements of s. 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006.
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Training
It is essential to the effective functioning of the
Company’s Board and Committees that the Company’s
Executive and Non-Executive Directors are aware of
recent and upcoming developments. All Directors are
required to keep their knowledge and skills up to date
and, as required, professional advisers are invited to
provide in-depth updates. Updates and training are not
reserved for legal and regulatory developments but aim
to cover a range of issues including online travel and
market trends, ESG developments, and developments
and innovation in technology. The Group’s Company
Secretary provides regular updates to the Board and
its Committees on legal and regulatory matters.
Each Director receives training on their duties under
section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006 as part of
their induction process.
The Audit Committee received training on the
programme of activities implemented to ensure
the Company complied with CSRD obligations
(expected to apply to the Group from 01 January
2025) and Market Abuse Regulation compliance.
The Audit Committee received an update on legal
developments in the areas of online regulation,
cyber-risk and security, employment law, and
capital markets compliance and the programme
of activities implemented by the Group to ensure
related compliance.
All Directors attended regular external briefing
sessions on topics relevant to their role as Directors.
Board and Committee Performance Review
and Re-Election of Directors
The results of the Board performance review and
Director appraisal process are set out on pages 114
and 115. The Committee recommended to the Board,
after evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge,
independence and experience of each Director,
that all Directors seek election or re-election (as
applicable) at the Company’s forthcoming AGM. The
Committee’s effectiveness was reviewed as part of the
Board performance review exercise. The Nomination
Committee and the Board considered the outcome of
the evaluation and are satisfied that the Nomination
Committee is performing effectively.
The Board’s Policy on Diversity
UK Listing Rule (UKLR) 6.6.6R(9)
The Board’s objective to drive the benefits of a diverse
executive leadership team and wider workforce is
underpinned by the Board’s Diversity Policy. Diversity
in terms of Board composition is considered in a broad
sense and includes age, gender, cultural background,
geographical diversity and business background in line
with the Company’s Board Diversity Policy. The Board
is particularly conscious of the recommendations of
both the Parker and FTSE Women Leaders Reviews and
the revised targets and ‘comply or explain’ reporting
requirements set out in the Listing Rules, and it is the
Board’s intention to strive to meet these targets on an
on-going basis. UKLR 6.6.6R(9) requires that listed
companies state in their annual reports whether they
have met the targets set out in that rule and, where
they have not met one or more of those targets, they
should identify them and explain their reasons for not
doing so. The Company did not meet the stipulated
40% target for female representation on the Board at
year end. As at 31 December 2024 and at the date of
publication, 29% of the Company’s Board members
were female. The Board also did not meet the stipulated
target of having at least one Board member from an
ethnic minority background. However, the Committee
is pleased that our Board remains compliant with the
target for one of the ‘key Board roles’ to be occupied by
a female Board member, with Caroline Sherry as CFO,
and that the Audit Committee continues to be chaired
by another female Board member, Éimear Moloney.
Explanation Against UKLR 6.6.6R(9)
The principal reason that we have not met all of the
targets is that the overriding priority across all Board
appointments remains, in accordance with our Board
Diversity Policy, appointment of the most suitable and
skilled candidates for the role on merit against objective
criteria while having specific regard to the benefits of
diversity. While a number of female candidates were
considered (and particular and careful regard was had to
the benefits of diversity) in connection with the process
resulting in the Board appointments in 2024 described
earlier in this report, ultimately the appointments were
recommended by the Committee and endorsed by
the Board on the basis that the successful candidates
were the most suitable and skilled candidates for the
respective roles based on objective criteria.
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Nomination Committee Report
continued
Details of our performance against these targets as at 31 December 2024 is as follows:
Number of
Board Members
Percentage of
the Board
Number of
senior positions
on the Board
(CEO, CFO, SID
and Chair)
Number in
Executive
Management
(1)
Percentage of
Executive
Management
(1)
Men
5
71.4%
3
6
75%
Women
2
28.6%
1
2
25%
Other categories
Not specified/prefer not to say
Number of
Board Members
Percentage of
the Board
Number of
senior positions
on the Board
(CEO, CFO, SID
and Chair)
Number in
Executive
Management
(1)
Percentage of
Executive
Management
(1)
White British or other White
(including minority-white groups)
7
100%
4
8
100%
Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups
Asian/Asian British
Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
Other ethnic group, including Arab
Not specified/ prefer not to say
(1)
Executive management comprises the members of the Executive Leadership Team (including Company Secretary).
The Company Secretary collects data on gender identity
and ethnicity directly from our Board using an IE&D Form
while gender identity and ethnicity data is self-reported
by members of Executive Management on the Group’s
online HR platform. All data is held securely in
compliance with data protection requirements.
The Board Diversity Policy sets out the approach to
diversity on the Board with the stated aim of having
a balanced Board that has the appropriate skills,
knowledge, experience and diversity for the needs of
the business. Diversity is considered in its broadest
sense and includes age, gender, education and
background. The explicit objectives of the Board
Diversity Policy are to (1) provide the basis for improving
the quality of decision-making on the Board by reducing
the risk of group think; and (2) ensure that the
possibilities for maximising the Company’s success and
achieving its strategic goals are optimised by having
the right skillsets and a breadth of perspectives on
the Board.
As part of the annual review of the effectiveness of the
Board, Committees and individual Directors, the
Diversity Policy requires the Nomination Committee to
specifically consider and assess the adequacy of the
diversity representation on the Board. This
assessment was made by the Committee during the
reporting period who confirmed that the Board was
considered sufficiently diverse in terms of its balance
of skills and experience.
The policy statement included in the Diversity Policy
provides that Board appointments are made on merit in
the context of the skills, experience, independence and
knowledge which the Board (as a whole) requires to be
effective, with the Board also recognising the benefits
of Board diversity and inclusion and being required to
have particular regard to the Parker and FTSE Women
Leaders Reviews and the Listing Rules’ targets on
diversity and inclusion. In this regard, it is the Boards
intention, as reflected in the Board Diversity Policy, to
endeavour to meet the Listing Rule targets in respect
of composition of both the Board and its Committees.
The Committee confirms that this policy was followed
during the year in the decisions to recommend the
future Chair, Remuneration Committee Chair and
Board appointments of Ulrik Bengtson and Paul Duffy.
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The Committee is fully supportive of having a diverse
Board and will continue to have particular and careful
regard to the benefits of diversity in the context of
succession planning and Board refreshment and
renewal going forward. In this regard, the Committee
will ensure that the recommended targets relating to
gender and ethnic diversity on the Board are central to
its considerations. The Committee also confirms that it
will ensure that future Board recruitment processes
are conducted in a manner that encourages candidate
diversity by requiring any external search consultancy
it uses to have published policies or adhere to codes
of practice that promote diversity, inclusion and equal
opportunity in its selection and sourcing of potential
Board candidates.
All Committee members are drawn from the Board.
Accordingly, the above policy considerations are
automatically taken into account when considering
Committee membership.
Diversity in the Group
In terms of diversity at a broader level, the Group
maintains an Inclusion, Equity and Diversity policy
(the “IE&D Policy”) which is overseen by the Committee
and applies to all staff. The IE&D Policy includes the
following key objectives:
Ensure that Hostelworld is representative of the
diverse society we live in and that our culture is
inclusive and provides equal opportunities for all.
A culture of learning about differences and
understanding the issues that minority groups
face in society and the workplace is created.
Ensure Hostelworld is a workplace where our
differences are celebrated, and our people feel
comfortable sharing their unique perspectives.
Where possible, ensure our external focused
activities reflect the diverse society we live in.
The Committee views the Group’s IE&D policies and
practices as being an essential means to ensure the
correct values and behaviours are implemented and
embedded in the business. The Committee conducted
an extensive review of the progress made by the Group
over 2024 on its IE&D strategy and was pleased to see
the Group’s efforts in this vital area recognised with the
awarding, in September 2024, of the Diversity in Tech
DE&I Special Initiative Recognition award. Details on how
the Group’s objectives on IE&D, as overseen by the
Committee, were progressed over the reporting period
are set out on pages 37 to 39 of the Strategic Report.
Details on the gender diversity of our wider leadership
team (and their direct reports) and other employees are
set out on page 39.
The Group continues to make progress on its
commitments to IE&D, although we recognise that it is
a continuous journey to ensure that we embed a culture
that promotes equality and dignity in our working
environment where all our people feel they belong.
The previous adoption of clear principles of IE&D in
respect of the Group’s hiring and recruitment practices
and their more recent inclusion into our leadership
development programmes is particularly important as
it sets the correct benchmark in terms of the Group’s
expected behaviours from both new employees
and future leaders of the business. The Nomination
Committee considers that the use of different employee
engagement channels to establish employees’ views
on the issue of IE&D remains vital, as insights from
different sources ensure that the adoption of diversity
and inclusion practices is based on complete information
and data and aligns with best practice (see pages 98
and 99 for further information on the different channels
used to engage with colleagues).
How our Policies on IE&D Links to Strategy
The most valuable asset the Group has is (and will
remain) its people, without whom the Company cannot
deliver on its strategy. By embracing and promoting IE&D
and ensuring we have a diverse workforce we enhance
the ability to execute on our strategic objectives by
achieving the following:
Ensure continuous innovation by avoiding ‘group think’
Increase productivity by attracting and retaining the
best people
Better serve our global hostel partners and traveller
customers by ensuring diversity in our workforce
reflects the diversity of these key stakeholders
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Nomination Committee Report
continued
Board, Committee and Director Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Board and its Committees is essential to the success of the Group. On an annual basis,
a questionnaire-based review process is undertaken which considers the effectiveness of the Board, its Committees
and individual Directors. The Company Secretary, in consultation with the Chair of the Board and Chairs of the
Committees, analyses the results of the performance review by reference to the scores given and the specific
observations made and improvements suggested, following which such results are presented to and discussed
by the Board and its Committees.The review identifies areas for improvement and highlights areas of expertise and
knowledge which are then considered in the context of training requirements and succession planning.
Progress Against 2023 Board Performance Review Actions
Set out below is the progress made in 2024 against actions identified as part of the 2023 Board effectiveness review:
Action
Progress
Continue the qualitative research and assessment of the
opinions of Hostelworld’s core customer groups (young
travellers and hostel owners) to further inform trading and
strategy discussions at Board level
Insights on the preferences and perspectives of these
core customer groups were used to inform Board
assessments of related strategic proposals
An enhanced focus to be applied on potential longer-term
strategy dynamics and trends impacting the Company
and resulting opportunities that may arise
An enhanced focus on long term strategy over the
reporting period with a specific Board meeting in
September 2024 dedicated to strategy development
Succession planning over 2024 should continue to be
a key focus area given the tenure of the majority of the
Company’s non-executive directors
Implementation of succession plans for non-executive
Board roles culminating in the appointments of Ulrik
Bengtsson and Paul Duffy
Continued focus to be applied on agreeing topics for
interactive and team-based discussion with the
Executive Directors and broader management team
The CEO and Chairman have scheduled meetings
between Board meeting dates to agree on topics
for team-based discussions at Board meetings
Board Performance Review 2024
Key Board Strengths
Areas to focus on in 2025
Board and Committees are effective, and the quality
of reports published by the Committees are of an
appropriate standard
Further Board time spent on potential longer-term strategy
dynamics and trends impacting the company and resulting
opportunities that may arise (AI, social media shaping travel
demand, new business opportunities, and emerging
consumer travel patterns)
External Board relationships with investors, auditors
and advisers are working effectively
Succession planning for Board and more generally in
the business over 2025 to be a key focus area (with
due regard to the benefits of diversity)
Board meets with a sufficiently wide cross section of
the ELT on a regular basis
Ensure the internal Board relationships are working
effectively following the appointment of a new Chair,
Remuneration Committee Chair and Non-Executive
Director in 2024
Sufficient and timely updates are provided to the Board
on governance and regulatory matters
Consider opportunities for more engagement between
Board members and the workforce
Company identifies and manages risks (including climate
change related risks) effectively and there are good
processes for identifying and reviewing principal risks
Continue to promote the Company’s culture and values
and ensure the culture is embedded
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The Chairman also conducted an appraisal of the
performance of each Director (considering the views
of the other Directors) and reported that each Director
continues to perform effectively and demonstrates
commitment to the role. As part of the appraisal exercise,
the Chairman assessed the individual and collective
depth and breadth of skills, experience and knowledge
of the Non-Executive Directors and concluded that these
were adequate to enable the Board and its Committees
to discharge their respective duties and responsibilities
effectively. Led by the Senior Independent Director, an
assessment of the new Chairman’s performance in the
short period following his October 2024 appointment
was carried out which confirmed that the Chairman was
performing effectively in his role.
External Performance Review Assessment
Consistent with prior years, the Board considered the
benefits of having a Board performance review exercise
performed by an external third-party consultant but
elected not to do so in circumstances where the
performance review process proposed by the Company
Secretary and approved by the Chairman was
comprehensive, confirmed by an external governance
lawyer as being appropriate and consistent with the
requirements of the Code, being for the Chairman to
consider having an externally facilitated review, and
was fully aligned with the published guidelines of the
Financial Reporting Council during the year under review.
Fuse Beachside Hoi An, Hoi An, Vietnam
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Flock Hostel, Kathmandu Nepal
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Responsible Oversight, Delivering Confidence
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference of the Audit
Committee, which were reviewed during
2024, are available on the Company’s
website at
www.hostelworldgroup.com
.
Key Responsibilities
Monitor the integrity of the financial
statements of the Group and Company in
its yearly and half-yearly reports, including
critical judgements in applying the Group’s
accounting policies, key sources of
estimation uncertainty, and the information
supporting the financial statements being
prepared on a going concern basis.
Assess whether the Annual Report,
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and
understandable, facilitating shareholders
assessment of the Group’s position and
performance, business model and strategy.
Review the adequacy and effectiveness
of the Group’s internal control framework.
Monitor the effectiveness of the Group’s
risk management systems and procedures,
the identification of principal and emerging
risks and complete an assessment of the
Group’s Risk Register and the climate
related risks and opportunities impacting
the Group. Complete focused reviews on
particular areas of risk.
Perform an annual review of compliance
with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
Assess the Group’s compliance with
sustainability reporting frameworks
and disclosures.
Monitor and review the effectiveness of
the internal audit function, with PwC.
Monitor and review the effectiveness of
Group external auditors, KPMG, review
their independence and approve their
remuneration, including any non-audit fees.
4. Audit, Risk and Internal Control –
Principles M-O of the 2018 Code
Audit Committee Report
Éimear Moloney
Audit Committee Chair
Committee members and meeting attendance:
Membership
No. of scheduled meetings/
total no. of scheduled meetings held
when the Director was a member
Attendance %
Éimear Moloney
4/4
100%
Paul Duffy
(1)
3/3
100%
Carl G. Shepherd
4/4
100%
Evan Cohen
4/4
100%
(1)
Paul Duffy was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee on 02 May 2024.
See pages 86 to 89 for further information on current Audit Committee members.
Committee Composition
Appointments to the Committee are for a period of up to three years, which
may be extended for two further periods of up to three years. The Audit
Committee’s composition complies with the requirements of the Code.
The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee. The CFO
attends each meeting, and other representatives from the Group as required
including the CTO, the Head of Security and the DPO.
The Board is also satisfied that all Committee members are independent, have
the competence and broad experience relevant to the online travel sector
in addition to a diverse range of skills, experience and expertise to ensure
meaningful and effective contribution to the Audit Committee and that the
committee chair Éimear Moloney, B.A. Accounting and Finance, FCA, has
appropriate recent and relevant financial experience.
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Audit Committee Report
continued
Dear Shareholder
As Chair of the Audit Committee, I am pleased to present
this report setting out the work of the Audit Committee
for the year ended 31 December 2024 including primary
activities of the Committee and detail on how the
Committee discharged its responsibilities across 2024.
The Committee plays an important role in ensuring the
Group’s financial integrity through oversight of the
financial reporting process, including the risk and control
systems, including general IT controls, which underlie that
process. Throughout the year the Committee focused
on the issues most relevant for the financial statements
including business performance, assessing key
judgments and ensuring the overall quality of the
related disclosures.
As Audit Chair, I regularly meet with the CFO on matters
including business performance, strategy and areas of
risk and mitigation of same. A key focus across 2024 was
compliance with the TCFD sustainability regulations and
a focus on the Group’s readiness to comply with the
CSRD regulations. In 2024 we proactively prepared
for CSRD compliance, completing double materiality
assessments and gap analysis, ahead of the expected
01 January 2025 compliance date. The EU’s subsequent
simplification in February 2025 has placed us outside
the current CSRD scope, due to Hostelworld having
less than 1,000 employees. We will continue to track
regulatory changes and adapt our reporting as necessary.
During the year I also requested specific updates to the
Committee from subject matter experts including the
DPO on data security, the CTO on the emerging risk for
artificial intelligence and the Head of Security on cyber
risk. The purpose of these updates was to ensure the
Committee had a comprehensive overview of the risks
associated with these topics and to assess the mitigating
controls management have put in place.
I regularly engage with PwC, the Group Internal Auditors,
and KPMG, the external statutory auditors. The details of
these engagements are set out within the Committee
report including the Committees assessment of the
independence of these functions.
Following each Audit Committee meeting, I ensure the
Committee communicates the main discussion points
and findings to the Board.
I look forward to receiving your support at our 2025 AGM,
where I will be available to answer any questions that
shareholders may have on this report or in relation to any
of the Audit Committee’s activities. Alternatively, if you
have any questions, please feel free to contact me via the
Company Secretary (email:
corporate@hostelworld.com
).
Éimear Moloney
Éimear Moloney
Chair, Audit Committee
19 March 2025
Principal Activities Completed during 2024:
Audit Committee Activities:
March
2024
August
2024
October
2024
December
2024
Financial Control
Review and approve preliminary results
Consider key audit accounting issues and judgements
Review correspondence with the Irish Auditing and
Accounting Supervisory Authority (“IASSA”)
Approve the liquidity position of the Group and the appropriateness
of the going concern assumption in preparing financial statements
Approve the viability statement prepared relating to the Group
Consider accounting policies and the impact of new accounting standards
on the Group
Review the Annual Report and Interim Statement and confirm if the reports
are fair, balanced and understandable
Approve the Annual Report and the Interim Statement
for signing by the Group’s Executive Directors
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Audit Committee Activities:
March
2024
August
2024
October
2024
December
2024
Risk Management
Review the principal and emerging risk register assessment
prepared by the Hostelworld team, including processes to complete
Review sustainability reporting for the group including:
TCFD workplans and assessments completed by management
Group risk and opportunity register
Climate scenario analysis
CSRD compliance roadmap and processes underpinning the double
materiality assessment prepared by management
Review security updates from the Group’s Head of IT Security, and related risk
dashboards to monitor threats to the Group’s IT environment
Review a report on the impact of artificial intelligence on the Group,
policies being constructed and the management of the emerging risk area
Review business continuity plans in place
Review the effectiveness of the Group’s antibribery and fraud procedures
Receive and review reports from the DPO
Complete a review of financial, compliance, operational and IT control framework
Monitor Group whistleblowing procedures and reports
Internal Audit
Review and approve internal audit plan, taking account of the
Group Principal Risk Register and related risk management processes.
Review results of internal audits completed during the year
and monitor progress on open actions and findings
-
-
Committee meeting with internal audit, without attendance
of the senior management of the Group
Complete evaluation of internal audit function and effectiveness
of internal control systems
External Audit
Consider external audit plan presented by KPMG and discuss the
critical accounting policies and judgements that had been applied
Confirm auditor independence and objectivity
Complete evaluation of external statutory audit function
Approve auditor engagement fees for audit services provided,
and if relevant any non-audit services engaged (none provided)
Committee meeting with external audit, without attendance of the
senior management of the Group
Receive a report from the external auditors on the results of the
financial statement and IT audit and consider any errors or internal
control recommendations arising
Review management representation letter requested from the
external auditors for any non-standard issues and monitor action
taken by management as a result of any recommendations
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Audit Committee Report
continued
Critical Judgements in applying the Group’s Accounting Policies, and Key Sources of
Estimation Uncertainty
In respect of the year ended 31 December 2024, the Audit Committee considered key areas in which estimates or
judgements had been applied in the preparation of the financial statements including, but not limited to, the significant
issues below. At each meeting during the year the Audit Committee received a paper from management assessing
each critical judgement and key sources of estimation uncertainty impacting the Group.
Significant Issue
Assessment
Development
Labour
The Group incurs significant internal costs in respect of the ongoing development and modernisation
of its IT systems and enabling its social orientated growth strategy. The accounting for these costs
as either development costs, which are capitalised as intangibles, or expenses as they are incurred,
involves judgement. The Audit Committee has reviewed management’s application of the accounting
policy adopted and the assessment as to whether current projects meet the criteria required for costs
to be capitalised (including feasibility of completion, intention to complete, probable economic benefits,
availability of resources to complete, and ability to measure expenditure). The Audit Committee considers
the approach taken and the application of the policy to be appropriate.
Carrying Value
of Goodwill and
Intangible Assets
The estimated recoverable value of the Group’s goodwill and intangible assets is subjective due to
inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting and discounting future cash flows. The Audit Committee
reviewed valuations prepared on the Group’s goodwill and intangible assets carrying value. The Audit
Committee reviewed the methodology applied including ensuring that the discount rates used were
appropriate, that the assessment of a singular CGU was appropriate and reviewed the sensitivity analysis
performed on key assumptions including the Group’s growth and discount rates. The Audit Committee are
satisfied with the headroom included in the valuation models and disclosures set out in the Annual Report.
Deferred Tax
Recoverability
The Audit Committee has reviewed the Group’s ability to recover deferred tax assets recognised, the
headroom included within the modelling and sensitivity analysis. The losses and timing differences
which relate to the deferred tax assets recognised do not expire. As a result of their review, the Audit
Committee are satisfied with the carrying value at 31 December 2024 and the disclosures made in
the Annual Report.
Going Concern
The Audit Committee reviewed the Going Concern and Viability Statement prior to recommending them
for approval by the Board. The Group’s assessment of viability is set out on page 73 and the Directors’
assessment of going concern is set out within note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on
page 169. This review included assessing the effectiveness of the process undertaken by the Directors
to evaluate going concern, including any scenario analysis performed on budgeting assumptions and
considered the impact of climate change and geopolitical unrest. The Audit Committee also considered
in their assessment the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group and the impact on the Group’s
financials should they realise.
The Audit Committee and the Board consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of
accounting with no material uncertainties as to the Group’s ability to continue to do so.
Assessment of Annual Report and
Financial Statements: Fair Balanced
and Understandable
The Audit Committee received copies of the Annual
Report during the drafting stage and provided feedback
to the Hostelworld team. The Annual Report process
is designed to give the Audit Committee and Board
appropriate time to review including assessing whether
it is fair, balanced and understandable, as required by
the Code. In their review, the Audit Committee also
considered whether the Annual Report contained the
necessary information for shareholders to assess the
Group’s results and performance, business model and
strategy. In particular, the Audit Committee considered
if the Annual Report fairly reflected the challenging
economic backdrop of 2024 driving a reduction in
average booking values and revenue, the future
strategic direction of the Group and whether the
TCFD sustainability disclosures included were accurate
and complete.
In their assessment the Audit Committee also took into
account weekly reporting from management on trading
performances and KPIs, discussions with and audit
summary documents obtained from external auditors
KPMG and reports prepared by the CFO and Company
Secretary on compliance with key regulations and on key
areas of judgement and areas of estimation uncertainty.
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The Audit Committee is satisfied that on balance, the
Annual Report represents an accurate and fair narrative
of the key events of 2024, both positive and negative,
and the strategy as approved by the Board. The Audit
Committee is also satisfied that the narrative in the
strategic report and governance sections of the Annual
Report is also consistent with the financial reporting
contained in the financial statements.
External Auditors
The Group’s external auditor is KPMG, Brian MacSweeney
is the signing audit partner and 2024 was the second
year of the KPMG engagement.
Across 2024 the Committee continued to review the
quality of the KPMG external audit and provided oversight
in relation to the external auditor’s relationship with the
Group including agreeing the external auditor’s terms
of engagement and level of remuneration, monitoring
their independence, objectivity and approach to quality,
assessing the quality of the external audit plan and
reviewing the content of the audit summary papers.
The audit summary papers comprise the key findings
from KPMG and was presented in March 2025 prior to
the finalisation of the Annual Report. Their presentation
included a schedule of unadjusted errors and
misstatements (none noted), any control deficiencies
(none noted) and their work completed on significant
judgements and estimations and key areas of risk.
The Audit Committee also reviewed and agreed the
Letter of Representation. Ultimately the Committee
concluded that the work completed by KPMG was of
high standard and were satisfied with the expertise
and resources available.
During the year the Audit Committee met with the
external auditor without management being present to
provide the opportunity for direct dialogue between
the Audit Committee and KPMG.
Non-Audit Fees
To ensure no impact to audit independence and
objectivity, the Group and Company has in place a policy
on the provision of non-audit services. Under the
policy, except in exceptional circumstances, non-audit
fees to the audit firm should not exceed 70% of the
total amount of the audit fee for the current financial
year. Non-audit work with an expected cost in excess
of €30,000 must be subject to competitive tender
and approved by the Audit Committee. During 2024
and 2023, KPMG provided no non-audit services to
the Group.
Internal Audit
The role of the internal audit function is to provide
independent and objective assurance, advice and
insight on governance, risk management and internal
controls to the Board, Audit Committee and the Group.
The primary reporting of the internal audit function is
outsourced to PwC. The Audit Committee considers that
PwC continue to be independent and effective, and is
satisfied with the quality, experience and expertise of
PwC as its internal auditor.
In 2024, the Audit Committee received one report from
PwC covering the readiness of the Group to comply with
CSRD regulations, and the controls and framework in
place underpinning the double materiality assessment
completed by the Group in 2024. In addition, the
Committee obtained a report from industry leading
security specialist, who was familiar with Hostelworld
technology systems and structures, detailing a simulation
exercise they completed to assess the Group’s incident
management processes. The simulation was focused
on cyber security and business continuity and the
Group’s readiness to respond to an incident.
In their review the Audit Committee consider the
results of the audits undertaken and the adequacy of
management’s response to matters raised, including
the time taken to resolve such matters. There were no
open findings at year end relating to prior internal audit
reviews performed.
In March 2024 the Audit Committee reviewed and
agreed the internal audit plan for 2025 with PwC
following consultation between PwC and the Group’s
senior management, which the Audit Committee
believes is appropriate to the scope and nature of the
Group’s activities.
Risk Management
Overall responsibility for risk management is with the
Board. The Audit Committee assists the Board by taking
delegated responsibility for risk identification and
assessment, in addition to reviewing the effectiveness
of the Group’s risk management and internal control
frameworks and making recommendations to the Board
thereon. Effective risk management underpins the
Group’s operating, financial and governance activities.
The Group’s approach to risk is to manage, rather
than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business
objectives and provide reasonable, but not absolute,
assurance against material misstatement or loss.
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Audit Committee Report
continued
In 2024 the Audit Committee performed two detailed
assessments of the principal and emerging risks faced
by the Group within the Group Risk Register. The Audit
Committee received presentations from the CFO and
from Group functional leads across cyber security and
technology, legal and data protection, financial reporting
and taxation. Proactive attention is given to key risks
where the probability of occurrence and extent of
impact are elevated by the consequences of geopolitical
conflicts, climate change and a deteriorating global
economic outlook. The Group Risk Register are those
that could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s
prospects, business model, its financial condition,
reputation, and the results of its operations. The
assessment included a description of the impact of the
risk materialising for the Group, how the Group manages
and mitigates against the risk and the direction of change
in the risk profile during 2024. Further detail on the risk
identification process and the principal and emerging
risks impacting the Group is set out within Principal Risks
and Uncertainties on pages 62 to 72.
The Audit Committee also received two presentations
in 2024 from the ESG Steerco led by the CFO, on
current and anticipated future ESG reporting obligations
related to TCFD and CSRD. These presentations
provided the Committee with the opportunity to assess
the principal climate related risks and opportunities
impacting the Group, to review the control and reporting
frameworks being put in place to comply with CSRD
and to validate the sustainability related disclosures
within the Annual Report. Further detail is set out within
the Sustainability Report on pages 42 to 61.
The Audit Committee also received reports of reviews
undertaken by the Group internal auditors, PwC, and
the external auditors, KPMG, which include details of
outcomes of tests performed on the effectiveness of
the controls of the Group over significant risk areas
and key financial reporting cycles.
The Committee continue to be satisfied that the Group’s
risk management framework remains appropriate and
effective and has reported this opinion to the Board.
Internal Control
The focus and design of the Group’s internal control
environment is to identify, evaluate, mitigate and monitor
the principal and emerging risks faced by the business,
and to report such risks to the Board in a timely manner
acknowledging that elimination of all risk is not feasible.
Key elements of the Group’s ongoing controls include:
An organisational structure with clearly defined lines
of responsibility, delegation of authority amongst
the Group management, and a formal schedule of
matters specifically reserved for decisions by the
Board is maintained.
A comprehensive annual strategy and budgeting
process, which are reviewed and approved by
the Board, together with a list of key risks
and opportunities.
Monitoring of performance against budgets and
forecasts, and reporting of variance analysis and
key performance indicators to the Board.
Internal control systems and procedures to implement
and monitor the use of these delegated authorities
and capital expenditure controlled by budgetary
processes in line with authorisation levels.
Robust systems by which the Group’s financial
statements are prepared, which included
assessment of key financial reporting risks arising
through complexity of transactions, changes to the
business, and changes in accounting standards.
A culture of continuous learning and development,
with 2024 focus areas related to testing of business
continuity plans with individual teams, e-learnings on
fraudulent payments specifically designed for the
finance function, anti-money laundering and cyber
security, and phishing reviews to assess fraud
awareness levels in the business units.
An experienced and suitably qualified finance
function that is fully conversant with the operations
of the business.
A Code of Conduct setting out behavioural and
ethical standards, supported by clear anti-bribery
and corruption guidelines, and a whistleblowing
policy with an external independent hotline is well
documented and understood.
An Internal Audit function which independently
reviews key business processes and controls and
their effectiveness.
The Audit Committee, which approves audit plans,
monitors performance against plans and deals with
significant control issues raised by internal or
external audit.
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In March 2025 the Audit Committee completed a detailed
review of the operation of each key control impacting
financial statement disclosures. The Committee continue
to be satisfied that the Group’s internal controls
environment remains appropriate and effective and has
reported this opinion to the Board.
Annual Evaluation of Performance
The performance of the Audit Committee was assessed
as part of the broader Board evaluation process in relation
to its Terms of Reference, composition, procedures,
contribution and effectiveness. The results concluded
that the Audit Committee continues to operate effectively
in line with the requirements of its Terms of Reference
and that the role and remit of the Audit Committee
remains appropriate in the current economic and risk
climate and with regards to the needs of the Group.
Che Zipolite Hostel & Naked Beach Club, Zipolite, Mexico
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Len Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
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Setting policy aligned to strategic objectives
Terms of Reference
The terms of reference for the
Remuneration Committee, which
were reviewed during 2024, are
available on the Company’s website
at
www.hostelworldgroup.com
.
Key Responsibilities
Determine and agree with the Board the
framework and policy for remuneration
of the Executive Directors and the
Executive Leadership Team (including
the Company Secretary).
Determine, within the agreed policy,
individual total compensation packages
for the Executive Directors and the
Executive Leadership Team (including
the Company Secretary) annually, and
consider, where necessary, internal and
external measures.
Determine the compensation for the
Chairman of the Board.
Ensure that remuneration policies and
practices support strategy, promote
long-term sustainable success, and that
executive remuneration is aligned to the
Company’s purpose and values.
Review the ongoing appropriateness and
relevance of the remuneration policy.
Engage with the workforce to explain
how executive remuneration aligns with
wider company pay policy, and review
workforce remuneration and related
policies and the alignment of incentives
and rewards with culture.
Determine, within the agreed policy, any
employee share-based incentive awards
and any performance conditions to be
used for such awards.
Approve targets and assess the
achievement of performance conditions
required for the payment of annual
bonuses and benefits under any
performance-related pay schemes.
Determine the achievement of
performance conditions for the vesting
of Long-Term Incentive Plans.
Review the design of all share incentive
plans for approval by the Board
and shareholders.
Prepare the Directors’ Remuneration
Report annually.
5. Remuneration – Principles P-R of the 2018 Code
Remuneration Committee Report
Paul Duffy
Remuneration Committee Chair
Committee members and meeting attendance:
Membership
No. of scheduled meetings/
total no. of scheduled meetings held
when the Director was a member
Attendance %
Paul Duffy
(1)
(Committee Chair from 02 May 2024)
2/2
100%
Carl G. Shepherd
(2)
(Committee Chair until 02 May 2024)
6/6
100%
Éimear Moloney
6/6
100%
Evan Cohen
6/6
100%
Ulrik Bengtsson
(1)
2/2
100%
Michael Cawley
(1)
5/5
100%
(1)
Paul Duffy was appointed as a member and Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 02 May 2024.
Ulrik Bengtsson was appointed as a member of the Remuneration Committee on 02 May 2024.
Michael Cawley resigned from the Board and the Remuneration Committee on 10 October 2024.
(2)
Carl G. Shepherd stepped down as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 02 May 2024 (but
continues to be a member of the Committee).
See pages 86 to 89 for further information on current Remuneration Committee members.
Committee Composition
The Remuneration Committee is comprised of Paul Duffy (Chair of the
Remuneration Committee since 02 May 2024), Éimear Moloney, Carl G.
Shepherd and Evan Cohen (all of whom are independent Non-Executive
Directors) and Ulrik Bengtsson (who was independent upon his appointment
as Chairman of the Board on 10 October 2024).
Appointments to the Committee are for a period of up to three years,
which may be extended for two further periods of up to three years. The
Remuneration Committee’s composition complies with the requirements of
the Code. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee. The
Remuneration Committee receives assistance from the CEO, CFO, Chief
People Officer and Company Secretary, who attend meetings by invitation,
except when issues relating to their own remuneration are being discussed.
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continued
Dear Shareholder,
As the new Chair of the Remuneration Committee, I am
pleased to present the Company’s Remuneration Report
for the year ended 31 December 2024. I was privileged
to take on the role of leading the Committee following
my appointment to the Board in May 2024, and I am
delighted that we continue to benefit from the knowledge
and experience of my predecessor, Carl G. Shepherd,
as a member of the Committee. I would also like to
thank the other current Committee members for their
contributions during the year and express my particular
gratitude to Michael Cawley, who served as a valued
member of the Committee during his time leading the
Hostelworld Board.
Key Activities of the Remuneration
Committee in 2024
The Remuneration Committee held 6 meetings during
2024 and, among other things, undertook the
following activities:
Finalised the 2023 Directors’ Remuneration Report.
Determined the 2024 salary increases for the CEO
and other members of the Executive Leadership Team,
as reported last year (the CFO’s salary increase
having been agreed in 2023).
Considered and recommended to the Board the
remuneration for the Chair designate to take effect
from the date of his succession to the role of Board
Chairman on 10 October 2024.
Confirmed the extent of performance achievement
and the payments under the annual cash bonus
scheme for 2023.
Confirmed the 100% vesting outcome for the Long-
Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) award made in 2021.
Finalised the terms of the Directors’ Remuneration
Policy, for which shareholder approval was sought
(and received) at the AGM held in May 2024.
Agreed the performance conditions to apply to the
cash bonus scheme to operate in 2024, and those
to apply to the LTIP grant made in May 2024.
Considered the remuneration issues raised in
Provisions 32-41 of the UK Corporate Governance
Code and assessed the Company’s compliance
with these Provisions.
Reviewed overall workforce remuneration and related
policies and considered the alignment of Executive
Director pay with wider Company practices.
Engaged with the wider workforce on relevant matters,
including those relating to executive remuneration.
Prior to the financial year end, determined the 2025
salary increases for the CEO and CFO.
Subsequent to the financial year end, the Remuneration
Committee met to agree the 2025 salaries for the
remaining members of the Executive Leadership Team,
review and determine the final outturn of the 2024
annual bonus scheme, agree the provisional vesting
level of the 2022 Restricted Share Award, agree the
performance conditions to apply to the cash bonus
scheme to operate in 2025, agree the targets for the
LTIP award to be granted in 2025, and approve the
contents of this Directors’ Remuneration Report.
Executive Remuneration in 2024
The Committee was pleased to receive 98% support
from shareholders for the new Directors’ Remuneration
Policy at the AGM in May 2024. As explained in last
year’s report, a key feature of the new Policy was the
reintroduction of annual LTIP awards with three-year
performance targets in light of the greater degree of
stability in the business and better forward-looking
visibility over future performance levels. Following
shareholder approval of the new Policy, LTIP awards
were granted to the Executive Directors and other key
employees, with performance targets based on absolute
TSR (70% weighting) and adjusted EPS (30% weighting).
These awards will vest in 2027 based on performance
achieved up to the end of 2026.
The cash bonus scheme for 2024 was based on the
same performance measures and weightings as applied
in 2023, namely adjusted EBITDA (70% weighting) and
net revenue (30% weighting). Based on the performance
achieved against the targets set in the earlier part of
the year, there was a partial payout under the bonus
scheme. The Remuneration Committee decided that this
was a fair reflection of overall business performance and
did not exercise any discretion to adjust the outcome.
Payments to the Executive Directors were equivalent
to 42% of basic salary for the CEO and 38% of basic
salary for the CFO. The Remuneration Committee has
agreed that the bonus payments for the CEO and CFO
will be paid into their respective pensions, at no extra
cost to the Company. Full details of the 2024 bonus
scheme, including the specific performance targets
which applied for the year, can be found on page 144.
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The Remuneration Committee has also considered the
vesting level of the 2022 Restricted Share Award. This
award was granted in May 2022, following shareholder
approval of a new Directors’ Remuneration Policy to
replace standard LTIP awards for 2022 and 2023.
The award vests in May 2025 subject to continued
employment and the Committee being satisfied with
individual and Company performance over the three-
year vesting period. Although the vesting period has not
yet ended, the Committee has determined to recognise
the value of the 2022 Restricted Share Award in the
single total figure table of Directors’ remuneration for
2024. This is consistent with the approach taken for
awards of restricted shares by many other UK-listed
companies which operate similar models and reflects
the completion by December 2024 of a substantial
portion of the overall vesting period (with the Committee
being satisfied that the performance underpin had been
met). The Company’s overall performance has been
positive since the grant of the award in May 2022, as
reflected in share price growth since that time, and both
Executive Directors have demonstrated a strong level
of individual performance over the relevant period.
As a result, the Committee has made a provisional
assessment that the 2022 Restricted Share Award will
vest in full in May 2025. Should the situation be different
as at the actual date of vesting, the vesting level will
be adjusted accordingly, with full details provided in
next year’s report. The vested awards will be subject
to a two-year post-vesting holding period.
There are no other long-term incentive awards due to
vest during 2025.
Implementation of the Remuneration Policy
in 2025
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy as approved in
2024 will continue to operate for 2025. The
Remuneration Committee has agreed basic salary
increases of 3% for the Executive Directors for 2025.
This is lower than the average increase across the
wider workforce of 6.3% for the year, which includes
merit, promotion related, and market adjustment
increases. Pension and benefits provision will remain
unchanged for the Directors.
The CEO and the CFO will be eligible for cash bonuses
up to a maximum value of 125% of basic salary and
100% of basic salary, respectively, the same levels as
applied in 2024. Payment will again depend on the
achievement of challenging targets linked to adjusted
EBITDA and net revenue, which remain key financial
indicators for the Group. The targets have been set
considering the budget for 2025 and expected
performance levels over the year and are considered
appropriately stretching. The specific targets are
currently considered commercially confidential but will
be disclosed in full in next year’s report.
LTIP awards will be granted in 2025 at levels of 125% of
basic salary for the CEO and 100% of basic salary for
the CFO, the same grant sizes as 2024. The headline
performance measures will remain unchanged, with
an ongoing focus on absolute TSR (70% weighting)
and adjusted EPS (30% weighting). The specific
targets for the 2025 LTIP awards are set out on
pages 144 and 145. The awards will include a two-
year post-vesting holding period and the Directors
will remain subject to the shareholding guidelines set
out in the Remuneration Policy.
The Committee has again considered whether either the
cash bonus scheme and/or the LTIP should include an
element linked to the achievement of non-financial
performance measures, including ESG metrics. The
Committee has concluded that the exclusive focus on
financial measures in both short and long-term incentive
schemes remains appropriate for 2025. The measures
chosen – adjusted EBITDA and net revenue for the
annual bonus scheme, and absolute TSR and adjusted
EPS for the LTIP – are all key indicators of financial
performance which are closely monitored by the Board,
by management, by shareholders and by other market
participants. At the current time, no compelling case
has been made for reducing the focus on these key
measures by introducing non-financial performance
conditions. The Committee will continue to keep this
matter under close review.
Remuneration for the wider
Hostelworld Group
The Remuneration Committee regularly reviews
remuneration practices across the wider Group and
considers the alignment between the pay policy for
the Executive Directors and that for others in the
organisation. After a number of years without bonuses,
the payment of a bonus in early 2024 in respect of
2023 was a testament to the success of the entire
organisation in driving improved levels of performance
across the business and was positively received by
colleagues within the business. Senior colleagues also
received grants under the LTIP in 2024, with vesting
subject to the same performance conditions as apply
to the Executive Directors. This aligns a broad group of
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continued
employees with financial performance targets which
are closely tied to enhanced shareholder returns and
business success.
Further details of wider workforce remuneration during
the year are set out on pages 142 and 143.
UK Corporate Governance Code
The Company currently reports against the provisions
of the UK Corporate Governance Code as published in
2018 (the “Code”). The 2024 version of the UK Corporate
Governance Code will apply to the Company with
effect from the start of the 2025 financial year (with
the exception of the new Provision 29), and we will
report against this new version (other than in respect
of Provision 29) in next year’s report.
The Committee is of the view that the Directors’
Remuneration Policy and its implementation is fully
consistent with the Remuneration Principles in the
Code, with the growth strategy of the business
encouraged by the use of incentive schemes which are
focused on financial outperformance. The business’s
purpose is based around inspiring people through
travel. Hostelworld is a key player in the growing travel
market and executive remuneration rewards our ability
to expand the hostelling category and capture further
growth for the benefit of shareholders and other
stakeholders. The business has a number of core values,
central to which are a focus on putting the customer
first (critical for our ability to enhance our reputation and
grow the business), prioritising simplicity over complexity
and working well together as a team. These values are
reflected in executive remuneration by, among other
things, the growth which will result from focusing on
the customer, a simple approach to pay design and
the performance focus across the entire company.
Hostelworld continues to comply with the Code’s
remuneration provisions, with two exceptions. Details
of these Code exceptions and explanations for
non-compliance are set out on pages 90 and 91.
The Policy and its implementation is also aligned with
the factors set out in Provision 40 of the Code:
Clarity:
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy and the way
it is implemented is clearly disclosed in this Annual
Statement and the supporting reports provide full
transparency of all elements of Directors’ remuneration
for the year under review.
Simplicity:
The Policy is relatively straightforward
and aligned to conventional market practice. Fixed
remuneration is complemented with an annual cash
bonus scheme and a three-year performance-based
long-term equity award.
Risk:
The Policy involves performance-based incentives
which are agreed by the Remuneration Committee
following extensive discussion. Targets are designed
to be stretching but are not intended to encourage
the taking of risks. There are suitable governance
protections within the Policy, such as malus and
clawback provisions and the Committee’s ability to
operate a discretionary override.
Predictability:
The Policy includes full details of the
individual limits in place for the pay schemes. Any
discretion exercised by the Committee in implementing
the Policy will be fully disclosed. The Committee did
not exercise any discretion in respect of Directors’
remuneration in 2024.
Proportionality:
The link between the delivery of
strategy and long-term performance and the
remuneration of the Executive Directors is set out in
this Annual Statement, the Directors’ Remuneration
Policy and the Annual Report on Remuneration. This
has been enhanced with the reversion to long-term
performance-based awards under the LTIP with effect
from 2024.
Alignment to culture:
The approach to Directors’
remuneration is consistent with key Group cultural
tenets of transparency, inclusion and performance.
We have closely aligned the pay structures for Directors
with those in place elsewhere in the Company as we
seek to retain and motivate key talent at all levels.
This is reflected, for example, in the structure of the
cash bonus scheme which restarted in 2023 and the
inclusion of a number of senior leaders within the LTIP.
The Remuneration Committee engaged with the wider
workforce during the financial year through Evan Cohen,
the designated Non-Executive Director responsible for
employee engagement. This engagement covered a
wide number of issues relating to pay practices across
the Company and also included a discussion of the
way in which executive remuneration aligns with wider
Group policies.
Following each meeting, the Remuneration Committee
communicates its main discussion points and findings
to the Board.
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Structure of this Report
This report has been prepared in accordance with the
relevant UK reporting regulations, the Listing Rules and
the UK Corporate Governance Code. The report is
divided into three parts:
This Annual Statement
A summary of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
which was approved by shareholders at the AGM in
May 2024
The Annual Report on Remuneration, which sets out
payments made to the Directors and details the link
between Company performance and remuneration
for the 2024 financial year. The Annual Report on
Remuneration together with this Annual Statement
is subject to the standard advisory shareholder vote
at the forthcoming AGM.
In addition, at the AGM we will be seeking separate
shareholder approval for our LTIP rules. The existing
rules were approved in 2015 and have reached the
end of their ten-year life. The new rules substantively
replicate the 2015 rules, although we have reviewed
the detail and made some minor wording changes and
amendments to bring the rules into line with current
market practice. The individual limits in the rules are
unchanged and all awards to be made to the Executive
Directors under the LTIP will remain consistent with the
terms of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. A summary
of the new rules is included in the explanatory notes to
the Notice of AGM.
I look forward to receiving your support at our 2025
AGM, where I will be available to answer any questions
that shareholders may have on this report or in relation
to any of the Remuneration Committee’s activities.
Alternatively, if you have any questions on this report or
more generally in relation to remuneration at Hostelworld,
please feel free to contact me via the Company Secretary
(email:
corporate@hostelworld.com
).
Paul Duffy
Paul Duffy
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
19 March 2025
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Directors’ Remuneration Policy (Summary)
Introduction
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved by
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on
02 May 2024 and will apply for the period of three
years from the date of approval.
Any payments to the Directors and any payments for
loss of office can only be made if they are consistent
with the terms of the approved Policy. If the Committee
wishes to make a payment to Directors which is not
consistent with the Policy, it will be required to seek
shareholder approval for an amendment to the Policy
at a General Meeting. No changes are proposed to the
Policy at the AGM in 2025.
The Policy was prepared in line with the relevant UK
regulations. Decisions around operating the Policy will
be made by the Committee each year and explained in
the relevant Directors’ Remuneration Report.
A summary of the key features of the Policy is included
below. The full Policy is included in the 2023 Annual
Report, available on the Hostelworld Group website
at
www.hostelworldgroup.com
. In the event of any
discrepancy between the summary and the full Policy,
the full Policy will prevail.
Policy Table
The following table sets out each element of
remuneration and how it supports the Company’s
short and long-term strategic objectives.
Base Salary
Link to strategic
objectives:
Provides a base level of remuneration to support recruitment and retention of Executive
Directors with the necessary experience and expertise to deliver the Company’s strategy.
Operation
Salaries are reviewed annually, and any changes are normally effective from 1 January in
the financial year.
When determining an appropriate level of salary, the Remuneration Committee considers:
remuneration practices within the Company;
the performance of the individual Executive Director;
the individual Executive Director’s experience and responsibilities;
the general performance of the Company
salaries within the ranges paid by companies in the comparator group used for
remuneration benchmarking; and
the economic environment.
Opportunity
Base salaries will be set at an appropriate level within a comparator group of comparably
sized listed companies and will normally increase in line with increases made to the wider
employee workforce.
Individuals who are recruited or promoted to the Board may, on occasion, have their salaries
set below the targeted policy level until they become established in their role. In such cases
subsequent increases in salary may be higher than the average until the target positioning
is achieved.
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
None
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Benefits
Link to strategic
objectives:
Provides a market competitive level of benefits to support recruitment and retention of
Executive Directors with the necessary experience and expertise to deliver the
Company’s strategy.
Operation
The Executive Directors receive benefits which include, but are not limited to, private medical
insurance (family cover), income protection and life assurance cover (including tax, if any).
The Remuneration Committee recognises the need to maintain suitable flexibility in the
determination of benefits that ensure it is able to support the objective of attracting and
retaining personnel. Accordingly, the Remuneration Committee would expect to be able to
adopt other benefits including (but not limited to) relocation expenses, tax equalisation and
support in meeting specific costs incurred by Directors.
Opportunity
The maximum will be set at the cost of providing the benefits described.
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
None
Pensions
Link to strategic
objectives:
Provide retirement benefits to support recruitment and retention of Executive Directors
with the necessary experience and expertise to deliver the Company’s strategy.
Operation
The Remuneration Committee maintains the ability to provide pension funding in the form of
a salary supplement, which would not form part of the salary for the purposes of determining
the extent of participation in the Company’s incentive arrangements.
Opportunity
For the current CEO, the maximum pension contribution as a percentage of basic salary is 10%.
For the current CFO and for any new Executive Director, the maximum pension contribution
will be in line with the contribution level provided to the majority of the workforce.
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
None
All-Employee Share Plan
Link to strategic
objectives:
To encourage share ownership among Hostelworld employees and increase the
alignment with shareholders.
Operation
The Company does not currently have an operational all-employee share plan but may seek
to offer one again in the future. Executive Directors would be entitled to participate on the
same terms as other employees.
Opportunity
The maximum participation limit will be as set out in the relevant legislation.
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
None (as is the norm for approved all-employee plans).
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Annual Bonus Plan
Link to strategic
objectives:
The Annual Bonus Plan provides an incentive to the Executive Directors linked to
achievement in delivering goals that are closely aligned with the Company’s strategy
and the creation of value for shareholders.
In particular, the Plan supports the Company’s objectives allowing the setting of annual
targets based on the business’ strategic objectives at that time, meaning that a wide
range of performance metrics can be used.
Operation
The Remuneration Committee will determine the bonus payable after the year-end based on
performance against targets.
Annual bonuses are normally paid in cash after the end of the financial year to which they
relate although the Remuneration Committee will have the flexibility to settle any bonus in shares.
On a change of control, the Remuneration Committee may pay bonuses on a pro rata basis
measured on performance up to the date of change of control.
Malus will apply up to the date of the bonus determination and clawback will apply for two
years from the date of bonus determination.
Opportunity
The maximum bonus opportunity as a % of base salary is 125% for the CEO role and 100%
for the CFO role and any new Executive Director role appointed during the Policy period.
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
Bonus payouts are determined on the satisfaction of a range of key financial and/or non-
financial objectives set by the Remuneration Committee.
In addition, the payment of any bonus will require the Remuneration Committee to determine
that the Company has delivered an acceptable level of performance during the year.
The Remuneration Committee retains discretion in exceptional circumstances to change
performance measures and targets and the weightings attached to performance measures
part-way through a performance year if there is a significant and material event which causes
the Remuneration Committee to believe the original measures, weightings and targets are no
longer appropriate. Discretion may also be exercised in cases where the Remuneration Committee
believes that the bonus outcome is not a fair and accurate reflection of business performance.
133
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)
Link to strategic
objectives:
Awards are designed to incentivise the Executive Directors to maximise returns to
shareholders by successfully delivering the Company’s objectives over the long term.
Operation
Awards are granted annually to Executive Directors under the LTIP. The vesting period is
normally three years, with vesting normally subject to:
the Executive Director’s continued employment at the date of vesting; and
satisfaction of the performance conditions.
The Remuneration Committee may award dividend equivalents on awards to the extent that
they vest.
Awards which vest after the end of the vesting period will be subject to an additional two-
year holding period. During this period the shares cannot be sold (other than as required for
tax purposes).
The LTIP rules contain standard provisions to satisfy awards/dividend equivalents in shares.
Malus will apply for the period from grant to vesting with clawback applying for the two-year
period post vesting.
Opportunity
Awards may be made up to 150% of base salary.
If exceptional circumstances arise, including (but not limited to) the recruitment of an individual,
the Remuneration Committee may grant awards outside this limit up to a maximum of 200%
of a participant’s annual basic salary.
No more than 25% of the award will vest for threshold performance. 100% of the award will
vest for maximum performance.
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
LTIP awards will vest subject to the achievement of challenging performance conditions
set by the Remuneration Committee prior to each grant. These will be determined by the
Committee each year taking into account the specific strategic priorities of the business at
the time. The Committee may change the balance of the measures or use different measures
for subsequent awards during the Policy period, as appropriate.
The Remuneration Committee retains discretion in exceptional circumstances to change
performance measures and targets and the weightings attached to performance measures
part way through a performance period if an event occurs which causes the Remuneration
Committee to believe the original measures, weightings and targets are no longer appropriate.
Discretion may also be exercised in cases where the Remuneration Committee believes that
the vesting outcome is not a fair and accurate reflection of business performance.
Shareholding Requirement
Link to strategic
objectives:
To support long term commitment to the Company and the alignment of Executive
Director interests with those of shareholders.
Operation
The Remuneration Committee has adopted formal shareholding guidelines that will
encourage the Executive Directors to build up and then subsequently hold a shareholding
equivalent of 200% of their base salary.
Adherence to these guidelines is a condition of continued participation in the equity
incentive arrangements.
Opportunity
200% of salary
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
None.
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Remuneration Committee Report
continued
Non-Executive Director Fees
Link to strategic
objectives:
The Company provides a level of fees to support recruitment and retention of Non-
Executive Directors with the necessary experience to advise and assist with establishing
and monitoring the Company’s strategic objectives.
Operation
The Board as a whole is responsible for setting the remuneration of the Non-Executive
Directors, other than the Chairman whose remuneration is considered by the Remuneration
Committee and recommended to the Board.
Non-Executive Directors are paid a base fee and additional fees for acting as Senior
Independent Director and as Chair of Board committees (or to reflect other additional
responsibilities and/or additional/unforeseen time commitments).
Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any of the Company’s incentive arrangements.
Opportunity
The base fees for Non-Executive Directors are set at an appropriate rate.
In general, the level of fee increase for the Non-Executive Directors will be set taking
account of any change in responsibility and will consider the general rise in salaries across
the workforce.
The Company will pay reasonable vouched expenses incurred by the Chairman and
Non-Executive Directors, together with other benefits where considered necessary (and
any related tax that may be payable).
Performance metrics,
weighting and assessment
None.
Malus and Clawback
Malus and clawback provisions within the annual bonus
scheme and the LTIP apply in the following circumstances:
Material misstatement of results
Gross misconduct
Error in calculating the number of shares subject
to an award or the amount of cash paid
Corporate failure or
Serious reputational damage.
As stated in the Policy table above for the annual
bonus plan, malus applies up to the date of bonus
determination and clawback applies for a period of
two years from the date of bonus determination. For
the LTIP, malus will apply for the three-year period
from grant to vesting, with clawback applying for the
two-year period post vesting.
Discretion
The Remuneration Committee has discretion in
several areas of policy as set out in this report.
The Remuneration Committee may also exercise
operational and administrative discretions under
relevant plan rules approved by shareholders as set
out in those rules. These include (but are not limited
to) the choice of participants, the size of awards in any
year (subject to the limits set out in the Policy table
above), the determination of good and bad leavers
and the treatment of outstanding awards in the event
of a change of control.
In addition, the Remuneration Committee has the
discretion to amend the Policy with regard to minor or
administrative matters where it would be, in the opinion
of the Remuneration Committee, disproportionate to
seek or await shareholder approval.
135
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Service Agreements and Letters of Appointment
Executive Directors
Each of the Executive Directors has entered into a service contract with the Group. Each Executive Director is
subject to re-election at the AGM.
Name
Position
Date of service agreement
Notice period by
Company (months)
Notice period by
Director (months)
Gary Morrison
CEO
11 June 2018
12
12
Caroline Sherry
CFO
01 December 2020
6
6
Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors have each entered into letters of appointment with the Company. Each independent
Non-Executive Director’s term of office runs for an initial period of three years unless terminated earlier upon
written notice or upon their resignations. Non-Executive Directors are also subject to re-election at each AGM.
The date of appointment of each Non-Executive Director is set out below:
Name
Effective date of appointment
Notice period by Company (months)
Notice period by Director (months)
Carl G. Shepherd
01 October 2017
1
1
Éimear Moloney
27 November 2017
1
1
Evan Cohen
14 August 2019
1
1
Ulrik Bengtsson
02 May 2024
1
1
Paul Duffy
02 May 2024
1
1
Payment for Loss of Office
Remuneration element
Treatment on exit
Salary, Benefits
and Pension
Salary, benefits and pension will be paid over the notice period. The Company has discretion to
make a lump sum payment on termination equal to the salary, value of benefits and value of
company pension contributions payable during the notice period. In all cases the Company will
seek to mitigate any payments due.
Annual Bonus Plan
Good leaver reason
– pro-rated to time and performance for year of cessation.
Other reason
– no bonus payable for year of cessation.
LTIP
Good leaver reason
– Pro-rated to time and performance (where applicable) in respect of each
subsisting LTIP award.
Other reason
– Lapse of any unvested LTIP award.
The Remuneration Committee has the following elements of discretion:
to determine that an executive is a good leaver (see below);
to measure performance (where applicable) over the original performance period or at the
date of cessation. The Committee will make this determination depending on the type of good
leaver reason resulting in the cessation;
the Remuneration Committee’s policy is generally to pro-rate to time from the date of grant to
the date of cessation. It is the Remuneration Committee’s intention to only use its discretion to
adopt a different approach to pro-rating in circumstances where there is an appropriate
business case which will be explained in full to shareholders; and
to determine the extent to which the post-vesting holding period will apply for a good leaver.
The Committee has agreed that the holding period will not apply in the event of death.
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continued
A good leaver reason may include cessation in the following circumstances:
Death
Ill-health
Injury or disability
Redundancy
Retirement with agreement of employer
Employing company ceasing to be a Group company
Employing company transferred to a person who is not a Group Member or
At the discretion of the Remuneration Committee (as described above).
Cessation of employment in circumstances other than those set out above is cessation for other reasons.
Change of Control
The Remuneration Committee’s policy on the vesting of incentives on a change of control is summarised below:
Name of Incentive Plan
Change of control
Discretion
Annual Bonus Plan
Pro-rated for time and performance to the
date of the change of control.
The Remuneration Committee has discretion to
continue the operation of the Plan to the end of
the bonus year.
LTIP
The number of shares subject to subsisting
LTIP awards vesting on a change of control
will be pro-rated for time and performance
(where applicable).
Options to the extent vested may be
exercised at any time during the period of six
months following the change of control and if
not so vested will lapse at the end of such
period unless the Remuneration Committee
determines that a longer period shall apply.
The Remuneration Committee retains absolute
discretion regarding the proportion vesting,
taking into account time and performance
(where applicable).
There is a presumption that the Remuneration
Committee will pro-rate to time. The
Remuneration Committee may take a different
approach where it views the change of control
as an event which has provided a material
enhanced value to shareholders which will be
fully explained to shareholders. In all cases the
performance conditions (where applicable)
must be satisfied, subject to the Committee’s
discretion (as noted above).
Consideration of Shareholder Views
The Remuneration Committee takes the views of shareholders seriously and these views are considered in shaping
the Remuneration Policy and its operation. During 2023 and early 2024, the Committee conducted a consultation
exercise with major shareholders and the main proxy advisors on the details of the Remuneration Policy. The general
response from major shareholders was positive and, accordingly, the Committee proceeded with recommending
that shareholders formally approve the Policy at the AGM in May 2024. The Committee will continue to consider
shareholder views carefully when implementing the Policy.
137
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Annual Report on Remuneration
Single Total Figure of Remuneration (Audited)
Executive Directors
The table below sets out the single total figure of remuneration and breakdown for each Executive Director in respect
of the 2024 financial year. Comparative figures for the 2023 financial year have also been provided. Amounts
disclosed for LTIP for 2023 relate to two separate grants, the 2020 grant made on 02 May 2020 and the 2021 grant
made on 27 April 2021. The performance periods for both grants concluded in 2023 and so were disclosed within
the 2023 single total figure of remuneration. All figures provided in the table have been calculated in accordance
with the relevant UK reporting regulations.
Director
Fixed pay
Annual
Incentive
Long-Term Incentive Plans
Total
(€’000)
Total
Fixed
salary,
benefits
and
pension
(€’000)
Total
Variable
bonus
and LTIP
only
(€’000)
Salary
(€’000)
Taxable
Benefits
(€’000)
(1)
Pension
(€’000)
(2)
Bonus
(€’000)
(3)
LTIP
2020
(€’000)
(4)
LTIP
2021
(€’000)
(5)
2022
Restricted
Share
Award
(€’000)
(6)
Total
LTIP
(€’000)
Gary Morrison
2024
494.2
13.1
49.4
209.0
1,160.5 1,160.5
1,926.2
556.7 1,369.5
2023
479.8
12.3
48.0
458.5
912.2
909.7
1,821.9
2,820.5
540.1
2,280.4
Caroline Sherry
2024
328.8
5.4
19.7
124.1
631.2
631.2
1,109.2
353.9
755.3
2023
313.1
4.7
18.8
299.2
99.3
451.2
550.5
1,186.3
336.6
849.7
(1)
Taxable benefits represent payments for health insurance and life assurance policies.
(2)
Pension contributions were made at a level of 10% of basic salary for Gary Morrison and 6% of basic salary for Caroline Sherry.
(3)
The Remuneration Committee agreed that the 2024 bonus for Gary Morrison and Caroline Sherry would be paid as a contribution into their pension, at no
extra cost to the Company. In 2023, the bonus for Gary Morrison was also paid as a contribution into his pension, at no extra cost to the Company.
(4)
The amounts in this column relate to the TSR element of the 2020 LTIP award which vested in May 2023. Full details of this award can be found in the
2023 Annual Report.
(5)
The amounts in this column relate to the LTIP award granted in April 2021, which was subject to performance conditions measured up to 31 December 2023.
The amount disclosed has been restated from that included in last year’s report to reflect the share price at vesting on 02 May 2024 of £1.62. This has been
translated to € using the Central Bank FX rate that applied on that date. Of the amount stated, €355k for Gary Morrison and €176k for Caroline Sherry was
attributable to share price appreciation since the date of grant. The Remuneration Committee did not exercise any discretion in relation to this matter.
(6)
The amounts in this column relate to the 2022 Restricted Share Award granted in May 2022, which will vest in May 2025 subject to continued employment
and satisfaction of a performance underpin over the vesting period. The vesting share price for the 2022 Restricted Share Award has been estimated at
£1.34, based on the average share price over the three months ended 31 December 2024, and translated to € using the Central Bank FX rate that applied
on 31 December 2024. Of the amount stated, €462k for Gary Morrison and €251k for Caroline Sherry was attributable to share price appreciation since
the date of grant. The Remuneration Committee has not exercised any discretion in relation to this matter.
Non-Executive Directors
The table below sets out the single total figure of remuneration and breakdown for each Non-Executive Director.
Fees
(€’000)
Taxable
Benefits
(€’000)
Other
(€’000)
Total
(€’000)
Total
Fixed
(€’000)
Total
Variable
(€’000)
Director
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
Michael Cawley
(1)
113.2
145.0
113.2
145.0
113.2
145.0
Ulrik Bengtsson
(2)
59.7
59.7
59.7
Carl G. Shepherd
(3)
69.3
74.0
69.3
74.0
69.3
74.0
Éimear Moloney
(4)
67.0
67.0
67.0
67.0
67.0
67.0
Evan Cohen
(5)
60.0
60.0
60.0
60.0
60.0
60.0
Paul Duffy
(6)
44.7
44.7
44.7
(1)
Stepped down as Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Nominations Committee on 10 October 2024.
(2)
Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Nominations Committee since 10 October 2024. Appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair
Designate on 02 May 2024.
(3)
Senior Independent Director. Chair of the Remuneration Committee until 02 May 2024.
(4)
Chair of the Audit Committee.
(5)
Designated Workforce Engagement Director.
(6)
Chair of the Remuneration Committee. Appointed to the Board on 02 May 2024.
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Remuneration Committee Report
continued
Additional Information regarding Single Total Figure Table (Audited)
Basic Salary
As explained in last year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report, the basic salary for the CEO was increased by 3% with
effect from 1 January 2024. The salary of the CFO was increased by 5%, also from 1 January 2024, reflecting her
significant contribution to the business, her ongoing development in her role since her appointment to the Board in
2020 and taking account of typical salary levels for CFOs of comparable listed companies.
Annual Bonus
The Executive Directors were entitled to consideration for an annual cash bonus for 2024 of up to a maximum of
125% of basic salary for the CEO and 100% of basic salary for the CFO, subject to the satisfaction of performance
targets based on adjusted EBITDA (for 70% of the award) and net revenue (for 30% of the award). The targets
were set at the start of 2024 taking into account the business environment at the time and internal expectations of
Hostelworld’s performance over the year. No bonus was payable in the event that the threshold adjusted EBITDA
target was not met.
The table below sets out the details of the performance targets that were used to determine the annual bonus outcome:
Threshold
Target
Maximum
Performance
metric
Weight-
ing
Required
perform-
ance
level
Required
achieve-
ment
outcome
(as a %
of max
payout)
Bonus
oppor-
tunity
(as a %
of salary)
Required
perform-
ance
level
Required
achieve-
ment
outcome
(as a %
of max
payout)
Bonus
oppor-
tunity
(as a %
of salary)
Required
perform-
ance
level
Required
achieve-
ment
outcome
(as a %
of max
payout)
Bonus
oppor-
tunity
(as a %
of salary)
Actual
perform-
ance
Achieve-
ment
outcome
(as a %
of max
payout)
Resulting
perform-
ance
(as a %
of max
payout)
Adjusted
EBITDA
70% €19.4m
25% 31.25%
(CEO)
25%
(CFO)
€21.6m
50%
62.5%
(CEO)
56%
(CFO)
€23.8m
100%
125%
(CEO)
100%
(CFO)
€21.8m
(1)
48.6%
34%
Net
revenue
30% €94.1m
25% 31.25%
(CEO)
25%
(CFO)
€104.6m
50%
62.5%
(CEO)
56%
(CFO)
€115.1m
100%
125%
(CEO)
100%
(CFO)
€92.0m
0%
0%
Outcome
34%
(1)
Actual performance reflects reported adjusted EBITDA of €21.8m. The resulting bonus payout calculation has been subject to a minor downward
adjustment to reflect the funding of the annual bonus scheme.
The table below summarises the overall outcome of the annual bonus awarded in respect of 2024:
Director
Bonus awarded (% of salary)
Bonus awarded (€’000)
Gary Morrison
42%
€209.0
Caroline Sherry
38%
€124.1
The Committee believes that the bonuses achieved as set out above were a fair and accurate reflection of business
performance over the year and as a result has not exercised any discretion in respect of the outcome.
139
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Long Term Incentives
2022 Restricted Share Award
As previously disclosed, a grant of restricted shares was made to the Executive Directors in May 2022 under the
terms of the 2022 Restricted Share Award.
The Executive Directors were granted a 2022 Restricted Share Award over shares equivalent at grant to 150% of
basic salary for the CEO and 125% of basic salary for the CFO. The shares vest after three years subject to continued
employment. An additional underpin mechanism requires the Remuneration Committee to be satisfied with individual
and Company performance over the vesting period. Based on performance up to the end of December 2024, the
Committee is satisfied that this underpin has been met and, accordingly, has recognised a value for the 2022
Restricted Share Award in the 2024 single total figure of remuneration, as set out above. This will be confirmed at
the point of vesting in May 2025 and final details will be disclosed in next year’s report. The 2022 Restricted Share
Award is subject to a two-year post-vesting holding period.
Details of the 2022 Restricted Share Award are set out in the table below.
Director
Date
of grant
Value
of award
Face value
of award
(€’000)
Number
of shares
awarded
(1)
Exercise
price
(€)
(2)
Vesting
date
Number
of shares
vesting
(3)
Total Value
of vested
awards
(€)
(4)
Gary Morrison
12 May 2022
150%
of salary
698.7
719,770
n/a
12 May 2025
719,770
1,160.5
Caroline Sherry
12 May 2022
125%
of salary
380.0
391,459
n/a
12 May 2025
391,459
631.2
(1)
The number of shares awarded was calculated using the closing share price on 12 May 2022, which was 82.9p.
(2)
The awards were granted as conditional share awards and do not have an exercise price.
(3)
Represents the number of shares expected to vest following the Remuneration Committee’s confirmation that both individual and Company performance
over the vesting period has been satisfactory.
(4)
Represents the value calculated by reference to the average share price over the three months ended 31 December 2024, being £1.34, and translated to
€ using the Central Bank FX rate that applied on 31 December 2024.
Scheme Interests Awarded During the Financial Year (Audited)
The table below sets out the details of the LTIP awards granted to the Executive Directors in the 2024 financial year.
All awards were granted as nil cost options.
Director
Date
of grant
Value
of award
Face value
of award
(€’000)
Number
of shares
awarded
(1)
Exercise
price
(€)
Percentage of
award vesting
at threshold
performance
Performance
period end date
Weighting
(2)
Gary Morrison
03 May 2024
125%
of salary
€617.7k
328,202
Nil
(3)
25%
31 December 2026
Absolute
TSR (70%)
Adjusted
EPS (30%)
Caroline Sherry
03 May 2024
100%
of salary
€328.8k
174,665
Nil
(3)
25%
31 December 2026
Absolute
TSR (70%)
Adjusted
EPS (30%)
(1)
The number of shares awarded was calculated using the average closing share price over a three-day period from 30 April 2024 to 02 May 2024, which
was £1.61.
(2)
Information on the specific performance targets for these awards is set out below.
(3)
These awards are nil cost options and therefore have a nil exercise price. The share value used to determine the face value of the awards is explained in
the footnotes above.
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Remuneration Committee Report
continued
The vesting of the LTIP awards granted in 2024 is subject to performance conditions based 70% on absolute TSR
measured over a three-year performance period commencing 01 January 2024, and 30% on adjusted EPS measured
in the final year of the three-year performance period to 31 December 2026. Full details are set out below.
Absolute TSR (70%) - CAGR
Vesting
Less than 10% p.a.
0%
10% p.a.
25%
16% p.a. or above
100%
Between 10% p.a. and 16% p.a.
Straight line vesting between 25% and 100%
Adjusted EPS (30%)
Vesting
Less than €0.15
0%
€0.15
25%
€0.21 or above
100%
Between €0.15 and €0.21
Straight line vesting between 25% and 100%
Any awards which vest will be subject to a two-year post-vesting holding period.
Payments for Loss of Office/Payments to Past Directors (Audited)
There were no payments for loss of office or payments to past Directors made during the 2024 financial year.
Statement of Directors’ Shareholdings and Share Interests (Audited)
The number of shares of the Company in which the Executive Directors had a beneficial interest and details of long-
term incentive interests as at 31 December 2024 are set out in the table below. Under the Directors’ Remuneration
Policy, the Remuneration Committee has adopted formal shareholding guidelines that encourage the Executive
Directors to build up and hold a shareholding equivalent to 200% of basic salary.
Director
Beneficially
owned shares
Shareholding
requirement
(% of salary)
Shareholding
(% of salary)
Shareholding
requirement
met?
Unvested LTIP
interests subject
to performance
conditions
Unvested
restricted share
award interests
Gary Morrison
688,430
200%
227%
Yes
328,202
719,770
Caroline Sherry
264,471
200%
131%
No
174,665
391,459
Details of the interests held in shares by Non-Executive Directors as at 31 December 2024 are set out below.
Non-Executive Directors are not subject to a shareholding requirement.
Director
Beneficially
owned shares
Ulrik Bengtsson
50,000
Carl G. Shepherd
35,285
Éimear Moloney
122,376
Evan Cohen
15,214
Paul Duffy
30,000
Michael Cawley
(1)
302,797
(1)
Shareholding as at 10 October 2024, the date Michael Cawley stepped down from the Board.
141
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Comparison of Overall Performance and Pay (TSR graph)
The graph below shows the value of £100 invested in the Company’s shares since listing compared to the FTSE
SmallCap index. The graph shows the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) generated by both the movement in share value
and the reinvestment of dividend income over the same period. The Remuneration Committee considers that the
FTSE SmallCap index is an appropriate index for comparison as Hostelworld is a member of this index and it includes
other companies with a similar market capitalisation and scope of operations. The graph has been calculated in
accordance with the Regulations. The Company listed on 28 October 2015 (with grey market trading until 02 November
2015) and therefore only has a listed share price for the period from 28 October 2015 to 31 December 2024.
Total shareholder return (£)
£0
£20
£40
£60
£80
£100
£120
£140
£160
£180
£200
£220
£240
December
2024
December
2023
December
2022
December
2021
December
2020
December
2019
December
2018
December
2017
December
2016
December
2015
October
2015
FTSE Small Cap
Hostelworld Group
Source: LSEG Workspace
CEO Historical Remuneration
The table below sets out the total remuneration delivered to the CEO over the last ten years valued using the
methodology applied to the single total figure of remuneration, as required by the UK regulations:
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Chief Executive Officer
Feargal
Mooney
Feargal
Mooney
Feargal
Mooney
Feargal
Mooney
Gary
Morrison
Gary
Morrison
Gary
Morrison
Gary
Morrison
Gary
Morrison
Gary
Morrison
Gary
Morrison
Total single figure (€’000)
395.0
1,298.7
768.8
209.5
307.2
485.8
498.4
995.7
522.0
2,820.5
1,926.2
Annual bonus payment
level achieved (% of
maximum opportunity)
0%
0%
73.4%
0%
19.3%
0%
n/a
n/a
n/a
96%
34%
LTIP vesting level achieved
(% of maximum opportunity)
n/a
n/a
n/a
0%
n/a
n/a
0%
0%
75%
(1)
100%
100%
(2)
(1)
Represents the total vesting level for the 2020 LTIP award. The adjusted EPS portion of this award (which accounted for 25% of the overall award) vested
at nil. The absolute TSR portion (which accounted for 75% of the overall award) vested at 100%. The value for the TSR portion of this award is included in
the 2023 single total figure.
(2)
Represents the expected vesting level for the 2022 Restricted Share Award, which will vest in May 2025.
142
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Remuneration Committee Report
continued
Change in Directors’ Remuneration Compared with Employees
The following table sets out the change in the remuneration paid to each of the Directors since 2019, compared
with the average percentage change for employees, as required by the reporting regulations. For the Directors,
the percentage change in remuneration reflects the disclosures in the Single Total Figure table of remuneration.
2024 vs 2023
2023 vs 2022
2022 vs 2021
2021 vs 2020
2020 vs 2019
Salary/
Fees
Taxable
benefits
Bonus
Salary/
Fees
Taxable
benefits
Bonus
Salary/
Fees
Taxable
benefits
Bonus
Salary/
Fees
Taxable
benefits
Bonus
Salary/
Fees
Taxable
benefits
Bonus
Executive Directors
Gary Morrison
3%
7%
(54)%
3%
28% 100%
5%
(12%)
0%
4.8%
3.0% (13.3)%
Caroline Sherry
(1)
5%
15%
(59)%
3%
2% 100%
12%
14%
Non-Executive Directors
Ulrik Bengtsson
(2)
Michael Cawley
(3)
(22)%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Carl G. Shepherd
(6)%
0%
0%
0%
8.5%
Éimear Moloney
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Evan Cohen
(4)
0%
0%
0%
0%
Paul Duffy
(5)
Employee pay
Average per
employee –
parent company
(6)
(33)%
(26)% 100%
Average per
employee – group
7%
6%
(41)%
6%
5% 100%
15%
19%
3.3%
(2.3) %
5.5%
93%
(1)
Appointed to the Board on 01 December 2020. Comparatives prior to 2022 vs 2021 not shown given part-year service.
(2)
Appointed to the Board on 02 May 2024. Comparatives to prior year not shown given part-year service.
(3)
Stepped down from the Board on 10 October 2024.
(4)
Appointed to the Board on 14 August 2019. Comparatives prior to 2021 vs 2020 not shown given part-year service.
(5)
Appointed to the Board on 02 May 2024. Comparatives to prior year not shown given part-year service.
(6)
From 01 April 2024 and prior to 2022 the only employees of the parent company were the Directors of the Company. During H2 2022 four additional
employees were employed until 31 March 2024, which explains the large variance between 2023 and 2022. No comparatives are provided between
2024 and 2023, given 2024 service period was only 3 months, and no comparatives vs 2021 are shown given no prior year service for these employees.
Remuneration Practices across the Company
Hostelworld does not have more than 250 UK employees (at 31 December 2024 the current number of UK employees
was 13) and as a result is not required to publish the ratio of the CEO’s remuneration to the pay of UK employees.
Nevertheless, in line with the expectations set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code, each year the Remuneration
Committee reviews workforce remuneration and related policies. This includes a detailed assessment of pay levels
and structures throughout the organisation, including fixed pay elements, and the extent to which participation in
incentive schemes (including equity incentives) extends below Board level. The remuneration of the Executive
Directors is considered in this context.
Each year, the basic salary levels of all employees undergo a thorough review in comparison to relevant external
benchmarks, taking into consideration the broader employment landscape, levels of inflation and the requirements
of the business. As disclosed last year, for 2024 the CEO received a salary increase of 3%, the CFO received an
increase of 5% and the Executive Leadership Team received an average salary increase of 3%, all of which were
below the average workforce increase of 6% (7% inclusive of market adjustments and promotions). For 2025, the
Remuneration Committee has approved increases of 3% for the CEO and CFO, as explained on page 127. Other
members of the Executive Leadership Team received an average salary increase of 4.3%, with the average salary
143
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
increase for other employees in the organisation (excluding those not receiving any increment due to inadequate
individual performance) being 4.9% for the 2025 annual review cycle. Including market adjustments and promotions,
the total average salary increase for 2025 across the workforce (excluding those in the organisation not receiving
any salary increase on grounds of inadequate individual performance) is 6.3%.
The Group makes pension contributions on behalf of eligible employees. For the majority of the workforce, the Group
contribution rate is 6% of salary. This is the same rate which applies to the CFO, and which will apply to any new
Executive Director appointed in the future. The CEO’s contribution rate of 10% was determined at the time of his
appointment in 2018. Other benefits are broadly aligned across the Company although there is some variation in
each country of operation.
The annual bonus structure for the Executive Leadership Team for 2024 was the same as for Executive Directors,
being based on a mix of targets linked to adjusted EBITDA and net revenue. For others, bonuses were based 50% on
adjusted EBITDA performance and 50% on personal performance. Separate incentive arrangements operate for key
roles within the organisation (e.g. sales and customer support staff). These structures will remain in place for 2025.
Long-term equity awards have historically been extended to a number of employees beyond the Executive Directors
and other members of the Executive Leadership Team. A significant number of employees participated in the 2021
and 2022 Restricted Share Awards in addition to the Executive Directors, demonstrating our desire to ensure that
appropriate retention mechanisms were put in place for the wider team during a period of considerable uncertainty
for the business. The vesting of the 2022 Restricted Share Award is subject to the same conditions as for the Directors,
namely continued employment and individual and Company performance being satisfactory over the vesting period.
A two-year post-vesting holding period applies to the Executive Directors only, in line with common practice. An
additional Restricted Share Award was granted to a number of employees in 2023, subject to a three-year vesting
period. The Executive Directors did not receive an award in 2023.
As previously disclosed, for 2024, annual grants of performance-based LTIP awards were re-introduced with
participation including members of the Executive Leadership Team and other managers within the organisation.
The same performance conditions applied to all participants in the LTIP although, as is the norm, the award levels
are higher for Executive Directors than for other participants, reflecting their seniority and responsibilities within the
organisation. The most appropriate approach to equity compensation for employees across the organisation is kept
under regular review.
In line with Hostelworld’s culture of transparency and involvement, the Remuneration Committee engaged with
the wider workforce during the financial year. This was undertaken by Evan Cohen, a member of the Committee
and, since December 2023, the designated Non-Executive Director responsible for employee engagement. This
engagement covered a wide number of issues relating to pay practices across the Company, and also included
a discussion of the way in which executive remuneration aligns with wider Group policies.
Relative Importance of the Spend on Pay
The table below sets out the relative importance of spend on pay in the 2024 and 2023 financial years compared
with other distributions to shareholders. All figures provided are taken from the relevant Company Accounts, and
exclude share option charges.
Director
2024
financial year
(€m)
2023
financial year
(€m)
%
change
Distributions by way of dividends/share buybacks
0%
Overall spend on pay including Executive Directors
20.9
20.9
0%
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Remuneration Committee Report
continued
Shareholder Voting
The table below sets out the results of voting on the resolutions to (1) approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report
and (2) approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the AGM held on 02 May 2024.
Resolution
For
Against
Withheld
Approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
100,272,075
(97.98%)
2,068,066
(2.02%)
5,859
Approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
97,628,882
(97.71%)
2,290,093
(2.29%)
2,427,025
Implementation of Remuneration Policy in Financial Year 2025
Basic Salary
The Committee has reviewed the salaries of the Executive Directors and agreed to award a salary increase of 3% to
the CEO and CFO with effect from 01 January 2025. This salary increase is compared with the average salary increase
of 6.3% awarded to the rest of the organisation, which includes market adjustments and promotions.
The salary levels for 2025 are as follows:
Salary
Percentage
change
Director
2025 (€)
2024 (€)
Gary Morrison (CEO)
509,020
494,194
3%
Caroline Sherry (CFO)
338,618
328,755
3%
Pension
Pension contributions for the Executive Directors will continue at the rate of 10% of basic salary for the CEO and 6%
of basic salary for the CFO.
Annual Bonus
The Executive Directors will be eligible for a bonus subject to the achievement of targets linked to adjusted EBITDA
and net revenue. A 60% (adjusted EBITDA)/40% (net revenue
) split will apply. The precise targets are currently
considered commercially sensitive but will be disclosed retrospectively in next year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report,
along with an assessment of performance and the resulting payout.
In line with the Remuneration Policy, the maximum annual bonus opportunity for the CEO will be 125% of salary and
the maximum for the CFO will be 100% of salary. It is the Committee’s intention that bonuses will be paid in cash,
although it has the flexibility to settle any bonus in shares.
Long-Term Incentives
Awards will again be granted below the Policy maximum with the CEO receiving an award of 125% of salary and
the CFO receiving 100% of salary.
The performance conditions will be based 70% on absolute TSR measured over a three-year period commencing
01 January 2025 and 30% on adjusted EPS measured in the final year of the three-year performance period to
31 December 2027, as follows:
Absolute TSR (70%) – CAGR
Vesting
Less than 8% p.a.
0%
8% p.a.
25%
15% p.a. or above
100%
Between 8% p.a. and 15% p.a.
Straight line vesting between 25% and 100%
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Adjusted EPS (30%)
Vesting
Less than 5%
0%
5%
25%
20% or above
100%
Between 5% and 20%
Straight line vesting between 25% and 100%
Careful consideration has been applied by the Committee in setting the targets for the 2025 LTIP to ensure that they
are challenging, yet realistic, in the context of the Company’s strategic plans for the next three years.
Non-Executive Directors’ Fees
No changes are proposed to the current fee components at the current time. Fees will therefore continue to be paid
as set out below:
Role
Fees (€)
Chairman
145,000
Non-Executive Director (base fee)
60,000
Senior Independent Director
7,000
Chair of Audit Committee
7,000
Chair of Remuneration Committee
7,000
Advisors to the Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee’s independent advisors are Korn Ferry, who were appointed by the Committee in 2017.
Korn Ferry has advised the Remuneration Committee on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and its implementation
in respect of the Executive Directors and other members of the Executive team. The Remuneration Committee
exercises appropriate judgement and challenge when considering the work of its external advisers and is satisfied
that the advice received during the year under review was objective and independent. Korn Ferry is a member of the
Remuneration Consultants Group and the voluntary code of conduct of that body is designed to ensure objective
and independent advice is given to remuneration committees. Korn Ferry received fees of €41,859 for their advice
during the year (2023: €32,111). Fees were charged on a cost incurred basis. No other services were provided by
Korn Ferry to the Company during the year and Korn Ferry have no other connection with the Company or the
individual Directors of the Company.
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Directors’ Report and Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
The Directors have pleasure in submitting their Annual Report and the audited
Financial Statements of Hostelworld Group plc and its subsidiaries for the financial
year to 31 December 2024.
Statutory Information
This section of the Annual Report includes additional information required to be disclosed under the Companies Act
2006 (the “Companies Act”), the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
(“DTRs”), the UK Listing Rules (“Listing Rules”) of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Transparency Directive.
Certain information required to be included in the Directors’ Report can be found elsewhere in this Annual Report,
as highlighted throughout this report including:
The Strategic Report, which can be found on pages 10 to 83, which sets out the development and performance
of the Group’s business during the financial year, the position of the Group at the end of the year, a description
of the principal risks and uncertainties (including the financial risk management position) and a summary of the
Group’s ESG strategy and TCFD.
The Corporate Governance Statement on pages 86 to 145, which sets out the Company’s statement with regard
to its adoption of the UK Corporate Governance Code.
The Audit Committee Report on pages 117 to 123.
The Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 125 to 145.
This Directors’ Report, on pages 146 to 152, together with the Strategic Report on pages 10 to 83, form the
Management Report for the purposes of DTR 4.1.5R.
The information required to be included in the Directors’ Report and which is located elsewhere in this Annual Report
forms part of the Directors Report and is incorporated by reference.
Disclosures under UKLR 6.6.1R
The table below is included to comply with the disclosure requirements under UKLR 6.6.1R. The information required
by the Listing Rules can be found in the Annual Report at the location stated below:
Section
Topic
Location
1.
Interest capitalised
Not applicable
2.
Publication of unaudited financial information
Not applicable
3.
Details of long-term incentive schemes where the only participant is a Director
Not applicable
4.
Waiver of future emoluments by a Director
Not applicable
5.
Non-pre-emptive issues of equity for cash
Not applicable
6.
Item (6) in relation to major subsidiary undertakings
Not applicable
7.
Parent participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary
Not applicable
8.
Contracts of significance
Not applicable
9.
Provision of services by a controlling shareholder
Not applicable
10.
Shareholder waivers of dividends
Not applicable
11.
Shareholder waivers of future dividends
Not applicable
12.
Compliance with the requirement to carry on the business
independently from a controlling shareholder at all times
Not applicable
147
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STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Board of Directors
The appointment and replacement of Directors of the
Company is governed by the Articles of Association,
the Companies Act 2006 and related legislation.
The Directors who served on the Board throughout
the year, up to and including the date of this report,
are as follows:
Gary Morrison (Chief Executive Officer)
Caroline Sherry (Chief Financial Officer)
Éimear Moloney (Non-Executive Director)
Carl G. Shepherd (Non-Executive Director)
Evan Cohen (Non-Executive Director)
Ulrik Bengtsson (Non-Executive Chairman)
(1)
Paul Duffy (Non-Executive Director)
(2)
Michael Cawley (Non-Executive Chairman)
(3)
.
Biographical details of the current Directors together with
details of the membership of the various Committees
are set out on pages 86 and 89.
Subject to the Articles of Association, the Companies
Act 2006 and related legislation, any directions given
by special resolution and any relevant statutes and
regulations, the business of the Company will be
managed by the Board who may exercise all the powers
of the Company.
Amendment of Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be
amended by way of shareholder approval at a general
meeting of the shareholders.
Incorporation, Share Capital and Structure
The Company was incorporated and registered in
England and Wales as a public limited company with
registration number 9818705. The Company’s issued
share capital comprises ordinary shares of €0.01 each
which are traded on the London Stock Exchange’s main
market for listed securities and on Euronext Dublin’s
main securities market.
(1)
Ulrik Bengtsson was appointed as Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate on 02 May 2024 following the Company’s AGM and replaced
Michael Cawley as Chairman on 10 October 2024.
(2)
Paul Duffy was appointed as Independent Non-Executive Director on 02 May 2024 following the Company’s AGM.
(3)
Michael Cawley retired as Chairman and Non-Executive Director on 10 October 2024.
The liability of the members of the Company is limited.
The Company is tax resident in Ireland and its
principal place of business is at Charlemont Exchange,
Charlemont Street, Dublin, D02 VN88, Ireland. The
Company’s registered office is at One Chamberlain
Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX, United Kingdom.
As at 31 December 2024 and as at the date of this
Directors’ Report, the Company’s issued share capital
comprised 124,989,783 ordinary shares of €0.01. The ISIN
of the shares is GB00BYYN4225. Further information
on the Company’s share capital is provided in note 18
to the Group’s Financial Statements contained on page
192. All the information detailed in note 18 on page 192
forms part of this Directors’ Report and is incorporated
into it by reference.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be
held on 07 May 2025, the Directors will seek authority
from shareholders to allot shares in the capital of the
Company (i) up to a maximum nominal amount of
€416,632.57 (41,663,257 shares of €0.01 each) being
one-third of the Company’s issued share capital and
(ii) up to a further €416,632.57
(41,663,257 shares of
€0.01 each) where the allotment is in connection with
a rights issue, being one-third of the Company’s issued
share capital. The power will expire at the earlier of
07 August 2026 or the conclusion of the Annual General
Meeting of the Company held in 2026.
The Directors are also seeking authority from
shareholders to allot ordinary shares for cash without
first offering them to existing shareholders in proportion
to their existing shareholdings. These resolutions are
aligned with the Pre-Emption Group guidelines published
on 04 November 2022 and seek authority to disapply
pre-emption rights on up to 10% of the Company’s
issued ordinary share capital for a general authority
and up to a further 10% of the Company’s issued share
capital for acquisitions and specified capital investments.
In each case, further authority to disapply pre-emption
rights is also being sought on up to 2% of the Company’s
issued ordinary share capital to be used for the purposes
of a follow-on offer to retail investors or existing investors
not allocated shares in the offer. The power will expire
at the earlier of 07 August 2026 or the conclusion of the
Annual General Meeting of the Company held in 2026.
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Directors’ Report
continued
Authority to Purchase Own Shares
At the Annual General Meeting held on 02 May 2024,
the Company’s shareholders authorised it to purchase,
in the market, up to 12,363,866 ordinary shares of €0.01
each. The Company did not purchase any shares under
this authority during the year. The Directors will again
seek authority from shareholders at the forthcoming
Annual General Meeting for the Company to purchase, in
the market, up to a maximum of 10% of its own ordinary
shares either to be cancelled or retained as treasury
shares. The Directors will only use this power after
careful consideration, taking into account the financial
resources of the Company, the Company’s share price
and future funding opportunities. The Directors will also
take into account the effects on earnings per share and
the interests of shareholders generally.
Rights Attaching to Shares
All shares have the same rights (including voting and
dividend rights and rights on a return of capital) and
restrictions as set out in the Articles, described below.
Except in relation to dividends which have been declared
and rights on a liquidation of the Company, the
shareholders have no rights to share in the profits of
the Company.
The Company’s shares are not redeemable. However,
following any grant of authority from shareholders, the
Company may purchase or contract to purchase any of
the shares on or off market, subject to the Companies
Act and the requirements of the Listing Rules.
No shareholder holds shares in the Company which carry
special rights with regard to control of the Company.
Voting Rights
Each ordinary share entitles the holder to vote at general
meetings of the Company. A resolution put to the vote
of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands
unless a poll is demanded. On a show of hands, every
member who is present in person or by proxy at a
general meeting of the Company shall have one vote.
On a poll, every member who is present in person or
by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which
they are a holder. The Articles provide a deadline for
submission of proxy forms of not less than 48 hours
before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting
or adjourned meeting. No member shall be entitled to
vote at any general meeting either in person or by proxy,
in respect of any share held, unless all amounts presently
payable in respect of that share have been paid. Save
as noted, there are no restrictions on voting rights nor
any agreement that may result in such restrictions.
Restrictions on Transfer of Securities
The Articles do not contain any restrictions on the
transfer of ordinary shares in the Company other than
the usual restrictions applicable where any amount is
unpaid on a share. Certain restrictions are also imposed
by laws and regulations (such as insider trading and
market requirements relating to close periods) and
requirements of the Market Abuse Regulation and the
Company’s Securities Dealing Code whereby Directors
and all employees of the Company require advance
clearance to deal in the Company’s securities.
Change of Control
Save in respect of a provision of the Company’s share
schemes which may cause options and awards granted
to employees under such schemes to vest on takeover,
there are no agreements between the Company and
its Directors or employees providing for compensation
for loss of office or employment (whether through
resignation, purported redundancy or otherwise) because
of a takeover bid.
2025 Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) will be held
at 12 noon on 07 May 2025 at Hostelworld Group
plc, Charlemont Exchange, Charlemont Street,
Dublin 2, Ireland.
The Notice of Meeting which sets out the resolutions
to be proposed at the forthcoming AGM specifies
deadlines for exercising voting rights and appointing
a proxy or proxies to vote in relation to resolutions to
be passed at the AGM. All proxy votes will be counted
and the numbers for, against or withheld in relation to
each resolution will be announced at the AGM and
published on the Company’s website.
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Substantial Shareholders
At 31 December 2024, the Company had been notified, in accordance with chapter 5 of the Financial Conduct
Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (“DTR5 Notification”), of the following significant interests:
Shareholder
Number of ordinary shares/
voting rights notified
Percentage
(1)
of voting rights over ordinary shares
of €0.01 each and nature of holding
Charles Jobson
17,255,148
13.96% (direct)
Aberforth Partners LP
11,548,005
9.24% (indirect)
Jupiter Fund Management
6,928,835
5.54% (indirect)
Lombard Odier Investment Managers
6,658,992
5.39% (direct 1.80%; indirect 3.59%)
Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Limited
6,489,178
5.25% (direct)
Gresham House Asset Management Limited
6,460,382
5.17% (indirect)
BGF Investment Management Limited
6,319,111
5.11% (indirect)
Martin Currie Investment Management Ltd
6,288,831
5.03% (indirect)
Premier Miton Group plc
5,402,069
4.37% (indirect)
Burgundy Asset Management Limited
4,430,860
3.58% (indirect)
Allianz Global Investors GmbH
4,046,400
3.27% (direct 0.02%; indirect 3.25%)
Langfristige Investoren TGV
3,731,346
2.99% (direct)
(1)
Expressed as a percentage of issued share capital as at 19 March 2025
As at the date of this report one further DTR5 Notifications
had been received from the following:
Martin Currie Investment Management Limited notified
the Company on 12 February 2025 of a decrease in
their holding to 6,180,000 ordinary shares representing
4.94% of the issued share capital of the Company
(4.94% indirect).
Transactions with Related Parties
There were no related party transactions during the
year. Please refer to note 25 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Events Post Year End
There are no significant events after the balance
sheet date.
Share Schemes
The Company operate a Long-Term Incentive Plan
(‘LTIP’) under which nil cost share options are granted
to Executive Directors and senior management linked
to achievement in delivering goals which are closely
aligned with the Company’s strategy and the creation
of value for shareholders.
The Company has also made grants of nil cost share
options under the LTIP plan in the form of restricted
stock awards to Executive Directors and senior
management as a retention measure during COVID-19
in lieu of cash bonuses.
Shareholder approval will be sought at the 2024 AGM
for the establishment of a new LTIP grant. If approved,
nil cost share options will be granted to Executive
Directors and senior management subject to achievement
of delivering goals as outlined above. Further information
is included in the Remuneration Committee Report on
pages 125 to 145.
Research and Future Developments
The Group will continue to pursue new developments to
enhance shareholder value, through a combination of
organic growth, product delivery and other development
and investment opportunities.
Innovation, specifically in the proposition on the websites
and mobile apps for both customers and hostel partners,
is a critical element of the strategy and therefore of the
future success of the Group.
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Directors’ Report
continued
Current development focuses on delivering our roadmap
to fully modernise our platforms, further develop our
social features including Linkups and enhancing our
hostel sort order and hostel signup experience. Further
detail is included in the Strategic Report on pages 10 to
83. Any future developments considered by the Group
will also include a review of the impact that development
would have on the climate and the sustainability agenda
set by the Group.
Going Concern
Hostelworld’s business activities, together with the
main factors likely to affect its future development and
performance, are described in the Strategic Report on
pages 10 to 83. After due consideration and review, the
Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group
has adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for a period of at least 12 months from the
date of approval of the Financial Statements. The Group
therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis
in preparing its Financial Statements. The full Going
Concern Statement is included in Note 1 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements on page 169. The
Group’s assessment of viability is set out on page 73.
Indemnities and Insurance
The Company maintains appropriate insurance to
cover Directors’ and Officers’ liability for itself and
its subsidiaries. The Company also indemnifies the
Directors under a qualifying indemnity for the purposes
of section 236 of the Companies Act 2006 and the
Articles of Association against any liabilities they may
incur in the execution of their duties as directors of the
Company or its subsidiaries, and such indemnities were
in force during the year. Such indemnities contain
provisions that are permitted by the director liability
provisions of the Companies Act and the Company’s
Articles of Association.
Financial Instruments
Details of the financial risk management objectives
and policies of the Group, including the exposure of
the Group to credit, interest rate and liquidity risk are
set out within note 27 to the consolidated Financial
Statements, and forms part of this report by reference.
Disabilities
The Group maintains an Equal Opportunities policy
which ensures that employees and job applicants are
not discriminated against on the grounds of disability in
respect of recruitment, promotion, training and general
career development and that full and fair consideration
is given to applications for employment made by
disabled persons. The Group also maintains a grievance
procedure and a whistleblowing service that enables
complaints to be made in a confidential manner
should any individual dealing with the Company have
concerns that any employee or job applicant has been
discriminated against on the grounds of disability.
Stakeholder Engagement
During the reporting period the Directors considered
and agreed that the Company’s shareholders, employees,
hostel partners, customers, Allied Irish Banks, plc and
society were the Group’s main stakeholders. How the
Company engaged with these stakeholders during 2024
is set out in pages 75 to 81 and how their interests were
considered in Board decisions are set out on pages 82
and 83, which are both incorporated into this report
by reference.
Sustainability
Our Sustainability Report, including information on the
Group’s greenhouse gas emissions, and compliance
with TCFD is set out on pages 42 to 61 and forms part
of this report by reference.
Political Contributions
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
made any political donations or incurred any political
expenditure during the year.
External Branches
Hostelworld Group plc is registered as a branch in
Ireland with branch registration number 908295.
Hostelworld Services Limited, a U.K. subsidiary of
the Company, is registered as a branch in Australia
(Australian registered body number 613076556).
Hostelworld.com Limited, an Irish subsidiary of the
Company, is registered as a branch in Italy (Italian
registered body number MI-2679147).
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Results and Dividends
The Group’s and Company’s audited Financial
Statements for the year are set out on pages 165 to 209.
As a response to COVID-19 the payment of dividends
was paused for the Group, and no cash dividend has
been paid since 2019. The Board is not recommending
a dividend to be paid in respect to the 2024 financial
year end. Future cash dividend payments will be subject
to the Group continuing to generate an adjusted profit
after tax, the Group’s cash position, any restrictions in
the Group’s banking facilities and subject to compliance
with Companies Act 2006 requirements regarding
ensuring sufficiency of distributable reserves at the
time of paying the dividend. An update on the capital
allocation policy of the Group will be provided in Q2
2025 to the market.
Statutory Auditor
KPMG were formally appointed as the Company’s
external Auditors on 09 May 2023 following a tender
process that was completed during 2022. KPMG is
willing to continue in office and a resolution for their
re-appointment as auditor of the Company will be
submitted to the AGM.
Disclosure of Information to Auditor
Each of the Directors has confirmed that:
So far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant
audit information of which the Company’s Auditor
is unaware.
The Director has taken all the steps that he/she
ought to have taken as a Director to make him/her
aware of any relevant audit information and to
establish that the Company’s Auditor is aware of
that information.
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in
accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the
Companies Act 2006.
Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
The Directors are responsible for preparing the
Annual Report and the Group and Company Financial
Statements, in accordance with applicable law
and regulations.
Company law requires the Directors to prepare Financial
Statements for each financial year. The Directors are
required to prepare the Group Financial Statements in
accordance with UK-adopted international accounting
standards and applicable law. The Directors have also
elected to prepare the Group Financial Statements in
accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC)
No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union and
to prepare the parent Company Financial Statements
in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure
Framework (the “Relevant Financial Reporting
Framework”) and applicable law. Under company law
the Directors must not approve the Financial Statements
unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair
view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of
the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the
Group for that period.
In preparing the Group and Parent Company Financial
Statements, the Directors are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply
them consistently.
Make judgments and accounting estimates that are
reasonable and prudent.
Present information, including accounting policies,
in a manner that provides relevant, reliable and
comparable information.
Provide additional disclosures when compliance with
the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to
enable users to understand the impact of particular
transactions, other events and conditions on
the Company and Group’s financial position and
financial performance.
Prepare the Financial Statements on the going
concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
that the Company and Group will continue in business.
For the Company Financial Statements state whether
Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosures
Framework has been followed, subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the
Financial Statements.
152
Governance
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Directors’ Report
continued
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate
accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position
of the Company and enable them to ensure that the
Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act
2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the
assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable
steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and
other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and
integrity of the corporate and financial information
included on the Company’s website. Legislation in
the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of Financial Statements may differ from
legislation in other jurisdictions.
Responsibility Statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
The Group Financial Statements, prepared in
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European
Union and the Company Financial Statements
prepared in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced
Disclosure Framework, give a true and fair view of
the assets, liabilities, and financial position of the
Group and Company as at 31 December 2024 and
of the profit or loss of the Group for the year then
ended. The Strategic Report includes a fair review of
the development and performance of the business
and the position of the Company, and the undertakings
included in the consolidation taken as a whole,
together with a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that they face.
The Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken
as a whole, provides the information necessary to
assess the Group’s performance, business model
and strategy and is fair, balanced and understandable.
It also provides the information necessary for
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and
performance, business model and strategy.
This responsibility statement was approved by the
Board of Directors on 19 March 2025 and is signed
on its behalf by:
John Duan
John Duggan
Company Secretary
19 March 2025
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand
The Search House Beachfront Hostel, Florianopolis, Brazil
156
Independent Auditor’s Report
165
Group Financial Statements
169
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
203
Company Financial Statements
205
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
Financial
Statements
Financial Statements
|
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156
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Hostelworld Group PLC
Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements
Opinion
We have audited the Financial Statements of Hostelworld
Group Plc (“the Company”) and its consolidated
undertakings (“the Group”) for the year ended
31 December 2024 set out on pages 165 to 209,
which comprise:
The Consolidated Income Statement;
The Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income;
The Consolidated Statement of Financial Position;
The Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity;
and
The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows;
The Company Statement of Financial Position;
The Company Statement of Changes in Equity; and
related notes 1 to 37, including a summary of material
accounting policies set out in note 1 and note 31.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied
in the preparation of the Group Financial Statements is
UK Law, UK adopted international accounting standards
and, as regards the Company Financial Statements,
UK Law and UK accounting standards, including FRS 101
Reduced Disclosure Framework.
In our opinion:
the Financial Statements give a true and fair view
of the state of the Group’s and of the Company’s
affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the Group’s
profit for the year then ended;
the Group Financial Statements have been properly
prepared in accordance with UK adopted international
accounting standards;
the Company Financial Statements have been properly
prepared in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced
Disclosure Framework issued by the UK’s Financial
Reporting Council; and
the Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with the requirements of the Companies
Act 2006 and, as regards the Group Financial
Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable
law. Our responsibilities under those standards are
further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for
the audit of the Financial Statements section of our
report. We believe that the audit evidence we have
obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our
opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent with our report
to the audit committee.
We were appointed as auditor by the shareholders
on 09 May 2023. The period of total uninterrupted
engagement is for the 2 financial years ended
31 December 2024. We have fulfilled our ethical
responsibilities under, and we remain independent of
the Group in accordance with UK ethical requirements,
including the Financial Reporting Council (FRC)’s
Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest
entities. No non-audit services prohibited by that
standard were provided.
Conclusions relating to going concern
The directors have prepared the Financial Statements
on the going concern basis as they do not intend to
liquidate the Group or the Company or to cease their
operations, and as they have concluded that the Group
and the Company’s financial position means that this
is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no
material uncertainties that could have cast significant
doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern
for at least a year from the date of approval of the
Financial Statements (“the going concern period”).
In auditing the Financial Statements, we have concluded
that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of
accounting in the preparation of the Financial Statements
is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors’
assessment of the entity’s ability to continue to adopt
the going concern basis of accounting included
considering the strategic risks relevant to the Group’s
business model and analysing how those risks might
affect the Group’s financial resources or ability to
continue operations for the going concern period.
The risk we considered most likely to adversely affect
the Group’s available financial resources over the going
concern period was the potential economic impact of a
prolonged economic downturn impacting the Group’s
ability to generate revenue.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We considered downside scenarios which were
more pessimistic than those indicated by the Group’s
own forecasts. There were no risks identified that
we considered were likely to have a material adverse
effect on the Group’s available financial resources over
this period.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not
identified any material uncertainties relating to events
or conditions that, individually or collectively, may
cast significant doubt on the Group or the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern for a period of
at least twelve months from the date when the
Financial Statements are authorised for issue.
In relation to the Group and the Company’s reporting
on how they have applied the UK Corporate
Governance Code and the Irish Corporate Governance
Annex, we have nothing material to add or draw
attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in
the Financial Statements about whether the directors
considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern
basis of accounting.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the
directors with respect to going concern are described
in the relevant sections of this report.
However, as we cannot predict all future events or
conditions and as subsequent events may result in
outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that
were reasonable at the time they were made, the
absence of reference to a material uncertainty in this
auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the Group or
the Company will continue in operation.
Detecting irregularities including fraud
We identified the areas of laws and regulations that could
reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the
Financial Statements and risks of material misstatement
due to fraud, using our understanding of the entity’s
industry, regulatory environment and other external
factors and inquiry with the directors. In addition, our
risk assessment procedures included:
Inquiring with the directors and management as to the
Group’s policies and procedures regarding compliance
with laws and regulations, identifying, evaluating
and accounting for litigation and claims, as well as
whether they have knowledge of non-compliance
or instances of litigation or claims.
Inquiring of directors, management, the audit
committee and internal audit as to the Group’s policies
and procedures to prevent and detect fraud as well
as whether they have knowledge of any actual,
suspected or alleged fraud.
Inquiring of directors, management, the audit
committee and internal audit regarding their
assessment of the risk that the Financial Statements
may be materially misstated due to irregularities,
including fraud.
Inspecting the Group’s regulatory and
legal correspondence.
Reading Board and sub-committee meeting minutes.
Considering remuneration incentive schemes and
performance targets.
Performing planning analytical procedures to
identify any usual or unexpected relationships.
Using forensic specialists to assist us in identifying
fraud risks based on discussions of the circumstances
of the Group.
We discussed identified laws and regulations, fraud
risk factors and the need to remain alert among the
audit team.
Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations
that directly affect the Financial Statements including
companies and financial reporting legislation, taxation
legislation and distributable profits legislation. We
assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and
regulations as part of our procedures on the related
Financial Statement items, including assessing the
Financial Statement disclosures and agreeing them
to supporting documentation when necessary.
Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and
regulations where the consequences of non-compliance
could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures
in the Financial Statements, for instance through the
imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the Group’s
licence to operate. We identified the following areas
as those most likely to have such an effect: health and
safety, anti-bribery, employment law, environmental
law, regulatory capital and liquidity and certain aspects
of company legislation recognising the financial and
regulated nature of the Group’s activities.
Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures
to identify non-compliance with these non-direct laws
and regulations to inquiry of the directors and other
management and inspection of regulatory and legal
correspondence, if any. These limited procedures did
not identify actual or suspected non-compliance.
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158
We assessed events or conditions that could indicate
an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an
opportunity to commit fraud. As required by auditing
standards, we performed procedures to address the
risk of management override of controls. On this
audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk related to
revenue recognition, other than that associated with
management override of controls. Further, we did not
identify any other additional fraud risks.
In response to the fraud risk, we also performed
procedures including:
Identifying journal entries and other adjustments to
test based on risk criteria and comparing the
identified entries to supporting documentation.
Evaluating the business purpose of significant
unusual transactions.
Assessing significant accounting estimates for bias.
Assessing the disclosures in the Financial Statements.
As the Group is regulated, our assessment of risks
involved obtaining an understanding of the legal and
regulatory framework that the Group operates and
gaining an understanding of the control environment
including the entity’s procedures for complying with
regulatory requirements.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an
unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some
material misstatements in the Financial Statements,
even though we have properly planned and performed
our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For
example, the further removed non-compliance with
laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events
and transactions reflected in the Financial Statements,
the less likely the inherently limited procedures
required by auditing standards would identify it.
In addition, as with any audit, there remains a higher
risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may
involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions,
misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls.
We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance
and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with
all laws and regulations.
Key audit matters: our assessment of risks
of material misstatement
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our
professional judgement, were of most significance in
the audit of the Financial Statements and include the
most significant assessed risks of material misstatement
(whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, and can
include those which had the greatest effect on: the
overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in
the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement
team. These matters were addressed in the context of
our audit of the Financial Statements as a whole, and
in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide
a separate opinion on these matters.
In arriving at our audit opinion above, the key audit
matters, in decreasing order of audit significance,
are as set out below.
We continue to perform procedures over the impairment
testing of intangible assets, which was formerly
considered a key audit matter in the prior year audit.
However, following the continued improved profitability
performance of the Group and level of headroom in the
impairment test model, we have not assessed this as a
key audit matter in our current year audit and, therefore,
it is not separately identified in our report this year.
Following this change in key audit matters we identified
the completeness of booking revenue as the area of
next highest significance in the audit. This is due to the
amount of booking revenue relative to materiality and
the allocation of resources to this area. Its identification
as a key audit matter is not related to a change in the
risk of material misstatement year over year.
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Hostelworld Group PLC
continued
159
OVERVIEW
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GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Group key audit matters
Recoverability of Deferred Tax Assets €13.8 million (2023: €15.5 million).
Refer to page 174 (accounting policy) and pages 187 to 188 (financial disclosures)
The key audit matter (Recurring)
How the matter was addressed in our audit
The Group has significant deferred tax assets amounting
to €13.8 million at 31 December 2024.
These are in respect of the future benefit of deductible
temporary differences and accumulated tax losses where
it is considered probable that they would be utilised or
recovered in the foreseeable future through the generation
of future taxable profits by the relevant Group entities.
We identified the recoverability of deferred tax assets as
a key audit matter because of the inherent uncertainty
associated with key assumptions made by management
when forecasting future taxable profits, which support
the utilisation of the deferred tax assets in the future.
We focused our attention in particular on the key
assumptions applied by management, including revenue
growth rates and overall profitability expectations, when
assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets.
For the reasons outlined above the engagement team
determine this matter to be a key audit matter.
Our audit procedures in this area included, but were not
limited to:
We obtained and documented our understanding
of processes related to Group’s assessment of the
recognition and recoverability of deferred tax assets.
We used our judgement in engaging our own tax
specialists to assist in determining the appropriateness
of recognising the temporary differences and
accumulated tax losses in the Group’s calculation of
deferred tax assets. This involved assessing whether
the losses and temporary differences are subject to
expiration, immediately available for use, and of
sufficient quality.
We assessed the recoverability of the deferred tax assets
against the forecast future taxable profits, taking into
account the Group’s tax position, the timing of forecast
taxable profits, and our knowledge and experience of
the application of relevant tax legislation.
We challenged the Group’s profitability forecasts included
in the recoverability model and in particular the revenue
growth rates by comparing to external industry data
and performing sensitivity analysis.
We considered the historical accuracy of forecasts
of future taxable profits made by management by
comparing the actual taxable profits for the current
year with management’s estimates in the forecasts
made in the previous year and assessing whether
there were any indicators of management bias in the
selection of key assumptions.
We considered the appropriateness, in accordance with
the relevant accounting standards, of the disclosures
relating to the deferred tax assets.
In concluding on the recoverability of deferred taxation
assets the audit team exercised judgement in relation to
the audit of the determination of forecast profit before
taxation over the period the deferred tax asset is forecast
to be recovered.
Based on the audit procedures performed, we found that
the key assumptions used by management in calculating
the future taxable profits of the Group for the purpose of
assessing the continued recognition and recoverability of
deferred tax assets are reasonable.
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160
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Hostelworld Group PLC
continued
Revenue recognition €92.0 million (2023: €93.3 million).
Refer to page 172 (accounting policy) and pages 179 to 180 (financial disclosures)
The key audit matter (New for 2024)
How the matter was addressed in our audit
Revenue totalled €92.0 million (2023: €93.3 million) and
comprises technology and data processing fees (“booking
revenue”) of €90.0 million (2023: €92.1 million) and
advertising and ancillary services of €2.0 million
(2023: €1.2 million).
We identified a risk of error associated with the completeness
and existence of revenue from free cancellation and
non-refundable booking revenue. Given the amount of
booking revenue relative to materiality, as well as the time
and senior personnel resource required to perform the
audit of it, we have adjudged that this is a key audit matter.
Our audit procedures in this area included, but were not
limited to:
We obtained and documented our understanding
of the revenue recognition process by performing
a walkthrough of each type of booking revenue.
We used our judgement in adopting a data and analytics
approach to booking revenue where we developed an
expectation of booking revenue from cash receipts,
factoring in movements in trade receivables and
deferred revenue and other accrual accounting based
adjustments. We compared our expectation to actual
booking revenue recorded in the Financial Statements.
We performed a data and analytic routine over year
end deferred revenue, which involved leveraging cash
receipts and historic trends to develop an expectation
of deferred revenue at year end.
We performed sample testing (using a statistical
sampling tool) of booking revenue transactions
around the year end period to ensure the accuracy
of timing of revenue recognition.
In concluding on the completeness and existence of
booking revenue the audit team exercised judgement in
relation to the audit approach and the use of the predictive
analytical procedure to test the completeness of revenue.
Based on the audit procedures performed, we did not
identify any material misstatements associated with
revenue recognition.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Company key audit matter
Carrying value of Investment in subsidiaries (including loan receivables) €165.4 million
(2023: €164.5 million), representing Investment in subsidiary of €51.6 million and loan receivable
€113.8 million.
Refer to pages 205 to 206 (accounting policy) and pages 207 to 208 (financial disclosures)
The key audit matter
How the matter was addressed in our audit
The investment in subsidiary undertakings is carried in the
Statement of Financial Position of the Company at cost less
impairment. The investment is primarily comprised of the
Company’s investment in Hostelworld.com (€49.2 million)
and a loan due to the Company from its subsidiary
Hostelworld.com Limited of (€113.8 million). There is a
risk in respect of the carrying value of this investment if
future cashflows and performance of this subsidiary is
not sufficient to support the Company’s investment.
We focus on this area due to the significance of the balance
to the Company Balance Sheet and the judgement involved
in forecasting and discounting future cashflows, in particular
on the key assumptions applied by management, including
revenue growth rates and overall profitability expectations.
For the reasons outlined above, the audit team determine
this matter to be a key audit matter.
Our audit procedures in this area included, but were not
limited to:
We obtained and documented our understanding of
the process around the Group’s assessment of the
recoverability of the carrying value of investments in
subsidiary companies.
We vouched a sample of the movements in the carrying
value of investments in subsidiaries during the year to
supporting evidence.
We used our judgement in assessing the recoverability
of the investment and intercompany receivable balances
with reference to the market capitalisation of the Group
at the year end date.
We considered the Group’s assessment of impairment
indicators by comparing the carrying value of investment
in subsidiaries and loan receivable in the Company’s
Balance Sheet to the market capitalisation of the Group.
Additionally, the terms and conditions governing the
repayment of the loan receivable were considered in
our assessment.
We challenged the Group’s profitability forecasts included
in the impairment testing model and in particular the
revenue growth rates by comparing to external industry
data and performing sensitivity analysis.
We considered the historical accuracy of forecasts of
future taxable profits made by the Group by comparing
the actual taxable profits for the current year with
management’s estimates in the forecasts made in the
previous year and assessing whether there were any
indicators of management bias in the selection of
key assumptions.
We assessed the adequacy of disclosures in the
Company’s Financial Statements.
In concluding on the Carrying value of Investment in
subsidiaries the audit team exercised judgement in relation
to the audit of management’s impairment assessment.
Based on evidence obtained, we found that management’s
judgements were appropriate in assessing the carrying
value of investment in subsidiaries and were supported
by the market capitalisation at year end.
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Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit
Materiality for the Group Financial Statements and Company Financial Statements as a whole was determined as follows:
Group Financial Statements
Company Financial Statements
Overall
materiality
€0.729 million (2023: €0.695 million)
€0.146 million (2023: €0.139 million)
Benchmark
applied and %
Group revenue of which materiality represents
0.80% (2023: 0.75%)
Total assets of which materiality represents
0.5% (2023: 0.5%) capped at 20% (2023:
20%) of Group materiality
Rationale for
the benchmark
and judgement
involved
We consider revenue to be the most appropriate
benchmark for the Group as profit before tax was
an unsuitable benchmark in both the current year
and prior year as the amount recorded in both years
was low. We have determined, in our professional
judgement, that revenue is currently the principal
benchmark within the Financial Statements in
assessing financial performance. In applying our
judgement in determining the percentage to be
applied to the benchmark we considered that
the Group has a high public profile, operates in a
regulated environment and also considered that it
repaid its external debt fully in the current year.
We consider total assets to be the most
appropriate benchmark for the Company on a
stand alone single entity basis, as the entity is
an investment holding company which does
not trade. It holds the investment in the Group’s
main trading subsidiary entity.
Performance materiality for the Group Financial
Statements and Company Financial Statements as a
whole was set at €0.547 million (2023: €0.450 million)
and €0.109 million (2023: €0.104 million) respectively,
determined with reference to benchmarks of revenue
for the Group and total assets for the Company (of
which it represents 75% (2023: 65%) and 75% (2023:
75%) respectively.
We reported to the Audit Committee any corrected
or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding
€0.036 million (2023: €0.034 million) for Group Financial
Statements and €0.008 million (2023: €0.007 million)
for Company Financial Statements, in addition to other
identified misstatements that warranted reporting on
qualitative grounds.
In applying our judgement in determining the percentage
to be applied to the benchmarks (to establish materiality)
and the percentage to be applied to materiality (to
establish performance materiality), we considered that
this is our year two audit, no identified misstatements
in the prior year audit, the entity’s control environment
and the consistency of key management and financial
reporting personnel.
The structure of the Group’s finance function is such that
the central group team in Dublin provides support to
group components for the accounting for the majority
of transactions and balances. Components of the
Group were audited centrally by KPMG in Ireland
covering 100% of Group revenue. Materiality of each
of the components, which ranged from €0.07 million
to €0.7 million, having regard to the mix of size and
risk profile of the components.
Our audit was undertaken to the materiality and
performance materiality level specified above and was
all performed by a single engagement team in Ireland.
We have nothing to report on the other
information in the annual report
The directors are responsible for the other information
presented in the Annual Report together with the
Financial Statements. The other information comprises
the information included in the strategic report and the
directors’ report and the Corporate Governance Report.
The Financial Statements and our auditor’s report
thereon do not comprise part of the other information.
Our opinion on the Financial Statements does not cover
the other information and, accordingly, we do not
express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated
below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Hostelworld Group PLC
continued
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Our responsibility is to read the other information and,
in doing so, consider whether, based on our Financial
Statements audit work, the information therein is
materially misstated or inconsistent with the Financial
Statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on that
work we have not identified material misstatements in
the other information.
Opinions on other matters prescribed
by the Companies Act 2006
Strategic report and directors’ report
Based solely on our work on the other information
undertaken during the course of the audit:
we have not identified material misstatements in the
directors’ report or the strategic report;
in our opinion, the information given in the strategic
report and the directors’ report is consistent with the
Financial Statements;
in our opinion, the strategic report and the directors’
report have been prepared in accordance with the
Companies Act 2006.
Directors’ remuneration report
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration
Report to be audited has been properly prepared in
accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
Corporate governance statement
We have reviewed the directors’ statement in relation
to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of
the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the
Company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK
Corporate Governance Code and the Irish Corporate
Governance Annex specified for our review by the Listing
Rules of Euronext Dublin and the UK Listing Authority.
Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit,
we have concluded that each of the following elements
of the Corporate Governance Statement is materially
consistent with the Financial Statements and our
knowledge obtained during the audit:
Directors’ statement with regards the appropriateness
of adopting the going concern basis of accounting
and any material uncertainties identified set out on
page 150 and within note 1 to the Financial Statements;
Directors’ explanation as to their assessment of
the Group’s prospects, the period this assessment
covers and why the period is appropriate set out on
page 150 and within note 1 to the Financial Statements;
Director’s statement on whether it has a reasonable
expectation that the Group will be able to continue
in operation and meets its liabilities set out on page
150 and within note 1 to the Financial Statements;
Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and
understandable and the information necessary for
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and
performance, business model and strategy set out
on pages 151 and 152;
Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust
assessment of the emerging and principal risks and
the disclosures in the annual report that describe the
principal risks and the procedures in place to identify
emerging risks and explain how they are being
managed or mitigated set out within the Responsibility
Statement on page 152 and within the Principal Risks
and Uncertainties on pages 62 to 72;
Section of the annual report that describes the review
of effectiveness of risk management and internal
control systems set out on page 98 and within the Audit
Committee report set out on pages 117 to 123; and
Section describing the work of the audit committee
set out on pages 117 to 123.
The Listing Rules of Euronext Dublin also requires
us to review certain elements of disclosures in the
report to shareholders by the Board of Directors’
remuneration committee.
Based solely on our work on the other information
described above with respect to the Corporate
Governance Statement disclosures about internal control
and risk management systems in relation to financial
reporting processes and about share capital structures:
we have not identified material misstatements therein;
the information therein is consistent with the Financial
Statements and has been prepared in accordance
with the applicable legal requirements; and
in our opinion, the Corporate Governance Statement
has been prepared in accordance with relevant rules
of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
of the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are also required to report to you if a corporate
governance statement has not been prepared by the
Company. We have nothing to report in these respects.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
164
We have nothing to report on the other matters
on which we are required to report by exception
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to
report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept by
the Company, or returns adequate for our audit have
not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the Company Financial Statements and the part of
the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited
are not in agreement with the accounting records
and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration
specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and
explanations we require for our audit.
We have nothing to report in these respects.
Respective responsibilities and restrictions
on use
Responsibilities of directors for the
Financial Statements
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities
statement set out on page 152, the directors are
responsible for: the preparation of the Financial
Statements including being satisfied that they give a true
and fair view; such internal control as they determine
is necessary to enable the preparation of Financial
Statements that are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Group
and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern,
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going
concern; and using the going concern basis of
accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the
Group or the Company or to cease operations, or
have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit
of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the Financial Statements as a whole are free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud, other
irregularities or error, and to issue an opinion in an
auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of
assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted
in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can
arise from fraud, other irregularities or error and are
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate,
they could reasonably be expected to influence the
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these
Financial Statements.
A fuller description of our responsibilities is
provided on the FRC’s website at
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.
The Company is required to include these Financial
Statements in an annual financial report prepared
under Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule
4.1.17R and 4.1.18R. This auditor’s report provides no
assurance over whether the annual financial report has
been prepared in accordance with those requirements.
The purpose of our audit work and to whom we
owe our responsibilities
Our report is made solely to the Company’s members,
as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of
the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been
undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s
members those matters we are required to state to them
in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or
assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company
and the Company’s members, as a body, for our audit
work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Brian MacSweeney
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
19 March 2025
for and on behalf of
KPMG, Statutory Auditor
1 Stokes Place
St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2
Ireland
D02 DE03
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Hostelworld Group PLC
continued
165
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Group Financial Statements
Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2024
2023
2024
Pre-exceptional
Exceptional
(Note 5)
Total
Notes
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
Revenue
3
92.0
93.3
93.3
Operating expenses
4
(80.9)
(88.2)
(0.2)
(88.4)
Other income
7
1.3
Impairment of investment in associate
14
(1.2)
Share of results of associate
14
0.1
0.1
0.1
Operating profit
11.3
5.2
(0.2)
5.0
Finance income
0.1
Finance costs
8
(0.3)
(2.5)
(3.6)
(6.1)
Profit/(loss) before taxation
11.1
2.7
(3.8)
(1.1)
Taxation (charge)/credit
9
(2.0)
6.2
6.2
Profit for the year attributable to the equity
owners of the parent Company
9.1
8.9
(3.8)
5.1
Basic earnings per share (euro cent)
10
7.28
4.21
Diluted earnings per share (euro cent)
10
7.01
4.07
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2024
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Profit for the year
9.1
5.1
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Nil
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable
to equity owners of the parent Company
9.1
5.1
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
166
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2024
2024
2023
Notes
€’m
€’m
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
11
63.5
66.5
Property, plant and equipment
12
0.5
0.8
Deferred tax assets
13
13.8
15.5
Investment in associate
14
1.1
Cash and cash equivalents
17
0.8
77.8
84.7
Current assets
Trade and other receivables
16
4.5
3.3
Corporation tax
0.1
Cash and cash equivalents
17
8.2
6.7
12.7
10.1
Total assets
90.5
94.8
Issued capital and reserves attributable to equity owners of the parent
Share capital
18
1.3
1.3
Share premium
18
14.4
14.4
Other reserves
19
3.0
2.9
Retained earnings
51.4
40.6
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Company
70.1
59.2
Non-current liabilities
Non-current debt
Debt warehoused
20
3.5
6.4
Borrowings
22
4.8
Lease liabilities
15
0.1
Current liabilities
3.5
11.3
Current debt
Debt warehoused
20
2.7
3.2
Borrowings
22
5.4
Trade and other payables
Trade payables
21
4.1
3.3
Deferred revenue
21
3.5
3.9
Accruals and other payables
21
6.0
7.8
Lease liabilities
15
0.3
0.5
Corporation tax
9
0.3
0.2
16.9
24.3
Total liabilities
20.4
35.6
Total equity and liabilities
90.5
94.8
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 19 March 2025 and
signed on its behalf by:
Gary Moison
Caroline Shey
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Hostelworld Group plc registration number 9818705 (England and Wales)
Group Financial Statements
continued
167
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Consolidated Statement of Changes In Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2024
Share capital
Share premium
Retained earnings
Other reserves
Total
Notes
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
Balance at 01 January 2023
1.2
14.3
30.3
6.4
52.2
Issue of shares
0.1
0.1
0.2
Total comprehensive
income for the year
5.1
5.1
Credit to equity for equity
settled share-based payments
1.7
1.7
Transfer of exercise, vesting
or expiry of warrants
3.1
(3.1)
Transfer of exercised and
expired share-based awards
2.1
(2.1)
Balance at 31 December 2023
1.3
14.4
40.6
2.9
59.2
Issue of shares
18
Total comprehensive
income for the year
9.1
9.1
Credit to equity for equity
settled share- based payments
19
1.8
1.8
Transfer of exercised and
expired share-based awards
1.7
(1.7)
Balance at 31 December 2024
1.3
14.4
51.4
3.0
70.1
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
168
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2024
2024
2023
Notes
€’m
€’m
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year
9.1
5.1
Taxation charge/(credit)
2.0
(6.2)
Profit/(loss) before tax
11.1
(1.1)
Amortisation and depreciation
4
9.1
11.8
Share of results of associate
14
(0.1)
(0.1)
Impairment of investment in associate
1.2
Non-cash movements in provisions
(1.3)
Financial income
(0.1)
Finance expense
8
0.3
2.5
Finance expense (exceptional)
8
3.5
Employee equity settled share-based payment expense
24
1.8
1.7
Changes in working capital items:
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables
(0.2)
2.4
Increase in trade and other receivables
16
(1.2)
Cash generated from operations
20.6
20.7
Interest paid (including lease interest)
(0.3)
(3.0)
Interest received
0.1
Income tax paid
(0.1)
(0.3)
Net cash generated from operating activities
20.3
17.4
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition/development of intangible assets
11
(5.5)
(4.0)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
12
(0.1)
(0.1)
Net cash used in investing activities
(5.6)
(4.1)
Cash flows from financing activities
Drawdown of borrowings
22
17.4
Transaction costs relating to borrowings
22
(0.2)
Repayment of borrowings
22
(10.3)
(41.2)
Repayment of warehoused debt
20
(3.2)
Proceeds received on issue of shares
18
0.1
Repayments of obligations under lease liabilities
15
(0.5)
(0.9)
Net cash used in financing activities
(14.0)
(24.8)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
0.7
(11.5)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
7.5
19.0
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
17
8.2
7.5
Group Financial Statements
continued
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
169
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
1. Material accounting policies
General Information
Hostelworld Group plc, hereinafter “the Company”, is a
public limited company domiciled in Ireland, incorporated
in the United Kingdom on the 09 October 2015 under
the Companies Act 2006 and is registered in England
and Wales. The registered office of the Company is
One Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX,
United Kingdom.
The Company and its subsidiaries (together “the Group”)
provide software and data processing services that
facilitate hostel, B&B, hotel and other accommodation
bookings worldwide.
The Company’s shares are quoted on Euronext Dublin
and the London Stock Exchange.
The Company and consolidated financial statements
were approved and authorised for issue by the Board
of Directors on 19 March 2025.
Going Concern
The Directors, after due consideration and review of the
Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook,
and further two years of management projections, and
having made enquiries, have a reasonable expectation
that the Group has adequate resources to continue
operating as a going concern for the foreseeable future,
at least 12 months from the date of approval of the
financial statements. In their review of the budget and
outlook the Directors referred to the Group’s strategy,
the Group’s Risk Register and current and anticipated
trading volumes. The Directors considered mitigating
actions available to the Group should trading volumes
not materialise including the flexibility of the Group to
fully control its largest cost base direct marketing, and
management’s ability to protect margin should the
Group experience a downside in trading.
In addition to the base budget for 2025, the Directors also
considered two additional scenarios that were designed
to stress the budget and outlook prepared. An extreme
downside scenario considered no growth in booking
volumes year-on-year, no uplift to average booking
values and bed prices year-on-year and an increase in
marketing costs as a % of generated revenue instead of
assuming any further efficiencies being obtained within
marketing. The Directors also considered a stressed
scenario of reduced booking volumes in Europe (-2%),
the Group's largest market. Under both scenarios,
although profitability is impacted, the Group had sufficient
cash reserves available to remain a going concern.
In their review, the Directors took account of cash flow
forecasts prepared for 12 months from 19 March 2025
based upon the Board approved budget and outlook
and in their assessment took into account the
repayment of the Group’s external bank debt in 2024,
the repayment plan in place with the Revenue
Commissioners to repay the remaining warehoused
facility in monthly instalments from now to April 2027
and the current and anticipated levels of cash.
At this point in time, the consequences of the current
unrest in Ukraine and in Gaza remains uncertain. The
Group has not experienced a significant impact to
revenue during 2024, and management continue to
monitor any development in the conflict, and the impact
to the Group closely. No revenue has been budgeted for
these countries in 2025. In addition, we have performed
an assessment of the impact of climate risk, as part of
the Director’s assessment of the viability of the Group
with further detail set out on page 73.
Based upon the factors considered above, the Directors
are satisfied that the Group and Company has sufficient
resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable
future, a period of not less than 12 months from the
date of this report. Accordingly, they continue to
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group
financial statements.
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act
2006 and UK adopted International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”) and IFRS adopted pursuant to
Regulation (“EC”) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the
European Union.
The consolidated financial statements also comply with
Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation. References to IFRS
hereafter refer to UK adopted IFRS and IFRS adopted
by the EU.
The consolidated financial statements have been
prepared under the historical cost basis. The investment
in associate is accounted for using the equity method.
In the preparation of these consolidated financial
statements the accounting policies set out below have
been applied consistently by all Group companies.
The consolidated financial statements are presented
in euro which is the currency of the primary economic
environment in which the Group operates.
1. Material Accounting Policies
continued
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
170
The Group has changed the presentation of its
consolidated financial statements from amounts
presented in thousands (€’000) to millions
(€m) effective
from the financial year ended 31 December 2024. This
change reflects the Group’s return to normalised trading
volumes post COVID-19 in the prior year, making the
presentation in millions more appropriate for providing
clearer and more relevant financial information to the
users. The change in presentation has been applied
retrospectively for all comparative information included
in these financial statements to ensure consistency
and comparability.
Climate Related Matters
The Group have taken account of climate related matters
in its financial statements. Operating costs in 2024, and
the 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further
two years of management projections, incorporate
any operating costs relating to our sustainability
roadmap, namely the personnel required to support on
commitments and targets in place, as well as the cost
of any current and future emission reductions and
investments in climate action projects. Following an
assessment completed by management in 2024, the
Group have not identified any cause for any other liability,
provision or impairment of any assets because of its
review of climate related matters, and further have not
identified any in future projections.
Climate related risks can impact our revenue and trading
for factors such as a customer may not want to travel,
a hostel may be forced to close, or an area is not
accessible. The risk is somewhat mitigated as our
target 18-34
-year-old population typically view travel
as a ‘rite of passage’ and staying in hostels is a more
sustainable way of travelling compared to other
accommodation types. In addition, our target customers
have proven in their booking patterns that they are
flexible. If they are unable to travel to a particular location,
we have evidence from studying historic booking
behaviours that demand moves elsewhere. These factors
are considered in detail in our Sustainability Report set
out on pages 42 to 61. The budget does not include
any adjustments to revenue for climate change, and we
will monitor the impact climate change may have on
booking demand closely. The Group’s business model
allows for flexibility, through being asset light, which
means the Group can respond quickly to changes in
customer demand if a matter arises.
The Group’s consideration of climate-related matters in
estimates and assumptions includes the following areas:
Impairment of assets:
Future expected cashflows may
be impacted by reducing revenue projections driven
by changes in consumer demand and increasing
costs. To offset this uncertainty, the Group have
significant headroom in its goodwill and intangible
asset impairment reviews outlined in the sensitivity
analysis disclosed on page 186.
Deferred tax asset recoverability:
Taxable profits
and whether the Group has sufficient future taxable
income may be impacted by changes in consumer
demand and increasing costs. To offset this
uncertainty, the Group have headroom in its deferred
tax recoverability assessments as outlined in the
sensitivity analysis disclosed on page 179, and the
primary basis of the benefit the Group has from
historic trading losses and timing differences does
not expire.
Going concern:
Future expected cashflows
underpinning going concern may be impacted
by reduced revenue and profit projections driven
by consumer demand and increasing costs. Any
downside impact to bookings as a result of climate
change are considered in the downside scenarios
detailed in the Directors assessment of going concern
set out on page 169, with a further assessment
included within our Viability Statement set out in
the strategic report on page 73.
Basis of Consolidation
Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate
the financial statements of the Company and entities
controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) all of which
prepare financial statements up to 31 December.
Control is achieved when the Company has the power
over the investee, is exposed, or has rights, to variable
return from its investment with the investee and has the
ability to use its power to affect its returns. The financial
statements of subsidiaries are included in the
consolidated financial statements from the date that
control commences until the date that control ceases.
All intragroup assets and liabilities, equity, income,
expenses and cash flows relating to transactions
between the members of the Group are eliminated on
consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated,
except where they provide evidence of impairment.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
171
Associates
Associates are entities over which the Group has
significant influence but not control, generally
accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50%
of the voting rights. Significant influence is the power to
participate in the financial and operating policy decisions
of the investee but is not control over those policies.
Investments in associates are accounted for using the
equity method of accounting and are initially recognised
at cost. On acquisition of the investment in associate, any
excess of the cost of the investment over the Group’s
share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and
liabilities of the investee is recognised as goodwill, which
is included within the carrying value of the investment.
The Group’s share of its associates’ post-acquisition
profits or losses is recognised in ‘share of results of
associate’ in the consolidated income statement, and
its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is
recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in
Equity. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are
adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment,
less any impairment in value. Where indicators of
impairment arise, the carrying amount of the associate
is tested for impairment by comparing its recoverable
amount with its carrying amount.
The requirements of IAS 36 are applied to determine
whether it is necessary to recognise any impairment loss
with respect to the Group’s investment in an associate.
When necessary, the entire carrying amount of the
investment (including goodwill) is tested for impairment
in accordance with IAS 36 as a single asset by comparing
its recoverable amount (higher of value in use and fair
value less costs of disposal) with its carrying amount.
Any impairments in value are recognised in the
consolidated income statement. Any impairment loss
recognised is not allocated to any asset, including
goodwill that forms part of the carrying amount of the
investment. Any reversal of that impairment loss is
recognised in accordance with IAS 36 to the extent
that the recoverable amount of the investment
subsequently increases.
Unrealised gains arising from transactions with associates
are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the
entity. Unrealised losses are eliminated to the extent that
they do not provide evidence of impairment. When the
Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds
its interest in the associate, the Group does not recognise
further losses unless the Group has incurred obligations
or made payments on behalf of the associate. The
accounting policies of associates are amended where
necessary to ensure consistency of accounting
treatment at Group level.
When the Group ceases to have significant influence,
any retained interest in the entity is re-measured to its
fair value at the date when significant influence is lost
with the change in carrying amount recognised in
the consolidated income statement. The Group also
reclassifies any movements previously recognised
in other comprehensive income to the consolidated
income statement.
New Standards, Amendments and Interpretations
Issued and Adopted by the Group in 2024:
The following changes to IFRS became effective for
the Group during the year but did not result in material
changes to the Group’s consolidated financial statements:
Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of
Financial Statements:
Classification of Liabilities as Current or
Non-current Date
Non-current Liabilities with Covenants
Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback
(Amendments to IFRS 16)
Amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and
IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures: Supplier
Finance Arrangements
New and Amended Standards and Interpretations
Not yet Mandatorily effective:
The Group has not applied certain new standards,
amendments and interpretations to existing standards
which are not yet mandatorily effective and have not yet
been endorsed by the UK or by the EU, in some instances:
IFRS 19: Subsidiaries without Public
Accountability: Disclosures
Amendments to IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in
Foreign Exchange Rates: Lack of Exchangeability
Sale of Contribution of Assets between an Investor
and its Associate or Joint Venture (Amendments to
IFRS 10 and IAS 28)
Amendments to the Classification and Measurement
of Financial Instruments (Amendments to IFRS 9
and IFRS 7)
IFRS 18: Presentation and Disclosure in Financial
Statements will replace IAS 1 Presentation of
Financial Statements
1. Material Accounting Policies
continued
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
172
Regarding standards and interpretations not yet
mandatorily effective it is expected that IFRS 18 will have
a significant impact on the Group affecting periods on or
after 01 January 2027. The Group are still in the process
of assessing the full impact of the new standard,
particularly with respect to the structure of the Group’s
Statement of profit or Loss, the Statement of Cash Flows
and the additional disclosures required for management
defined performance measures. The Group is also
assessing the impact on how information is grouped in
the financial statements, including for items currently
labelled as other.
Revenue Recognition
The Group generates substantially all of its revenues from
the technology and data processing fees and service
fees that it charges to accommodation providers. The
Group also generates revenues from advertising services.
Revenue is recognised at the time the reservation is
made in respect of non-refundable commission on the
basis that the Group has met its performance obligations
having provided the technology and data processing
service at the time the booking is made. In respect of
the free cancellation product, which offers the traveller
the opportunity to make a booking on a free cancellation
basis and to receive a refund of their deposit in certain
circumstances, such related revenue is not recognised
until the last cancellation date has passed as one party
can withdraw from the contract until such a date has
passed, at which point the Group will have met its
performance obligation.
Where the Group provides an ancillary service to allow
a flexible booking option which allows a booking to be
cancelled for no charge or a new booking to be made,
such revenue is deferred, until such time as the related
check-in date has passed or for a six-month period from
the date of cancellation, at which time the credit expires.
Where credits are granted to customers for utilisation on
future bookings, a provision is recorded against revenue
based on the probability that a credit offering will be
used by a customer.
Ancillary advertising and property management
technology revenues (Counter) are recognised over the
period when the service is performed as the Group’s
performance obligation is met over time. Royalties and
commission amounts earned from the “
Roamies
” revenue
streams are recognised on the trip’s start date, when
the Group’s performance obligations are met. Revenue
is measured at the fair value of the consideration
received or receivable.
Revenue is stated net of rebates, sales taxes and value
added taxes. Rebates relate to volume incentive rebates
offered to hostel partners. Recognition of rebates have
limited judgement and are recognised based on
performance targets for the previous quarters trading
volumes measured at midnight on the closing day of
a quarter and settled within the following quarter.
Leases
The Group leases properties across a number of
locations. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed
periods but may have an option to extend. Lease terms
are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide
range of different terms and conditions.
At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether
a contract is or contains a lease. For contracts where the
Group is a lessee, a right-of-use asset is recognised,
representing the Group’s right to use the underlying asset
and a lease liability is also recognised for the Group’s
obligation to make lease payments during the lease term.
The lease term of each contract is determined as the
non-cancellable period of the lease, together with any
periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it
is reasonably certain to be exercised, or any periods
covered by an option to terminate the lease (break
option), if it is reasonably certain not to exercise that
option. For short term leases (defined as leases with a
lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low value
assets (defined as leases with an underlying asset value
of €10,000 or less), the Group recognises the lease
payments as an operating expense on a straight-line
basis over the term of the lease.
The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost
and subsequently valued at cost less accumulated
depreciation and impairment losses. It is adjusted
where a lease modification results in a remeasurement
of the lease liability.
Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter
period of lease term and useful life of the underlying
asset. The depreciation starts at the commencement
date of the lease.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
173
Whenever the Group incurs an obligation to restore the
underlying asset to the condition required by the terms
and conditions of the lease, a provision is recognised and
measured under IAS 37. To the extent that the costs
relate to a right-of-use asset, the costs are included in
the related right-of-use asset.
The carrying value of these assets are reviewed at the
end of each reporting period to determine whether
there is any indication that the assets have suffered an
impairment loss. The Group applies IAS 36 to determine
whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and accounts
for any identified impairment loss.
Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of
the future lease payments. The lease payments are
discounted using the implicit interest rate in the lease,
or where this cannot readily be determined the Group
uses the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. The
incremental borrowing rate depends on the term,
currency and start date of the lease and is determined
based on a series of inputs including: the risk-free rate
based on government bond rates; a country-specific
risk adjustment and a credit risk adjustment based on
bond yields. Subsequently the lease liability is increased
to reflect interest on the lease liability and reduced for
payments made. The lease liability is remeasured for
lease modifications or reassessments.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the
lease liability comprise: (i) fixed lease payments less any
lease incentives receivable; (ii) variable lease payments
that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using
the index or rate at the commencement date; (iii) the
amount expected to be payable by the lessee under
residual value guarantees; (iv) the exercise price of
purchase options, if the lessee is reasonably certain
to exercise the options; and (v) payments of penalties
for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the
exercise of an option to terminate the lease.
The lease liability is presented as a separate line in the
consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The lease
liability is subsequently measured by increasing the
carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability
(using the effective interest method) and by reducing the
carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made.
The Group re-measures the lease liability (and makes
a corresponding adjustment to the related right-of-use
asset) whenever: (i) the lease term has changed or
there is a significant event or change in circumstances
resulting in a change in the assessment of exercise of a
purchase option, in which case the lease liability is
re-measured by discounting the revised lease payments
using a revised discount rate; (ii) the lease payments
change due to changes in an index or rate or a change
in expected payment under a guaranteed residual value,
in which cases the lease liability is remeasured by
discounting the revised lease payments using an
unchanged discount rate or (iii) a lease contract is
modified and the lease modification is not accounted
for as a separate lease, in which case the lease liability
is remeasured based on the lease term of the modified
lease by discounting the revised lease payments
using a revised discount rate at the effective date of
the modification.
Cash paid on the interest portion of a lease liability is
included as part of operating activities in the Consolidated
Cash Flow Statement and cash payments for the
principal portion of a lease liability are included as part
of financing activities. Payments in relation to short term
leases and leases of low value assets that do not meet
the criteria to be capitalised under IFRS 16 are included
as part of operating activities in the Consolidated Cash
Flow Statement.
Exceptional Items
Exceptional items by their nature and size can make
interpretation of the underlying trends in the business
more difficult. Such items may include restructuring,
material merger and acquisition costs, profit or loss on
disposal or termination of operations, litigation settlements,
legislative changes, material acquisition integration costs
and profit or loss on disposal of investments. Judgement
is used by the Group in assessing the particular items
which by virtue of their scale and nature should be
disclosed as exceptional items. Where an item that has
been classified as exceptional spans more than one
reporting period such as a multi-year restructuring
programme, it will also be presented as exceptional in
the following period for consistency of presentation.
Taxation
The Group is tax resident in Ireland. The tax expense
represents the sum of the tax currently payable and
deferred tax.
Current Tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for
the period. Taxable profit differs from net profit as
reported in the Consolidated Income Statement because
it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable
or deductible in other years and it further excludes items
1. Material Accounting Policies
continued
Financial Statements
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
174
that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability
for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have
been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting
date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of
previous years.
A provision is recognised for those matters for which
the tax determination is uncertain, but it is considered
probable that there will be a future outflow of funds to
a tax authority. The provisions are measured at the best
estimate of the amount expected to become payable.
The assessment is based on the judgement of tax
professionals within the Company supported by previous
experience in respect of such activities and in certain
cases based on specialist independent tax advice.
Deferred Tax
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or
recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts
of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and
the corresponding tax bases used in the computation
of taxable profit and is accounted for using the liability
method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised
for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax
assets are recognised for unused tax losses, unused
tax credits and deductible temporary differences to the
extent that it is probable future taxable profits will be
available against which the temporary difference can
be utilised.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable
temporary differences arising on investments in
subsidiaries and associates, except where the Group is
able to control the reversal of the temporary difference
and it is probable that the temporary difference will not
reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets
arising from deductible temporary differences associated
with such investments and interests are only recognised
to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient
taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the
temporary differences and they are expected to reverse
in the foreseeable future.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed
at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it
is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be
available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
Such reductions are reversed when the probability of
future taxable profits improves.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there
is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets
against current liabilities and when they relate to income
taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group
intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on
a net basis.
Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are
expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled,
or the asset is realised based on tax laws and rates
that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the
balance sheet date. Deferred tax is charged or credited
in the consolidated income statement, except when it
relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in
which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.
Foreign Currencies
The individual financial statements of each Group
Company are presented in the currency of the primary
economic environment in which it operates (its functional
currency). For the purpose of the consolidated
financial statements, the results and financial position
of each Group Company are expressed in euro, which
is the functional currency of the parent Company
and the presentation currency for the consolidated
financial statements.
In preparing the financial statements of the individual
companies, transactions in currencies other than the
entity’s functional currency (foreign currencies) are
recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the
dates of the transactions. At each reporting date,
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on
the reporting date.
Non-monetary items (including deferred revenue)
carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign
currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the
date when the fair value was determined in accordance
with IFRIC 22. Non-monetary items that are measured
in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are
not retranslated.
Exchange differences arising on the settlement of
monetary items, and on the retranslation of monetary
items, are included in the Consolidated Income Statement
and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the period. For the purpose of presenting consolidated
financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the
Group’s operations are translated at exchange rates
prevailing on the reporting date. Income and expense
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
175
items are translated at the average exchange rates for
the period, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly
during that period, in which case the exchange rates at
the date of transactions are used. Exchange differences
arising, if any, are classified as equity and transferred
to the Group’s foreign currency translation reserve.
Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the
acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets
and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the
closing rate. Exchange differences arising are recognised
in other comprehensive income.
Retirement Benefits Costs
The Group operates a defined contribution pension
scheme. Contributions made in respect of employees’
pension schemes are charged through the Consolidated
Income Statement in the period they become payable.
The Group pays contributions to privately administered
pension insurance plans. The Group has no further
payment obligations once the contributions have been
paid. The contributions are recognised as employee
benefit expense when they are due. Prepaid contributions
are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash
refund or a reduction in the future payments is available.
Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the cost
of the business combination over the Group’s interest
in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities
and contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary or
associate. Identifiable intangible assets, meeting either
the contractual-legal or separability criterion are
recognised separately from goodwill.
Goodwill on acquisition of subsidiaries is included
within intangible assets. Goodwill associated with the
acquisition of associates is included within the interest
in associates under the equity method of accounting.
Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at
cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more
frequently if events or changes in circumstances
indicated that the carrying value may be impaired.
For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is
allocated to the Group’s single Cash-Generating Unit
(“CGU”) that is expected to benefit from the synergies
of the combination.
If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit
is less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is
allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any
goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets
of the unit on a pro-rata basis based on the carrying
amount of each asset in the unit. Any impairment loss
for goodwill is recognised directly in profit or loss in
the consolidated income statement. An impairment
loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in
subsequent periods.
Other Intangible Assets
The Group has four classes of other intangible assets:
domain names, technology assets, affiliate contracts
and development costs. Other intangible assets are
capitalised at cost and amortised to operating expenses
before impairment in the Consolidated Income Statement
on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives:
Domain names
5–15 years
Technology
4 years
Affiliate contracts
5 years
Capitalised development costs
2–5 years
a) Domain names
Domain names relate to certain domain names,
trademarks and technology assets which are carried at
cost less accumulated amortisation and are amortised
over their useful life. Technology assets here include the
website, app interfaces and application programming
interfaces (“APIs”) that allow applications to interface
with databases, which collectively form the underlying
integrated Hostelworld Platform.
b) Technology
Technology assets relates to certain computer software
applications stated at cost less accumulated amortisation.
Costs incurred on the acquisition of computer software
are capitalised, as are costs directly associated with
developing computer software programmes for internal
use, if they meet the recognition criteria of IAS 38
‘Intangible Assets’.
c) Affiliate contracts
Affiliate contracts refers to contracts established with
certain affiliate partners whose function is to promote
the website and app. These contracts were identified
as a separately identifiable asset in line with IAS 38
‘Intangible Assets’ which allow affiliates to get real time
access to property, pricing and availability function
through affiliate APIs.
176
Financial Statements
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
1. Material Accounting Policies
continued
d) Development expenditure
Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an
expense in the period in which it is incurred. Development
expenditure in relation to internally-generated intangible
assets is capitalised when all of the following have been
demonstrated; the technical feasibility of completing the
intangible asset so that it will be available for use; the
intention to complete the project to which the intangible
asset relates and to use it or sell it; the ability to use
or sell the intangible asset, how the intangible asset
will generate probable future economic benefits; the
availability of adequate technical, financial and other
resources to complete the development and to use the
intangible asset; and the ability to measure reliably the
expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during
its development.
Development activities involve a plan or design for the
production of new or substantially improved products or
processes. Directly attributable costs that are capitalised
as part of the software product, website or system
include employee costs. Other development expenditures
that do not meet these criteria as well as ongoing
maintenance are recognised as an expense as incurred.
Development costs are amortised using the straight-line
method over their estimated useful lives. Amortisation
commences once the asset is in use, or where the
development activity is part of a multi-phase project,
where a particular phase is in use. An intangible asset is
derecognised on disposal or when no future economic
benefits are expected to arise from the continued use
or disposal of the asset. The gain or loss arising on the
disposal of an asset is recognised in the Consolidated
Income Statement when the asset is derecognised.
The residual value associated with all intangible assets
is deemed to be €nil.
Impairment of Tangible and Intangible Assets
Other than Goodwill
At the end of each reporting period, the Directors review
the carrying amounts of the Group’s tangible and
intangible assets to determine whether there is any
indication that those assets have suffered an impairment
loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable
amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine
the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is
not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an
individual asset, the Directors estimate the recoverable
amount of our cash-generating unit as a whole.
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible
assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment
at least annually, and whenever there is an indication
that the asset may be impaired.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs
of disposal and value in use. In assessing value in use,
the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their
present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects
current market assessments of the time value of money
and the risks specific to the asset. If the recoverable
amount of an asset (or the cash-generating unit) is
estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the
carrying amount of the asset (or the cash-generating
unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment
loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless
the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount,
in which case the impairment loss is treated as a
revaluation decrease.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the
carrying amount of the asset (or the cash-generating
unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable
amount. The increased carrying amount cannot exceed
the carrying amount that would have been determined
had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset
(or the cash-generating unit) in prior years. Additionally,
a reversal is only recognised in respect of the impairment
of non-goodwill assets within the cash-generating unit.
A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised
immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is
carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal
of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
Financial Instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in
the Group’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual
provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are initially measured
at fair value plus transaction costs, except for those
classified as fair value through profit or loss, which are
initially measured at fair value. The fair value of financial
assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency
is determined in that foreign currency and translated at
the spot rate at the end of the reporting period.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
177
(a)
Financial Assets
Trade and Other Receivables
Trade and other receivables are stated initially at their
transaction price and subsequently at amortised cost,
less any expected credit loss (“ECL”) provision. The
Group applies the simplified approach to measuring
ECLs which uses a lifetime ECL allowance for all
trade receivables.
(b)
Expected Credit Loss of Financial Assets
The Group always recognises lifetime ECLs for trade
receivables estimated using a provision matrix based
on the Group’s historical credit loss experience,
adjusted for factors that are specific to the debtors,
general economic conditions and an assessment of
both the current as well as the forecast direction of
conditions at the reporting date, including time value
of money where appropriate.
Lifetime ECLs represents the ECLs that will result from all
possible default events over the expected life of a financial
instrument. ECLs are reported in the Consolidated
Income Statement. An event of default occurs where
there is failure by a debtor to fulfil an obligation and
there is no likely recourse available. For example, if
a hostel has gone out of business.
(c)
Financial Liabilities
Trade and Other Payables
Trade and other payables are initially recorded at fair
value, which is usually the original invoiced amount, and
subsequently carried at amortised cost. Liabilities are
derecognised when the obligation under the liability is
discharged, cancelled or expires.
Loans and Borrowings
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at
fair value of the proceeds received less any directly
attributable transaction costs. Transaction costs include
fees and commission paid to agents, advisers brokers
and dealers. After initial recognition, interest-bearing
loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at
amortised cost using the effective interest method being
the amount at which the financial liability is measured at
initial recognition minus any principal repayments, plus
or minus the cumulative amortisation using the effective
interest method of any difference between that initial
amount and the maturity amount. Borrowings are
de-recognised when the Group’s obligations specified
in the contracts expire, are discharged or cancelled.
Borrowings are classified as current or non-current,
dependent on the rights that exist at the end of the
reporting period. Borrowings are classified as current
liabilities unless the Group has the right to defer
settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after
the reporting date.
Other Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value
and are subsequently stated at amortised cost using
the effective interest method. The effective interest
method is a method for calculating the amortised cost
of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense
over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is
the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash
payments through the expected life of the financial
liability to the amortised cost of a financial liability.
Financial liabilities are classified as current liabilities
unless the Group has the right to defer settlement of
the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting
date. The Directors determine the classification of the
Group’s financial liabilities at initial recognition.
(d)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits
held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or
less. Restricted cash and cash equivalent balances are
those which meet the definition of cash and cash
equivalents but are not available for use by the Group,
including those which are under contractual restriction.
Dividends
Final dividends are recorded in the Group’s financial
statements in the period in which they are approved
by the Company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are
recorded in the period in which they are paid.
Share-Based Payments
Equity settled share-based payments to employees are
measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at
the grant date. The fair value excludes the effect of
non-market-based vesting conditions. Details regarding
the determination of the fair value of equity-settled
share-based transactions are set out in note 24.
The fair value determined at the grant date of the
equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a
straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the
Group’s estimate of equity instruments that will eventually
vest. At each reporting date, the Group revises its
estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to
vest as a result of the effect of non-market-based vesting
conditions. The impact of the revision of the original
178
Financial Statements
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
1. Material Accounting Policies
continued
estimates, if any, is recognised in the Consolidated
Income Statement such that the cumulative expense
reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding
adjustment to the share-based payment reserve.
For cash settled share-based payments, a liability is
recognised for the services acquired, measured initially
at the fair value of the liability. At each reporting date
until the liability is settled, and at the date of settlement,
the fair value of the liability is re-measured, with any
changes in fair value recognised in the Consolidated
Income Statement for the year.
In assessing any modification of employee share-based
payment transactions, the Group assesses if the change
in the terms and conditions has an effect on the amount
recognised which depends on whether the fair value of
the new instruments is greater than the fair value of the
original instruments. Modifications that increase the fair
value of the grant result in recognition of the incremental
fair value measured at the date of modification.
Earnings Per Share
The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per
share (“EPS”) data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is
calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary
shareholders by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted
earnings per share is computed by adjusting the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue to assume
conversion of all potential dilutive ordinary shares.
2.
Critical Accounting Judgements and
Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, the
Directors are required to make judgements (other than
those involving estimations) that have a significant
impact on the amounts recognised and to make
estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts
of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. The estimates and associated
assumptions are based on historical experience and
other factors considered relevant. Actual results may
differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed
on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates
are recognised in the year in which the estimate is
revised if the revision affects only that year, or in the year
of the revision and future years if the revision affects
both current and future years.
(a) Critical Judgements in Applying the
Group’s Accounting Policies:
The following are the critical judgements, apart from
those involving estimations (which are presented
separately below), that the Directors have made in the
process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and
that have the most significant effect on the amounts
recognised in financial statements.
Capitalisation of Development Costs
Development costs are capitalised when the criteria set
out in paragraph 57 of IAS 38 Intangible assets have
been demonstrated as disclosed in our accounting policy
disclosed on page 176 and 177. Total additions amounted
to €5.5 million (2023: €4.0 million) and carrying value of
the capitalised development asset at the balance sheet
date totalled €9.7 million (2023: €7.8 million).
Determining the amount to be capitalised requires
management to make judgements about each asset to
ensure that they meet the requirements of the standard.
Business cases have been prepared in line with our
Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook,
and further two years of management projections.
The primary projects capitalised in the current year
relate to new features within our social product and
modernising our legacy platforms which both form a
key part of the Group’s growth strategy.
Should trading deteriorate significantly it is reasonably
possible within the next financial year that development
costs may require a material adjustment to their
carrying amount.
Accounting for Exceptional Items
Exceptional items by their nature and size can make
interpretation of the underlying trends in the business
more difficult. Judgement is used in assessing the
particular items which by virtue of their scale and nature
should be disclosed as exceptional items. Circumstances
that the Group believe would give rise to exceptional
items for separate disclosure are outlined in the
exceptional accounting policy on page 173. There were
no current year exceptional costs (2023: €3.8 million).
(b) Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty:
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other
key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting
period that may have a significant risk of causing a
material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities within the next financial year are
discussed below.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
179
Recoverability of Deferred Tax Assets
At 31 December 2024 the carrying value of deferred tax
assets amounted to €13.8 million (2023: €15.5 million).
The recoverability of these deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the future profitability of the Group. The
recoverability assessment has been based upon Board
approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further
two years of management projections, with appropriate
tax adjustments to accurately reflect the underlying
profit before tax against which deferred tax losses can
be utilised.
The Group does not have any binding fixed term contracts
in place which guarantee profitability, but prior to the
impact of COVID-19 the Group generated a profit after
tax each trading year since its IPO in 2015. In 2024 the
Group returned to a profit before tax of €11.1 million
(2023: loss of €1.1 million). The Group has forecasted
a growing profit in each year 2025 to 2029, driven by
growth in bookings and revenue, a declining marketing
cost as a % of revenue driven by its social strategy cost
discipline and nil interest costs as a result of exiting its
external debt facilities. Details of the business operations
expected to derive future profits are set out in the
strategic report on pages 10 to 83. Based on the
assessment performed there were no issues on the
recoverability of the deferred tax asset.
As part of our recoverability analysis, the Group has
performed a sensitivity analysis on taxable profits growth
over the next five years, to mirror the same cashflows
utilised for viability assessments and intangible asset
impairment reviews. A reduction in profits of 10% had no
impact on the recoverability of the deferred tax asset.
The Group’s forecasted taxable profits would have to
decline by over 37% over the next five years before
there is a risk that the deferred tax asset is not fully
recovered in that period.
Carrying Value of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Directors assess annually whether goodwill has
suffered any impairment, in accordance with the relevant
accounting policy, and intangible assets are assessed for
possible impairment where indicators of impairment exist.
The recoverable amounts of our CGU is determined
based on the higher of fair value less costs of disposal
or value in use calculations. The carrying amount of
goodwill at 31 December 2024 amounted to €17.8 million
(2023: €17.8 million) and the carrying amount of domain
names amounted to €36.0 million (2023: €40.9 million).
Based on work performed and the headroom identified
in the model no impairment was deemed necessary
in 2024.
Management estimation is required in forecasting future
cash flows of the cash-generating unit including the
budgeting of future cash flows, the discount rates applied
to these cashflows, the expected long-term growth rate
of the business and terminal values. The area of
estimation of most risk relates to the certainty of
delivering the growth rates forecasted. Further details
on the assumptions used and sensitivity analysis are
set out in note 11.
3. Revenue and Segmental Analysis
The Group is managed as a single business unit which
provides software and data processing services that
facilitate hostel, hotel and other accommodation
worldwide, including ancillary on-line advertising revenue.
The Directors determine, and present operating
segments based on the information that is provided
internally to the Chief Executive Officer, who is the
Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”).
When making resource allocation decisions, the CODM
evaluates booking numbers and average booking
values (“abvs”). Net ABV is defined in Appendix 1
Alternative Performance Measures. The objective in
making resource allocation decisions is to maximise
consolidated financial results.
The CODM assesses the performance of the business
based on the consolidated adjusted profit after tax of the
Group throughout the year. This measure excludes the
effects of certain income and expense items, which
are unusual by virtue of their size and incidence, in the
context of the Group’s ongoing core operations, such
as the impairment of investment in associate and other
one-off items of expenditure.
All revenue is derived wholly from external customers
and is generated from a large number of customers,
none of whom is individually significant.
The Group’s major revenue-generating asset class
comprises of its software and data processing services
and is directly attributable to its reportable segment
operations. In addition, as the Group is managed as
a single business unit, all other assets and liabilities
have been allocated to the Group’s single reportable
segment. There have been no changes to the basis
of segmentation or the measurement basis for the
segment profit or loss.
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Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
3. Revenue and Segmental Analysis
continued
Revenue split by country, is dependent on the location of the hostel or property. As no single country, year-on-year,
contributes 10% or more of total revenue we have not disclosed revenue by country due to its disaggregated nature.
Our top five countries year-on-year account for 34% of overall revenue (2023: 36%) relating to USA, Australia, and
key European destinations. Revenue split by continent is presented as follows:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Europe
51.6
56.4
Americas
17.0
17.3
Asia, Africa and Oceania
23.4
19.6
Total revenue
92.0
93.3
Revenue arising within Ireland, the country of domicile, amounted to €1.8 million (2023: €1.8 million).
Disaggregation of revenue is presented as follows:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Technology and data processing fees
90.0
92.1
Advertising revenue and ancillary services
2.0
1.2
Total revenue
92.0
93.3
In the year ended 31 December 2024, the Group generated 98% (2023: 99%) of its revenues from the technology
and data processing fees that it charged to accommodation providers.
As at 31 December 2024, €3.2 million of revenue relating to free cancellation bookings has been deferred (2023:
€3.4 million).
Revenue is recognised at the time the reservation is made in respect of non-refundable commission on the basis that
the Group has met its performance obligations at the time the booking is made. In respect of the free cancellation
product, which offers the traveller the opportunity to make a booking on a free cancellation basis and to receive a
refund of their deposit in certain circumstances, such related revenue is not recognised until the last cancellation date
has passed as one party can withdraw from the contract until such a date has passed. Deferred revenue is expected
to be recognised within twelve months of initial recognition.
Advertising revenue and revenue generated from other services are recognised over the period when the service
is performed.
The Group’s non-current assets are largely located in Ireland and Portugal for current year and prior year, and
Australia in the prior year. These are disaggregated below. Movement in non-current assets in Australia relates to the
impairment of the investment in associate located in Australia, see note 14 for further details. The Group has a small
amount of non-current assets in other locations such as United Kingdom and China which are deemed immaterial
to disclose individually.
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Total non-current assets
77.8
84.7
Analysed as:
   
Ireland
77.7
83.5
Australia
1.1
Portugal
0.1
0.1
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
181
4. Operating Expenses Excluding Impairment
Profit for the year has been arrived at after charging the following operating costs:
     
As restated
   
2024
2023
 
Notes
€’m
€’m
Marketing expenses – direct
(1)
 
42.5
46.6
Marketing expenses – brand
 
0.8
0.7
Staff costs
 
19.0
19.7
Credit card and other processing fees
(1)
 
2.9
3.0
Platform operating costs
 
3.2
3.2
External contractor costs
 
1.7
1.3
Exceptional items
5
0.2
FX loss
 
0.1
0.2
Other administrative costs
 
1.6
1.7
Total administrative expenses
 
71.8
76.6
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
12
0.6
1.0
Amortisation of intangible fixed assets
11
8.5
10.8
Total operating expenses excluding impairment
 
80.9
88.4
(1)
€0.2 million of fees that have been passed on from our direct marketing partners have been re-presented in the prior year between marketing expenses
– direct and credit card and other processing fees for a fairer presentation of the direct marketing costs incurred by the Group.
Reversal of impairment of trade receivables in the current and prior year is not considered material to
individually disclose.
Other administrative costs are net of external contractor costs capitalised of €1.2 million (2023: €0.8 million) and
include rent and rates, legal and professional and training and recruitment.
Included within operating expenses is a total credit of €0.2 million (2023: €0.2 million) in relation to a research and
development (“R&D”) tax credit claimed in respect of projects completed in 2023 and 2022. R&D tax credit applications
are completed with our tax advisors and the Irish Revenue Commissioners and are recognised by Group only on
formal approval of an R&D tax credit application made.
Auditor’s Remuneration
KPMG were appointed as statutory auditors on 09 May 2023. Current year and prior year services and fees are set
out below for services obtained from the Group’s auditor KPMG. Included in prior year numbers is €7k relating to
Deloitte Ireland LLP for final services performed in respect to the 2022 financial year.
 
2024
2023
 
€’000
€’000
Fees payable for the statutory audit of the Company and consolidated financial statements
62
60
Fees payable for other services:
   
– statutory audit of subsidiary undertakings
181
160
– tax advisory services
– audit related assurance services
7
– corporate finance services
– other non–audit services
Total
243
227
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
182
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
5. Exceptional Items
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Restructuring costs
3.8
Total
3.8
Included in prior year exceptional items are operating costs of €0.2 million and finance costs of €3.6 million. These
exceptional items primarily relate to costs incurred on refinancing of the HPS facility totalling €3.6 million, broken down
as €0.7 million of early repayment penalty interest, €0.1 million of transaction costs relating to exiting the old facility
and €2.8 million accelerated interest costs which relate to transaction costs capitalised on drawdown of HPS facility
in February 2021, which were expected to be amortised over a 5-year period to 2026, but unwound in full on refinancing.
6. Staff Costs
The average monthly number of people employed (including Executive Directors) was as follows:
 
2024
2023
Average number of persons employed:
   
Sales and enabling
94
94
Technical
134
137
Total
228
231
The aggregate remuneration costs of these employees is analysed as follows:
   
2024
2023
 
Notes
€’m
€’m
Staff costs comprise:
     
Wages and salaries
 
17.7
17.9
Social security costs
 
2.2
2.1
Pensions costs
 
0.5
0.4
Other benefits
 
0.5
0.5
Share option charge
24
1.8
1.7
   
22.7
22.6
Capitalised development labour
11
(3.7)
(2.9)
Total
 
19.0
19.7
Capitalised development labour includes €3.7 million (2023: €2.9 million) of employee costs capitalised. Increase
year-on-year driven by the nature of 2024 projects completed and wage inflation.
7. Other Income
 
2024
2023
Notes
€’m
€’m
Provision release
1.3
Total
1.3
Amount relates to a revision in the probability of payment and subsequent release of a balance sheet provision for
amounts owed to customers from bookings cancelled due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. The Group have
determined that the possibility of an outflow of economic benefit is remote despite attempts to settle payment.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
183
8. Finance Costs
 
Notes
2024
2023
   
€’m
€’m
Finance costs – HPS facility
22
1.6
Finance costs – AIB facility
22
0.4
0.7
Finance costs – exceptional
5
3.6
Finance costs – warehoused debt
 
(0.2)
0.2
Finance costs – other
 
0.1
Total
 
0.3
6.1
Included in ‘finance costs – warehoused debt’ is a credit of €0.2 million regarding interest recognised in the prior
year on the balance of warehoused payroll tax liabilities, which was not paid. In the current year the Irish Revenue
Commissioners announced that the applicable rate of interest on these will reduce to 0%, with any amounts accrued
being written off.
9. Taxation
   
2024
2023
 
Notes
€’m
€’m
Corporation tax:
     
Current year charge
 
0.3
0.2
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
13
1.7
(6.4)
Total tax charge/(credit) for the year
 
2.0
(6.2)
Corporation tax is calculated at 12.5% (2023: 12.5%) of the estimated taxable profit/
(loss) for the year. The Irish 12.5%
corporation tax rate has been used as this is the rate at which most of the Group’s profits are taxed. Taxation for other
jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The corporation tax charge that arises
relates primarily to international operations where tax losses from our Irish operations cannot be utilised.
The charge for the year can be reconciled to the Consolidated Income Statement as follows:
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Profit/(loss) before tax on continuing operations
11.1
(1.1)
Tax at the Irish corporation tax rate of 12.5% (2023: 12.5%)
1.4
(0.1)
Effects of:
   
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
0.5
1.2
Tax effect of losses utilised
(0.4)
(0.4)
Tax effect of income taxed at different rates
0.1
Depreciation and amortisation (less) than capital allowances
(1.3)
(0.7)
Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions
0.1
0.1
Net movement/(recognition) of deferred tax asset (note 13
)
1.7
(6.4)
Total
2.0
(6.2)
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit include share-based payment expense and
impairment of investment in associate. In the prior year tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining
taxable profit include finance costs and exceptional items. Depreciation and amortisation (less) than capital allowances
driven by current year usage of capital allowances on intangible assets carried forward, due to the increased profitability
in the Group.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
184
10. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the profit for the year after tax available to ordinary shareholders
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
 
2024
2023
Weighted average number of shares in issue (‘m)
124.5
122
Profit for the year (€’m)
9.1
5.1
Basic earnings per share (euro cent)
7.28
4.21
Diluted earnings per share is computed by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue to
assume conversion of all potential dilutive ordinary shares. Share options and share awards (note 24) are the Company’s
only potential dilutive ordinary shares.
 
2024
2023
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (‘m)
124.5
122.0
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares:
   
Share options (‘m)
4.9
4.4
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted earnings per share (‘m)
129.4
126.4
Diluted earnings per share (euro cent)
7.01
4.07
11. Intangible Assets
The table below shows the movements in intangible assets for the year:
         
Capitalised
 
   
Domain
 
Affiliates
development
 
 
Goodwill
names
Technology
contracts
costs
Total
 
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
Cost
           
Balance at 01 January 2023
47.2
214.8
14.1
5.5
26.9
308.5
Additions
4.0
4.0
Balance at 31 December 2023
47.2
214.8
14.1
5.5
30.9
312.5
Additions
5.5
5.5
Balance at 31 December 2024
47.2
214.8
14.1
5.5
36.4
318.0
Accumulated amortisation
           
and impairment
           
Balance at 01 January 2023
(29.4)
(166.1)
(14.1)
(5.5)
(20.1)
(235.2)
Charge for year
(7.8)
(3.0)
(10.8)
Balance at 31 December 2023
(29.4)
(173.9)
(14.1)
(5.5)
(23.1)
(246)
Charge for year
(4.9)
(3.6)
(8.5)
Balance at 31 December 2024
(29.4)
(178.8)
(14.1)
(5.5)
(26.7)
(254.5)
Carrying amount
           
At 31 December 2023
17.8
40.9
7.8
66.5
At 31 December 2024
17.8
36.0
9.7
63.5
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
185
Capitalised development cost additions during the year comprised of internal staff costs of €3.7 million (2023:
€2.9 million) and other internally generated additions of €1.8 million (2023: €1.1 million). Development costs have
been capitalised in accordance with IAS 38 Intangible Assets and are therefore not treated, for dividend purposes,
as a realised loss. Hostelworld continue to utilise affiliate contracts to generate revenue and continue to pay affiliate
partner commissions.
Impairment Review:
The carrying value of the capitalised development costs balance at 31 December 2024 is €9.7 million (2023: €7.8 million).
The useful life of development costs is dependent on the nature of the project capitalised and varies from 2-5 years.
An impairment review is performed annually to ensure that the economic benefit expected to be derived from the
capitalised development cost project has occurred. No issue arose on this review, management area satisfied with
the carrying value of each capitalised project and no impairments were recognised in 2024 or 2023.
The carrying value of the goodwill balance at 31 December 2024 is €17.8 million (2023: €17.8 million) and relates to
an investment in Hostelworld by the Group in 2009. Goodwill, which has an indefinite useful life, is subject to annual
impairment testing, or more frequent testing if there are indicators of impairment. Following impairment testing based
on the assumptions below, no impairment was recognised for goodwill in the current or prior year.
The carrying value of the Group’s domain names and technology assets, referred to henceforth as ‘intellectual
property’ at 31 December 2024 is €36.0 million (2023: €40.9 million). Following impairment testing based on the
assumptions below, no impairment was recognised for the Group’s intellectual property in the current or prior year.
Cash Generating Unit:
The Group’s goodwill and intellectual property are allocated to a single CGU, encompassing goodwill, intellectual
property, trademarks, and the Hostelworld domains and apps, as well as the back-end property management system
and technology used by hostels. This singular CGU reflects the Group’s focus on Hostelworld as the main trading
brand, where future investment and marketing are concentrated.
The recoverable amount of the goodwill and intellectual property allocated to the singular CGU is determined based
on a value in use basis. The key assumptions for calculating value in use of the CGU are discount rates, growth rates
and cash flows as described below. All three assumptions are based on the Group’s budgeting and forecasting
process which we describe in detail.
Current Year Discount Rate Applied:
   
 
2024
2023
Pre-tax discount rate
16.68%
17.52%
Post-tax discount rate
12.90%
13.70%
The discount rates are based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), calculated using the Capital
Asset Pricing Model adjusted for the Group’s specific beta coefficient together with a company size premium.
As using the Group’s WACC to derive a discount rate, post-tax discount rates have been applied to post-tax cash flows.
The Irish corporation tax rate of 12.5% has been used in deriving post-tax cash flows as most Group profits will be
taxed at this rate. The impact of using a post-tax discount rate over a pre-tax discount rate has been assessed and
gives rise to no material difference.
Discount rates have decreased year-on-year primarily driven by a decrease in government bond rates.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
11. Intangible Assets
continued
186
Cash Flows:
The cash flow projections are based on a Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further two years
of management projections described previously and is consistent with the forecasts used for the Group’s review of
deferred tax recoverability, going concern and viability assessments. In preparing the Board approved 2025 budget
and two-year outlook, and further two years of management projections, management have based projections on
historical performance, together with management’s expectation of future trends. Management have also considered
the Group’s history of earnings and core strategic initiatives including improving the competitiveness of our core OTA
business and platform modernisation.
Within cash flows, management have also considered capital expenditure requirements to maintain the CGU
performance and profitability. Working capital requirements are forecast to move in line with activity.
Further detail on how we have viewed climate related risks is set out in our material accounting policies on page 170.
Growth Rates:
Growth rates are assessed based on the Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further two years
of management projections. Growth rates included in the Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and
further two years of management projections ranged from 14% to 7% (2023: 12% to 9%). A terminal value of 2%
(2023: 2%) growth into perpetuity was used to extrapolate cash flows beyond the Board approved 2025 budget and
two-year outlook, and further two years of management projections. This growth rate does not exceed the long-term
average growth rate for the industry in which the Group operates.
Sensitivity Analysis:
The key assumptions underlying the impairment review are set out above. Sensitivity analysis has been conducted
using the following sensitivity assumptions: a 5% increase in the discount rate; 10% decline in revenue in each year
of the Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further two years of management projections and
nil terminal value growth. Under each scenario no impairment was identified.
Sensitivity analysis has been completed on key assumptions in isolation and in combination, and the headroom
included is significant. The key assumptions are discount factor, long term growth rates and growth rates for each
of the Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further two years of management projections.
From our sensitivity analysis we identified that the post-tax discount rate would need to increase by 38.95% to result
in impairment. Management consider this scenario to be very unlikely.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
187
12. Property, Plant and Equipment
The table below shows the movements in property, plant and equipment for the year:
   
 
Right-of-use
Leasehold
     
 
assets (leasehold
property
Fixtures &
Computer
 
 
property)
improvements
equipment
equipment
Total
 
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
Cost
         
Balance at 01 January 2023
1.3
0.5
0.2
0.4
2.4
Additions
1.2
0.1
1.3
Disposals
(1.1)
(0.5)
(0.2)
(0.1)
(1.9)
Balance at 31 December 2023
1.4
0.4
1.8
Additions
0.5
 
0.1
0.6
Disposals
(1.2)
(0.1)
(1.3)
Balance at 31 December 2024
0.7
0.4
1.1
Accumulated depreciation
         
Balance at 01 January 2023
(0.8)
(0.5)
(0.1)
(0.2)
(1.6)
Charge for year
(0.8)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(1.0)
Disposals
0.8
0.5
0.2
0.1
1.6
Balance at 31 December 2023
(0.8)
(0.2)
(1.0)
Charge for year
(0.5)
(0.1)
(0.6)
Disposals
0.9
0.1
1.0
Balance at 31 December 2024
(0.4)
(0.2)
(0.6)
Carrying amount
         
At 31 December 2023
0.6
0.2
0.8
At 31 December 2024
0.3
0.2
0.5
Right-of-use assets relate to the Group’s lease commitments for office space in Ireland, Portugal, Australia and China.
Further detail is included in note 15. The average remaining lease term of leases entered at 31 December 2024 is less
than 1 year (2023: less than one year). Disposals in the current year relating to an exit of a lease agreement for the
Dublin office. Additions in the current year relate to new lease agreements entered in Dublin, Portugal and
Australia. The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is presented in note 15.
13. Deferred Taxation
The following are the major deferred taxation assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the
current and prior reporting year. Deferred tax assets primarily relating to temporary differences between the carrying
value of intangible assets and their tax base. The Group also has a deferred tax liability relating to lease commitments
which is immaterial to disclose.
   
 
Intangible
 
Losses and
 
 
assets
Property, plant
interest relief
Total
 
€’m
and equipment €’m
€’m
€’m
At 01 January 2023
9.0
0.1
9.1
Credit/(charge) to income statement
1.0
(0.1)
5.5
6.4
At 01 January 2024
10.0
5.5
15.5
Charge to income statement
(1.3)
(0.4)
(1.7)
At 31 December 2024
8.7
5.1
13.8
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
13. Deferred Taxation
continued
188
In the prior year the Group recognised a deferred tax asset relating COVID-19 trading losses and interest relief which
can be carried forward. There is no expiry on these assets. A deferred tax asset has been recognised on the basis
that the realisation of the related tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable. In assessing the recoverability
of deferred tax assets arising from the carry forward of unused tax losses and capital allowances, the Group considered
the following:
The Group considered the location of the taxable entities. In the Group all tax losses, interest tax relief and intangible
assets arose from Hostelworld.com Limited, the main trading entity, which is located in Ireland. Please see further
details in note 26 which includes a full list of subsidiaries.
The Group has considered the Board approved 2025 budget and two-year outlook, and further two years of
management projections, and a long term growth rate of 2% thereafter, that is consistent with the forecasts used
for the Group’s review of impairment, going concern and viability assessments. Whilst the forecasts include
inherent estimation uncertainty, the Group determined that there would be sufficient taxable income generated
to realise the benefit of the deferred tax assets and no reasonably possible change to key assumptions would
result in a material reduction in forecast headroom of tax profits. On this basis, the Group concluded that there is
not a significant risk of a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the deferred tax asset.
The Group made a significant judgement on the timing of utilising the unused tax losses, as detailed in note 2
key sources of estimation uncertainty.
The Group does not have any unrecognised deferred tax asset.
The total tax charge in future periods will be affected by any changes to the applicable tax rates in force in jurisdictions
in which the Group operates and other relevant changes in tax legislation.
14. Investment in Associate
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Opening balance
1.1
1.0
Share of results of associate
0.1
0.1
Impairment in investment
(1.2)
Closing balance
1.1
The Group holds an investment in Goki Pty Limited, an Australian resident company. Goki Pty Limited’s principal
activity is the sale of locks and supporting technology systems, and its principal place of business is Australia. The
Group controls 31.5% of the voting rights and holds one Board seat, out of four. The Group has significant influence
but not control over the entity, due to the nature of its voting rights and therefore accounts for it as an associate using
the equity method.
Impairment Review
Although the Group incurred a profit in their share of results in the associate in the current year this largely arose from
H1 2024 trading which deteriorated over H2 2024. At 31 December 2024 the Group recognised an impairment loss
in the Consolidated Income Statement for the full €1.2 million carrying value at 31 December 2024. This was driven
by the H2 decline in the associate’s financial performance and based on future projections received from Goki Pty
Limited which do not support profitability driven by unfavourable changes in market conditions including increased
competition and inventory supply issues.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
189
The recoverable amount of the investment was assessed as the higher of value in use and fair value less costs of
disposal. Due to the commercial difficulties being experienced by Goki Pty Limited forecasting is limited to an immediate
short-term outlook meaning a lack of forecasted future cash flows to support a value in use amount. The fair value
less costs of disposal is considered to be nil due to the commercial difficulties being experienced.
Summarised financial information in respect of Goki Pty Limited is set out below. This represents the amounts in
Goki Pty Limited’s financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRSs.
Statement of Financial Position of Goki Pty Limited as at 31 December 2024:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Non-current assets
Current assets
0.6
1.2
Current liabilities
(0.3)
(1.1)
Equity attributable to owners of the company
0.3
0.1
Income Statement of Goki Pty Limited for the Year Ended 31 December 2024:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Revenue
1.5
2
Profit after tax
0.2
0.4
Total comprehensive profit
0.2
0.4
Group share of results of associate
0.1
0.1
Reconciliation of the above summarised financial information to the carrying amount of the Group’s interest in Goki
Pty Limited recognised in the consolidated financial statements:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Net assets of Goki Pty Limited
0.3
0.1
Proportion of the Group’s ownership interest in the associate
31.5%
31.5%
Group share of net assets
0.1
Goodwill and transaction costs
1.9
1.9
Other adjustments
(0.8)
(0.8)
Impairment of investment in associate
(1.2)
Carrying amount of the Group’s interest in associate
1.1
Other adjustments relate to the elimination of the Group’s 31.5% (2023: 31.5%) equity investment within the net assets
of Goki Pty Limited and amounts to 31.5% (2023: 31.5%) of the share capital of Goki Pty Limited.
Convertible Loan Note
On 31 May 2022 Goki Pty Limited entered a USD $1.0 million convertible note subscription deed with an Australian
special purpose vehicle. It is unsecured facility, bears no interest and is convertible to 10% of the ordinary shareholding
of Goki Pty Limited, at the discretion of either party. If the noteholder coverts to ordinary share of Goki Pty Limited,
it would result in the Group’s shareholding reducing to 28.6%. At 31 December 2024 €0.2 million (2023: €0.9 million)
remains outstanding in respect of this loan note. There has not been any conversion to ordinary shares.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
190
15. Lease Liabilities
Lease liabilities relate to the Group’s lease commitments for office space in Ireland, Portugal, Australia and China.
The movement in the Group’s right-of-use assets relating to additions and disposals during the period is set out in
note 12. The movement in the Group’s lease liabilities during the period is as follows:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Opening lease liability
0.6
0.6
Additions
0.5
1.2
Disposals
(0.3)
(0.3)
Payments
(0.5)
(0.9)
Closing lease liability
0.3
0.6
Total lease payments included in the cash flow amount to €0.5 million (2023: €0.9 million) relating to lease payments
and related foreign exchange differences on lease payments. There is a clear payment schedule associated with our
lease liabilities and based on our cash flow forecasts the Group does not face any significant liquidity risk with regards
to its lease liabilities.
Lease interest expense is immaterial to disclose separately here.
The maturity analysis of these lease liabilities is as follows:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Maturity analysis
   
Within one year
0.3
0.5
Between one and five years
0.1
Less unearned interest
Total
0.3
0.6
These liabilities are classified in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as:
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Non-current lease liabilities
0.1
Current lease liabilities
0.3
0.5
Total
0.3
0.6
The Group has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard on transition and at each reporting
date – the use of a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics, the accounting
for operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 01 January 2020 as short-term leases
and the use of hindsight in determining the lease term where the contract contains options to extend or terminate
the lease.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
191
Amounts Recognised in Consolidated Income Statement:
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Depreciation expense on right-of-use assets
0.5
0.8
Total
0.5
0.8
Lease interest expense is immaterial to disclose separately here. At 31 December 2024, the Group is not committed
to any short-term leases (2023: €nil).
16. Trade and Other Receivables
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Amounts falling due within one year
   
Trade receivables
1.2
0.8
Prepayments and other receivables
1.8
1.2
Value added tax
1.5
1.3
Total
4.5
3.3
Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of trade and other receivables is deemed to be their fair value. Trade
receivables are non-interest bearing and trade receivable days are 4 days (2023: 3 days).
Trade receivables primarily relate to VAT to be recovered from Irish hostels and amounts due from the Group’s payment
processing agents, which are due for maturity within 5 days.
The Group always recognises lifetime ECLs for trade receivables estimated using a provision matrix based on the
Group’s historical credit loss experience including an assessment of the volume of debt adjusted for factors that are
specific to the debtors, general economic conditions and an assessment of both the current as well as the forecast
direction of conditions at the reporting date, including time value of money where appropriate. The balance and
the movement during the year of the ECL in the current and prior year is less than €0.1 million and is deemed to be
immaterial for separate disclosure.
Value added tax is an amount recoverable from the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
192
17. Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Non-current assets
   
Cash and cash equivalents
0.8
Total
0.8
Prior year non-current asset amount of €0.8 million relates to a rental guarantee in place which has been classified
in non-current assets as the guarantee is in place for a period of longer than 12 months after the balance sheet date.
Current year classification as current is driven by the terms of the rental guarantee which will be discharged in full
in April 2025. As the amount is held in a bank account which can be accessed by the Group the amount has been
disclosed as a cash and cash equivalent.
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Current assets
   
Cash and cash equivalents
8.2
6.7
Total
8.2
6.7
Balance of cash and cash equivalents comprise of cash and short-term bank deposits only.
18. Share Capital
   
 
No of shares
Ordinary
Share
 
 
of €0.01 each
shares
premium
Total
 
(thousands)
€’m
€’m
€’m
At 31 December 2023
123,639
1.3
14.4
15.7
Share issue – LTIP
1,346
Share issue – SAYE
5
At 31 December 2024
124,990
1.3
14.4
15.7
The Group has one class of ordinary shares which carries no right to fixed income. The share capital of the Group is
represented by the share capital of the parent company, Hostelworld Group plc. All the Company’s shares are allotted,
called up, fully paid and quoted on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Dublin.
On 29 April 2024 the Company issued 1,345,870 shares to satisfy long term incentive plan awards in relation to
LTIP 2021 at €0.01 per share, and on 22 April 2024 the Company issued 5,245 shares to satisfy terms of the SAYE
2020 scheme at €0.01 per share. Total value of ordinary shares issued in the current year was €14k (2023: €61k).
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
193
19. Other Reserves
The analysis of movement in reserves is shown in the Statement of Changes in Equity.
Reconciliation and movement of amounts included in other reserves are set out below:
 
Foreign currency
Share-based
 
Total
 
translation
payment
Warrant
other
 
reserve
reserve
reserve
reserves
 
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
Balance at 01 January 2023
3.3
3.1
6.4
Transfer of exercised and expired share-based awards
(2.1)
(2.1)
Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of warrants
(3.1)
(3.1)
Credit to equity for equity settled share-based payments
1.7
1.7
Balance at 31 December 2023
2.9
2.9
Transfer of exercised and expired share-based awards
(1.7)
(1.7)
Credit to equity for equity settled share-based payments
1.8
1.8
Balance at 31 December 2024
3.0
3.0
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve
The foreign currency reserve reflects the foreign exchange gains and losses arising from the translation of the Group’s
net investment in foreign operations. Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations amounted to a gain
of €12k for the current year (2023: loss €24k) which is not considered material for disclosure above.
Share-Based Payment Reserve
The share-based payment reserve reflects the equity settled share-based payment plans in operation by the Group
(note 24).
Warrant Reserve
The warrant reserve was created to account for warrants exercisable by HPS Investment Partners LLC (or subsidiaries
or affiliates thereof). On agreement of terms of the legacy COVID-19 debt facility with HPS, Hostelworld agreed to
issue warrants over 3,315,153 ordinary shares of €0.01 each in the capital of Hostelworld (equivalent to 2.85% of
Hostelworld’s current issued share capital at the time of issue of the warrants) to HPS. The warrants were exercisable
at any time during the term of the loan and for a twelve-month period following its scheduled termination at an exercise
price of €0.01 per ordinary share. On 29 March 2023 3,315,153 shares were issued to HPS on issuance of warrants.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
194
20. Warehoused Payroll Taxes
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Opening balance
9.6
9.4
Repayments made
(3.2)
Finance costs (unwind)/costs
(0.2)
0.2
Closing balance
6.2
9.6
The Group availed of the Irish Revenue tax warehousing scheme and deferred payment on all Irish employer taxes
arising during the period from February 2021 to March 2022.
Total warehoused liability as at 31 December 2024 was €6.2 million (2023: €9.6 million). Prior year liability included
an interest charge incurred of 3% on the outstanding warehoused liability debt since 01 May 2023. In 2024 the Group
released €0.2 million of interest, which had not been paid, relating to an announcement by the Revenue Commissioners
on 05 February 2024 that the applicable rate of interest on debt warehoused would retrospectively reduce to 0%.
The Group made an initial down payment of 15% in line with the repayment terms set with the Irish Revenue
Commissioners in May 2024, followed by monthly payments of €0.2 million thereafter which will continue over a
three-year period to April 2027. This repayment plan is reflected in the classification of the liability between current
and non-current.
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Non-current liability
3.5
6.4
Current liability
2.7
3.2
Total warehoused payroll taxes
6.2
9.6
21. Trade and Other Payables
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Current liabilities
   
Trade payables
4.1
3.3
Accruals and other payables
5.2
5.9
Customer provisions
0.1
1.3
Deferred revenue
3.5
3.9
Payroll taxes (non-warehoused)
0.7
0.6
Total
13.6
15.0
The average credit period for the Group in respect of trade payables is 21 days (2023: 16 days). The Directors consider
that the carrying amount of trade and other payables is deemed to be to their fair value.
Reduction in customer provisions relates to an unwind of a refund provision which the Group now consider that the
possibility of an outflow of economic benefit is remote, with a release recognised in other income. Remaining balance
relates to a credit provision amounting to €0.1 million (2023: €0.1 million) for vouchers and incentives to customers
for use on future bookings reflecting the expected value attached to vouchers and incentives. There is uncertainty
on the value of the credit provision given it is based on the probability that a customer will use their incentive. The
provision has not been discounted as it is not considered material.
Decrease in accruals and other payables relates mainly to discretionary compensation for staff employed by the Group
(2024: €2.1 million, 2023: €3.2 million).
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
195
Unpaid pension contributions in the current and prior year are included in accruals and other payables and are not
deemed material to disclose separately.
At 31 December 2024, €3.2 million of revenue was deferred relating to free cancellation bookings (2023: €3.4 million),
€0.2 million was deferred relating to featured listings (2023: €0.4 million) and €0.1 million was deferred relating to
Roamies
(2023: €0.1 million).
Movement in deferred revenue relating to free cancellation bookings:
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Opening balance
3.4
3.0
Revenue deferred during year
56.9
63.4
Revenue recognised during year
(43.7)
(48.1)
Amount reversed during year relating to cancellations
(13.4)
(14.9)
Closing balance
3.2
3.4
22. Borrowings
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Opening Balance
10.2
31.1
Repayments (HPS)
(34.1)
Drawdown (AIB)
17.4
Repayments (AIB)
(10.3)
(7.1)
Transaction costs relating to borrowings (AIB)
(0.2)
Finance costs
0.4
2.4
Finance costs (exceptional items)
-
2.8
Finance interest paid
(0.3)
(2.1)
Total
10.2
In 2021 the Group signed a €30 million five-year term loan facility with certain investment funds and accounts of
HPS Investment Partners LLC. In May 2023 the facility was repaid in full and refinanced with AIB.
A three-year facility was signed with AIB on 09 May 2023. This facility was comprised of a €10.0 million term loan
which was repaid in full in June 2024 (€1.7 million in 2023, €8.3 million in 2024), a €7.5 million revolving credit facility
which was repaid in full in February 2024 (€5.5 million in 2023, €2.0 million in 2024) and an undrawn €2.5 million
overdraft. No early repayment fees applied and at the date of repayment all security and covenant requirements
held by AIB were released. The Group continues to hold an undrawn €2.5 million overdraft facility with AIB retained
for flexibility.
Reduction in interest costs are driven by the refinancing in May 2023, and early repayment of the AIB facilities. Finance
costs expense include non-cash amounts relating to transaction costs capitalised for professional fees incurring on
the initial drawdown of the AIB facility in May 2023.
Borrowings are classified in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as:
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Non-current borrowings
4.8
Current borrowings
5.4
Total
10.2
196
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
22. Borrowings
continued
Change in liabilities arising from financing activities:
 
Lease liabilities
   
 
(note 15)
Borrowings
Total debt
 
€’m
€’m
€’m
At 01 January 2023
(0.5)
(31.1)
(31.6)
Financing cash flows
0.9
23.7
24.6
Interest paid (operating activities)
2.1
2.1
Other non-cash movements
(1.0)
(4.9)
(5.9)
Balance at 31 December 2023
(0.6)
(10.2)
(10.8)
Financing cash flows
0.5
10.3
10.8
Interest paid (operating activities)
-
0.3
0.3
Other non-cash movements
(0.2)
(0.4)
(0.6)
Balance at 31 December 2024
(0.3)
(0.3)
Other non-cash movements for lease liabilities in 2024 and 2023 relate to additions, disposals, lease interest,
a modification and a lease term remeasurement. Other non-cash movements for borrowings in 2024 and 2023
relate to finance costs capitalised on the HPS and AIB term loan facility.
23. Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Group may be subject to indirect taxes on its services in certain foreign
jurisdictions which are subject to ongoing reviews by the Directors and management. Although the outcome of these
reviews and any potential liability is uncertain, no provision has been made in relation to these taxes as the Directors
believe that it is not probable that a material liability will arise.
24. Share-based Payments
Overall, the Group recognised an expense of €1.8 million (2023: €1.7 million) relating to equity settled share-based
payment transactions in the Consolidated Income Statement during the year. €0.7 million (2023: €0.8 million) relates
to LTIP scheme, and €1.1 million (2023: €0.9 million) is in relation to the Group’s RSU scheme. All schemes are
accounted for as equity settled in the financial statements.
LTIP
The Group operate a LTIP for executive Directors and selected management.
On 03 May 2024, 1,909,075 nil cost options were granted as part of LTIP 2024. These options will vest on 02 May
2027 subject to meeting performance conditions of adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) performance and absolute
total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Group over a three-year period.
LTIP 2021 vested at 100% in April 2024, and there were no leavers from 01 January to the vesting date so no awards
forfeited or expired during the year. 1,345,870 shares awards vested, in line with expectations set out at 31 December
2023. There were three performance conditions which were achieved in full relating to the Company’s adjusted
EBITDA over a three-year period 2020 to 2023, Counter App signups target and customer value/customer acquisition
ratio targets.
LTIP 2020 vested at 75% in May 2023, with 1,645,994 awards vesting. The 2020 scheme vesting conditions related
to adjusted EPS performance and TSR of the Group over a three-year period. The EPS condition did not vest, and
the TSR condition vested at 100%.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
197
If the conditions are met under the LTIP plans in place, the remaining awards will vest on the later of the third anniversary
of the grant and the determination of the performance condition and will then remain exercisable until the seventh
anniversary of the date of grant, provided the individual remains an employee or officer of the Group or is subject
to good leaver provisions. No LTIP grant is due to vest in 2024. Further detail of the above schemes are set out
within the Remuneration Committee report on pages 125 to 145.
Details of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows:
2024
2023
No. of
No. of
share options
share options
Outstanding at beginning of year
1,345,870
4,247,246
Granted during the year
1,909,075
Forfeited or expired during the year
(1,255,382)
Exercised during the year
(1,345,870)
(1,645,994)
Outstanding at the end of the year
1,909,075
1,345,870
Exercisable at the end of the year
1,345,870
For all schemes an award will lapse if a participant ceases to be an employee or an officer within the Group before
the vesting date and is not subject to good leaver provisions. Share options under the LTIP scheme have an exercise
price of £nil. The fair value, at the grant date, of the TSR-based conditional awards was measured using a Monte
Carlo simulation model. Where applicable, expected volatility was determined based on the market performance
of the Company over a period of 36 months prior to the date of grant. Market based vesting conditions, such as the
TSR condition, have been taken into account in establishing the fair value of equity instruments granted. Non-market-
based performance conditions, such as the EPS conditions, were not taken into account in establishing the fair value
of equity instruments granted, however the number of equity instruments included in the measurement of the
transaction is adjusted so that the amount recognised is based on the number of equity instruments that are expected
to vest.
At the grant date, the fair value per conditional award and the assumptions used in the calculations are as follows:
Year of grant
2024
2021
2020
Year of potential vesting
2027
2024
2023
Number of share options granted
1,909,075
2,336,885
3,793,200
Share price at grant date
£1.62
£1.00
£0.74
Exercise price per share option
£nil
£nil
£nil
Expected life
3 years
3 years
3 years
Expected dividend yield
0%
0%
6.06%
Expected volatility of Company share price (TSR)
40.2%
n/a
51.86%
Risk free interest rate (TSR)
3.84%
n/a
0.08%
Weighted average fair value at grant date (TSR)
£1.05
£1.00
£0.49
Remaining weighted average life of options (years)
2.3
198
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
24. Share-based Payments
continued
RSU
There were no RSU grants in 2024. The 2023 and 2022 RSU share awards granted will vest after a three-year period.
Vesting for all RSU grants is dependent upon the participant being employed by the Group as of the vesting date
and satisfactory personal performance.
During 2021 the Company granted a RSU to selected employees in lieu of a cash bonus, including the executive
directors and members of the management team. 50% of the award vested in February 2022, and 50% vested in
February 2023. 1,027,655 shares were issued in February 2023.
2024
2023
No. of
No. of
share options
share options
Outstanding at the beginning of the period
3,014,850
4,009,368
Granted during the year
740,560
Exercised during the year
(1,027,655)
Forfeited
(20,357)
(707,423)
Outstanding at the end of the period
2,994,493
3,014,850
Exercisable at the end of the period
2,342,720
nil
At the grant date, the Value per conditional award and the assumptions used in the calculations are as follows:
Year of grant
2023
2022
Year of potential vesting
2026
2024
Number of share options granted
740,560
3,264,435
Share price at grant date
£1.30
£0.83
Exercise price per share option
£nil
£nil
Weighted average fair value of awards granted
£1.30
£0.83
Expected life
3 years
3 years
Remaining weighted average life of options (years)
1.1
0.4
SAYE
The Group have not approved a new SAYE scheme since 2020, following the withdrawal of Ulster Bank from the Irish
market who were the only bank with an Irish banking licence that accepted new accounts SAYE schemes. In 2023
and 2024, SAYE 2020 members exercised their shares and there are no open SAYE options. The 2020 scheme lasted
three years and at the end employees choose to purchase shares at the fixed discounted price set at the start. The
share price for the scheme has been set at a 20% discount for Irish and UK based employees in line with amounts
permitted under tax legislation in both jurisdictions.
2024
2023
Number of
Number of
SAYE share
SAYE share
options granted
options granted
Outstanding at beginning of year
5,245
223,970
Vested during the year
(5,245)
(138,400)
Forfeited during the year
(80,325)
Outstanding at end of year
5,245
Exercisable at the end of year
5,245
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
199
At the grant date, the fair value for each SAYE award and the assumptions used in the calculations are as follows:
Scheme
UK office
Irish office
Grant date
August 2020
August 2020
Year of potential vesting
2023
2023
Share price at grant date
£0.63
€0.70
Exercise price per share option
£0.50
€0.56
Expected volatility of company share price
54.2%
54.2%
Expected life
3 years
3 years
Expected dividend yield
6.13%
6.13%
Risk free interest rate
–0.03%
–0.03%
Weighted average fair value at grant date
£0.20
€0.22
Valuation model
Black Scholes
Black Scholes
Expected volatility was determined in line with market performance of the Company for the 2020 scheme.
25. Related Party Transactions
Balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been
eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.
Directors’ Remuneration
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Salaries, fees, bonuses and benefits in kind
1.6
1.9
Amounts receivable under long-term incentive schemes
0.2
0.5
Other remuneration
0.4
0.4
Pension contributions
0.1
0.1
Total
2.3
2.9
Retirement benefit charges arise from pension payments relating to 2 Executive Directors (2023: 2). Other remuneration
of €0.4 million (2023: €0.4 million) relates to share-based payment expense in respect of the RSU scheme operated
in 2023 and 2022 respectively.
Key Management Personnel
The Group’s key management comprise the Board of Directors and senior management having authority and
responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group.
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Short term benefits
3.5
3.8
Share-based payments charge
1.0
1.0
Post-employment benefits
0.1
0.1
Total
4.6
4.9
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
200
26. Subsidiaries and Associates
Subsidiaries
The following is a list of the Company’s current investments in subsidiaries, including the name, country of incorporation,
and proportion of ownership interest:
Company
Holding
Nature of business
Registered office
Hostelworld.com Limited
100%
(1)
Technology trading company
Charlemont Exchange
196 Ordinary shares @ €1
   
Charlemont St
     
Dublin
     
D02 VN88
     
Ireland
Hostelworld Management Services Limited
100%
(1)
Management services company
Charlemont Exchange
350 Ordinary shares @ €1
   
Charlemont St
     
Dublin
     
D02 VN88
     
Ireland
Hostelworld Services Portugal LDA
100%
Marketing and research and
Rua Antònio Nicolau D’Almeid
500 Ordinary shares @ €1
 
development services company
45, 5 Floor
     
4100-320 Oporto
     
Portugal
Hostelworld Business Consulting
100%
Business information consulting
Unit 311, Block 1,
(Shanghai) Co., Limited
(2)
 
and marketing planning
Hostelworld Group Asia Office
     
No.425 Yanping Road
     
Jing’an District
     
Shanghai
     
China
Hostelworld Services Limited
100%
1)
Marketing services and
One Chamberlain Square
104,123 Ordinary shares @ £0.001
 
technology trading company
Birmingham
     
B3 3AX
     
United Kingdom
(1)
held directly by the Company
(2)
3 Million RMB contributed by Hostelworld.com Limited for 100% ownership of subsidiary
Hostelworld Management Services Limited was incorporated on 09 February 2024. All subsidiaries have the same
reporting date as the Company being 31 December.
Associates
The following details the Company’s current investment in associates, including the name, country of incorporation,
and proportion of ownership interest:
Company
Holding
Nature of business
Registered office
Goki Pty Limited
31.5%
Technology company
17 Terrace Road, Dulwich Hill,
     
Sydney, NSW 2203, Australia
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
201
27. Financial Risk Management
Financial Risk Factors
The Directors manage the Group’s capital to ensure that the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while
also maximising the return to stakeholders. As part of this process, the Directors review financial risks such as liquidity
risk, credit risk, foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk regularly.
Liquidity Risk
Cash flow forecasting is monitored by rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity requirements to ensure it has sufficient
cash to meet operational needs while not breaching any covenants that the Group adheres to. Such forecasting takes
into consideration the Group’s debt financing plans.
In May 2023 the Group completed a refinance of its legacy debt facility, which was drawn down in February 2021
during COVID-19 trading. A new 3
-year facility was signed with AIB. This facility was comprised of a €10 million
term loan which was repaid in full in June 2024 (€1.7 million in 2023, €8.3 million in 2024), a €7.5 million revolving
credit facility which was repaid in full in February 2024 (€5.5 million in 2023, €2.0 million in 2024) and an undrawn
€2.5 million overdraft.
At the date of repayment all security and covenant requirements held by AIB were released. The Group continues
to hold an undrawn €2.5 million facility with AIB.
The Group’s policy is to ensure that it has sufficient long-term funding in place to meet its payment obligations and
complies with covenants. The risk is managed centrally by the Group and reviewed by the Board on a regular basis.
The Group’s liquidity risk is considered low following the repayment of the AIB debt facility in full in the current year.
The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining
period at the reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The Group had no material derivative financial liabilities
in the current or prior year. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.
   
 
2024
2023
 
€’m
€’m
Up to 1 year
   
Borrowings
5.3
Trade and other payables
12.9
14.5
Lease liabilities
0.3
0.5
Total up to 1 year
13.2
20.3
Between 2 and 4 years
   
Borrowings
4.8
Lease liabilities
0.1
Total between 2 and 4 years
4.9
Total
13.2
25.2
202
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
continued
27. Financial Risk Management
continued
Interest Rate Risk
The principal aim of managing interest rate risk is to limit the adverse impact on cash flows of movements in interest
rates. The Group’s interest rate risks arose from the debt facilities it held with AIB. An RCF facility and a term loan
which bore interest at 2.65% per annum over EURIBOR. On the AIB term loan the Group had fixed the EURIBOR rate
at 3.42%. Following the debt repayment, the Group is no longer exposed to interest rate risk, as it has no borrowings
subject to interest rate fluctuations. This eliminates the potential impact of rising interest rates on the Group’s
financial position.
Sensitivity analysis was completed in the prior year of the impact on profit before tax of 1% higher or lower interest
rates with all other variables held constant and concluded that this would be +/-€0.2 million.
Credit Risk and Foreign Exchange Risk
Credit risk refers to the risk of financial loss to the Group if a counterparty defaults on its contractual obligations on
financial assets held on the Statement of Financial Position.
The Directors monitor the credit risk associated with trade receivables and cash and cash equivalent balances on an
on-going basis. The Group’s trade receivable balances primarily relate to VAT receivable balances from Irish hostels
and amounts due from the Group’s payment processing agents. Amounts due from the Group’s payment processing
agent are due for maturity within 5 days. Accordingly, the associated credit risk is determined to be low. These trade
receivable balances, which consist of euro, US dollar and Sterling amounts, are settled within a relatively short period
of time, which reduces any potential foreign exchange exposure risk.
The aged analysis of trade receivables and other receivables for the year ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December
2023 is summarised in the table below.
   
 
Not past due
Past due
Total
 
€’m
€’m
€’m
Trade Receivables
     
31 December 2024
1.1
0.1
1.2
31 December 2023
0.7
0.1
0.8
Other Receivables (exclude prepayments)
     
31 December 2024
0.4
0.4
31 December 2023
0.2
0.2
Value added tax
     
31 December 2024
1.5
1.5
31 December 2023
1.3
1.3
Past due is defined as amounts that have not been received by the agreed-upon date per the terms of agreement.
In line with IFRS 9, the Group applies the simplified approach for the impairment of trade and other receivables and,
therefore, does not track changes in credit risk, instead a loss allowance is recognised based on lifetime ECLs at each
reporting date. The Group uses a provision matrix to measure ECLs based on historical cancellation and recovery
rates and considers forward-looking factors, including the impact of rising cost of living and inflation rates. The figures
disclosed above are stated net of allowances for impairment.
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
203
Other receivables include a receivable in respect of amount due from the Irish Revenue Commissioners in respect
of an R&D tax credit in line with a payment timetable set out by the Irish Revenue Commissioners. There are no further
performance obligations to be achieved attached to amount receivable.
At 31 December 2024 and 2023, all material cash balances are held with banks with a minimum credit rating of BBB-,
as assigned by international credit rating agencies. As a result, the credit risk on cash balances is limited. The carrying
value of trade receivables, trade payables and cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable approximation of their
fair value. The Group does not enter or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for
speculative purposes.
The Board considers capital to comprise of long-term debt as disclosed in note 22 and equity as disclosed in note 18.
The Directors’ objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern
in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital
structure to reduce the cost of capital. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Directors may adjust
the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets.
The Group will ensure it retains sufficient reserves to manage its day-to-day cash requirements, including capital
expenditure requirements, whilst ensuring appropriate dividends are distributed to shareholders.
28. Dividends
The Group has not paid or declared any cash dividends in 2024 or 2023. Future cash dividend payments will be
subject to the Group continuing to generate a profit after tax, the Group’s cash position, any restrictions in the Group’s
banking facilities and compliance with Companies Act 2006 requirements regarding ensuring sufficiency of distributable
reserves at the time of paying the dividend.
29. Parent Company Exemption
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption provided under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not
to publish its individual income statement and related notes.
30. Events After the Balance Sheet Date
There have been no other material events after the balance sheet date.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
204
Company Financial Statements
Company Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2024
2024
2023
Notes
€’m
€’m
Non-current assets
Investments
34
51.6
49.6
Trade and other receivables
35
113.8
114.9
165.4
164.5
Current assets
Trade and other receivables
35
0.3
0.3
Cash and cash equivalents
0.2
0.6
0.5
0.9
Total assets
165.9
165.4
Equity
Share capital
18
1.3
1.3
Share premium account
18
14.4
14.4
Other reserves
3.0
2.9
Retained earnings
146.0
145.0
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
164.7
163.6
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
36
1.2
1.7
Corporation tax liability
0.1
Total liabilities
1.2
1.8
Total equity and liabilities
165.9
165.4
The Company reported a loss for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 of €0.7 million (2023: €1.2 million).
The financial statements of Hostelworld Group plc were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue
on 19 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Gary Moison
Caroline Shey
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Hostelworld Group plc registration number 9818705 (England and Wales)
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
205
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2024
Share
Share premium
Retained
Other
capital
account
earnings
reserves
Total
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
€’m
As at 01 January 2023
1.2
14.3
141.1
6.4
163.0
Total comprehensive income for the year
(1.2)
(1.2)
Issue of shares
0.1
0.1
0.2
Transfer of exercise of vesting of warrants
3.0
(3.0)
Transfer of exercised and expired
share option awards
2.1
(2.1)
Credit to equity for equity settled
share-based payments
1.6
1.6
As at 31 December 2023
1.3
14.4
145.0
2.9
163.6
Total comprehensive income for the year
(0.7)
(0.7)
Issue of shares
Transfer of exercised and expired
share option awards
1.7
(1.7)
Credit to equity for equity settled
share-based payments
1.8
1.8
As at 31 December 2024
1.3
14.4
146.0
3.0
164.7
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
206
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
31. Material accounting policies
The material accounting policies adopted by the
Company are as follows:
Basis of preparation
The separate financial statements are presented as
required by the Companies Act 2006. The Company
meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100
(Financial Reporting Standard 100) Application of Financial
Reporting Requirements issued by the Financial Reporting
Council. The financial statements have therefore been
prepared in accordance with FRS 101 (Financial Reporting
Standard 101) ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ as issued
by the Financial Reporting Council.
As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken
advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under
that standard in relation to financial instruments, fair value
measurements, capital management, presentation of
comparative information in respect of certain assets,
presentation of a cash flow statement, standards not yet
effective, financial risk management, impairment of assets,
share-based payments, business combinations, related
party transactions and where required, equivalent
disclosures are given in the consolidated financial
statements. Significant accounting policies specifically
applicable to these individual Company financial
statements and which are not reflected within the
accounting policies for the Group consolidated financial
statements are detailed below.
The financial statements are prepared on the historical
cost basis.
Going Concern
The Company is in a net asset position of €164.7 million
(2023: €163.6 million). Primary assets relate to amounts
owed from subsidiary undertakings and investments
in subsidiaries. The Directors are satisfied with the
recoverability and carrying value of these assets. Further
detail is included on page 207.
In their review the Directors also considered the market
capitalisation of Hostelworld Group plc, which can
fluctuate dependent on share price. Market capitalisation
as at 31 December 2024 amounted to €203.5 million,
and exceeded net assets by €38.8 million (2023: market
capitalisation of €195.8 million which exceeded net
assets by €32.2 million).
The Directors after making enquiries, have a reasonable
expectation that the Company has adequate resources
to continue operating as a going concern for the
foreseeable future, being a period of 12 months from
signing of the financial statements. Accordingly, the
financial statements of the Company are prepared on
a going concern basis.
Investments in Subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at
cost less any allowance for impairment.
Financial Instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in
the Company’s Statement of Financial Position when the
Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions
of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are initially measured
at fair value plus transaction costs, except for those
classified as fair value through profit or loss, which are
initially measured at fair value. The fair value of financial
assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency
is determined in that foreign currency and translated at
the spot rate at the end of the reporting period.
Financial Assets
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are stated
initially at their fair value and subsequently at amortised
cost, less any ECL. The Company recognises ECLs for
amounts due from subsidiary undertakings estimated
using a provision matrix based on the Company’s
historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that
are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions,
and an assessment of both the current as well as the
forecast direction of conditions at the reporting date,
including time value of money where appropriate.
If the credit risk on the financial instrument has not
increased significantly since initial recognition, the
Company measures the loss allowance for that financial
instrument at an amount equal to 12-month ECL.
12-month ECL represents the portion of lifetime ECL
that is expected to result from default events on a
financial instrument that are possible within 12 months
after the reporting date.
Dividends
Final dividends are recorded in the Group’s financial
statements in the period in which they are approved
by the Company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are
recorded in the period in which they are paid.
207
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Details of interim and final dividends are disclosed in
note 28 to the consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Judgments and Key Sources
of Estimation Uncertainty
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
FRS 101 (as issued by the FRC) requires management to
make judgements (other than those involving estimations)
that have a significant impact on the amounts recognised
and to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
application of accounting policies and reported amounts
of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The
estimates and associated assumptions are based on
historical experience and various other factors that are
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the
results of which form the basis of making judgements
about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not
readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may
differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying
assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions
to accounting estimates are recognised in the year in
which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only
that year, or in the year of the revision and future years
if the revision affects both current and future years.
There were no critical judgements applied in the
preparation of the Company financial statements apart
from those involving estimations.
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other
key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting
period that may have a significant risk of causing a
material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities within the next financial year, are
discussed below.
Carrying Value of Investments in Subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are held at cost less any
allowance for impairment. The Company assesses
investments for impairment at the end of each reporting
period or whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying value of an investment may not
be recoverable including instances where the net assets
of the Company exceed market capitalisation. An
impairment review has been performed in the current
year. When the carrying amount of an investment exceeds
its recoverable amount, the investment is considered
impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount.
At 31 December 2024, the carrying value of investment
in subsidiaries amounted to €51.6 million (2023:
€49.6 million). Following an impairment test performed,
no impairment was recognised in the current or prior
year. Further detail is included in note 34 to the financial
statements on key assumptions included in the
assessment and sensitivity analysis completed.
Recoverability of Amounts Due from
Subsidiary Undertakings
Each year the Directors assess the credit risk of amounts
due from subsidiary undertakings and determine the
quantum of the ECL to be recognised on these assets.
In the current year the Directors reviewed the related
party’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted for
factors that are specific to that company, general
economic conditions and carried out an assessment
of both the current as well as the forecast direction of
conditions at the reporting date, including time value
of money where appropriate.
At 31 December 2024 the carrying value of the amounts
due from subsidiary undertakings amounted to €113.8m
(2023: €114.9m). A repayment plan is in place until
31 December 2035 which aligns repayments to funding
requirements of the Company. This repayment plan
is based upon cashflow payments modelled from
the 2025 Board approved budget, 2 years of board
approved forecasts for 2026 and 2027, and management
projections for 2028 and 2029. From 2030 to 2035
no growth, from base 2029, in considered within the
cashflows modelled. On the basis of this assessment
the Directors have calculated the ECL and concluded
that is not material for disclosure. Sensitivity analysis
was performed to assess the impact of a reduction in
cashflows of 10% and no issue was found. Within the
sensitivity, cashflows would have to decline by over
17% in each year before the amount due from subsidiary
undertaking would not be repaid. This sensitivity
analysis also does not take into account any mitigating
actions that would be taken by management should
cashflows decline.
32. Loss for the Year
As permitted by s408 of the Companies Act 2006, the
Company has elected not to present its own income
statement or statement of comprehensive income
for the year. The loss attributable to the Company is
disclosed in the footnote to the Company’s Statement
of Financial Position.
The auditor’s remuneration for the audit and other
services is disclosed in note 4 to the consolidated
financial statements.
Financial Statements
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
208
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
continued
33. Staff Costs
The average monthly number of full time people employed by the Company (including Executive Directors) during
the year was as follows:
2024
2023
Average number of persons employed:
Sales and enabling
1
5
Technical
1
3
Total
2
8
The aggregate remuneration costs of these employees is analysed as follows:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Staff costs comprise:
Wages and salaries
0.2
2.2
Social security costs
0.1
0.2
Pensions costs
0.1
Share option charge
0.3
1.1
Development labour
(0.1)
(0.1)
Total
0.5
3.5
Decrease in average number of persons employed and staff costs in the current year driven by the transfer of all
employees to another entity within the Group. The reduction in staff costs year on year also impacted by a reduction
in discretionary compensation earned.
The transfer occured on 01 April and accordingly the Company has recognised staff costs up to the date of transfer.
No further costs associated with these employees have been incurred by the Company, as they are now employed and
remunerated by another group entity. Pension costs in the current year were not deemed material to disclose above.
34. Investments
The carrying value of the Company’s subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 is as follows:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
At 01 January
49.6
49.0
Additions
2.0
0.6
At 31 December
51.6
49.6
The Company’s subsidiaries directly owned by the Company, are disclosed in note 26.
Additions relate to an investment made in Hostelworld Management Services Limited of €0.4 million (2023: €nil) and
capital contributions arising from accounting for share based payment expense related to employees of Group entities
€1.6 million (2023: €0.6 million).
In 2024 following a review performed by management no impairment was recognised for investments held in any
subisidiary investments (2023: €nil). The recoverable amount of each investment was assessed utilising value in use
calculations which were prepared using cash flow projections based on the Board approved 2025 budget, two-year
outlook and further two years of management prepared projections.
Growth rates have been assessed by the Directors using their past experience of the business and their expectations
of the market. The cash flow projections for the five-year period consider key assumptions including historical trading
performance, anticipated changes in future market conditions and climate change factors.
209
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
35. Trade and Other Receivables
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Non-current assets
Amount due from subsidiary undertakings
113.8
114.9
113.8
114.9
The amount due from subsidiary undertakings arose primarily as a result of a term loan issued between the Company
and Hostelworld.com Limited as part of the Group reorganisation in March 2019, which does not bear interest. This
amount is carried at amortised cost.
The Directors assessed the credit risk of these amounts and determined that an ECL on these assets would be
immaterial. There is a repayment plan in place until 31 December 2035 which comprises of a number of staggered
payments from now until 31 December 2035, as cash positions and profitability allows from Hostelworld.com Limited
and will be driven by any funding requirements from Hostelworld Group plc including dividend payments to the
market. Limited repayments have been made to date driven by the Group’s focus on repayment of external bank
borrowings held by Hostelworld.com Limited.
The Directors reviewed the related party’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that are specific to
that company, general economic conditions and carried out an assessment of both the current as well as the forecast
direction of conditions at the reporting date, including time value of money where appropriate.
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Current assets
Prepayments
0.2
0.2
Value added tax
0.1
0.1
Total
0.3
0.3
36. Trade and Other Payables
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Current liabilities
Trade payables
0.1
0.2
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings
0.7
Accruals
0.4
1.5
Total
1.2
1.7
Decrease in accruals year on year relates to a liability recognised for discretionary compensation for staff employed
by Hostelworld Group plc in the prior year.
Amount owed to related parties are repayable on demand. Amounts are interest free and unsecured.
37. Events After the Balance Sheet Date
There have been no material events after the balance sheet date.
The Village, Melbourne, Australia
212
Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures
218
Contact and Shareholder Information
220
Definition of Hostelworld Terms
Additional
Information
212
Additional Information
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures
In reporting financial information, The Group uses the following alternative performance measures (“APMs”) which
are non–IFRS measures which provide useful additional information to monitor the performance of its operations
and of the Group as a whole. APMs are not a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements.
APM
Closest Equivalent
IFRS Measure
Definition/Purpose
Reconciliation/
Calculation
Adjusted
EBITDA
Operating Profit
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation
and amortisation (non-cash items), also excluding results and impairment
of associate, other income, share based payment expenses and any items
defined by management as exceptional in nature.
This APM removes items which do not impact underlying trading performance
and allows the Group and external readers, including investors, to review
baseline profitability of the Group trade.
See note (a)
Adjusted
EBITDA Margin
No direct
equivalent
Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA as defined above
divided by net revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA margin allows the Group and external readers, including
investors, to assess the business’s baseline profitability and how much
revenue the business converts into Adjusted EBITDA profits by removing
items which do not impact underlying trading performance.
See note (a)
Adjusted Profit
After Tax
Profit After Tax
Adjusted profit after tax is profit excluding items that do not impact trading
profitability, such as items classified by management as exceptional in nature,
amortisation of acquired domain and technology intangibles, share based
payment expenses, impairment of associate, other income and deferred tax.
These items can have a large impact on the reported result for the year, and
which can make underlying trends difficult to interpret.
Adjusted profit after tax is used by the Group to calculate the potential dividend
when a dividend is being paid, subject to company law requirements
regarding distributable profits, and the dividend policy within the Group.
The Chief Operating Decision Maker assesses the performance of the
business based on the consolidated adjusted profit after tax of the Group
throughout the year.
See note (b)
Adjusted EPS
Basic Earnings
Per Share
Adjusted EPS is calculated on the weighted average number of ordinary
shares in issue, using the adjusted profit after tax.
Adjusted EPS is an additional measure of underlying performance that excludes
items classified by management as exceptional in nature, amortisation of
acquired domain and technology intangibles, share based payment expenses,
impairment of associate, other income and deferred tax.
Adjusted EPS is a metric included in the Executive Director and Senior
Management remuneration for the current and prior year LTIP plan being struck.
See note (b)
Adjusted Free
Cashflow
Net Cash from
Operating
Activities
Adjusted free cash flow is net cash from operating activities adjusted for
capital expenditure, acquisition/capitalisation of intangible assets, lease
liabilities payments and cash impact of items classified as exceptional by
management and any other items as set out in the walk within note (c).
Adjusted free cash flow is a measure which group management and external
readers, including investors, use to assess the amount of cash the Group
is generating from its trade and excludes items which do not relate to the
day-to-day activities of the Group. It is one of the metrics which is used by
management in assessing the amount of cash available for items such as
borrowing repayments, dividends, share repurchases and acquisitions.
See note (c)
213
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APM
Closest Equivalent
IFRS Measure
Definition/Purpose
Reconciliation/
Calculation
Adjusted Free
Cashflow
Conversion
No direct
equivalent
Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion % is calculated as Adjusted free cash
flow as defined above divided by Adjusted EBITDA and measures the Group’s
ability to convert Adjusted EBITDA into free cash flow.
As above, adjusted free cash flow conversion is a measure which group
management and external readers including investors can use to measure
the Group’s ability to convert Adjusted EBITDA into free cash flow.
See note (c)
Net Cash/Debt
Total Borrowings
and Cash
and Cash
Equivalents
Net cash/(debt) represents the total debt obligations of the Group, net of
liquid resources. It equates to short-term debt and long-term debt (including
the statutory liability for debt warehoused and any external bank borrowings)
less cash and equivalents.
Net cash/(debt) is used by the Group to monitor its overall leverage and
liquidity position which assists in management’s assessment of financial
stability and strategic decision making.
See note (d)
Market
Capitalisation
No direct
equivalent
Market capitalisation is the markets assessment of the value of a Company.
Market capitalisation is used by the Group’s management as a factor in
considering if there is any impairment to the Group or Company Balance
Sheet. Under IAS 36 market capitalisation is listed as an external indicator
that an asset may be impaired, where the carrying value of the net assets
of an entity exceed its market capitalisation.
See note (e)
Net Gross
Merchandise
Value (“GMV”)
and Generated
Revenue
Net Revenue
Net GMV represents the gross transaction value of bookings on our platform
less cancellations. Generated revenue is total bookings, less cancellations.
It excludes the impact of adjustments for refunds, chargebacks and voucher
provisioning, deferred revenue, ancillary revenue streams and rebates.
Net GMV is utilised by the Group’s management to demonstrate the total value
of transactions executed through our platform i.e. 100% of the booking value.
Generated revenue is used by Group and external readers including investors
to identify gross revenue from bookings less cancellations, excluding
accounting adjustments that arise after the booking is processed.
See note (f)
Net ABV
No direct
equivalent
Net ABV represents the average value paid by a customer for a net booking
calculated as generated revenue divided by total net bookings.
See note (f)
Direct
Marketing
Costs as a %
of Generated
Revenue
No direct
equivalent
Direct marketing costs as a percentage of generated revenue is an APM
which looks at the efficiency of marketing spend. Generated revenue is
utilised here to understand the relationship between bookings/revenue and
the direct marketing costs for those bookings.
This APM is used by the Group’s management to identify how efficient the
Groups marketing channels are.
See note (g)
Net Margin
Operating Profit
Net margin is an APM which is calculated by deducting direct costs from
generated revenue. Direct costs are comprised of direct marketing costs
and credit card and other processing fees.
This APM is used by the Group’s management to identify the trading profit
margin, excluding administration costs/day to day expenses.
See note (h)
As a result of rounding to the nearest €’m, in some walks set out below the recalculation cannot be performed
exactly but we have included enough data for the reader to understand how the amount is calculated within our
reporting systems.
214
Additional Information
|
Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures
continued
Note (a) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Reconciliation Between Operating Profit for the Year and Adjusted EBITDA:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Operating profit
11.3
5.0
Depreciation
0.6
1.0
Amortisation of development costs
3.6
3.0
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
4.9
7.8
R&D tax credit
(0.2)
(0.2)
Other income
(1.3)
Impairment of investment in associate
1.2
Share of result of associate
(0.1)
(0.1)
Exceptional items
0.2
Share based payment expense
1.8
1.7
Adjusted EBITDA
21.8
18.4
R&D tax credits included in note 4 total €0.2 million (2023: €0.2 million) relates to amortisation of development costs.
Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Adjusted EBITDA
21.8
18.4
Net revenue
92.0
93.3
Adjusted EBITDA Margin %
24%
20%
Note (b) Adjusted Profit After Tax
(Adjusted PAT) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share
Reconciliation Between Profit After Tax and Adjusted Profit After Tax:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Profit for the year
9.1
5.1
Exceptional items
3.8
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
4.9
7.8
Share based payment expense
1.8
1.7
Deferred tax
1.7
(6.4)
Other income
(1.3)
Impairment of investment in associate
1.2
Adjusted profit after tax
17.4
12.0
Calculation of Adjusted Earnings per Share:
2024
2023
Adjusted profit after tax (€’m)
17.4
12.0
Weighted average shares in issue (‘m) (note 10 to financial statements)
124.5
122.0
Adjusted earnings per share (cent)
13.97
9.91
215
OVERVIEW
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Note (c) Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cashflow Conversion
Calculation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Opening Cash
7.5
19.0
Closing Cash
8.2
7.5
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
0.7
(11.5)
Add back
Repayment of debt warehoused
3.2
Repayment of borrowings
10.3
41.2
Proceeds from borrowings
(17.4)
Payment in kind interest paid
0.5
Transaction costs capitalised
0.2
Proceeds on issue of shares
(0.1)
Exceptional items
0.2
1.0
Adjusted free cash flow
14.4
13.9
Current year exceptional items relate to 2023 exceptional costs paid in 2024, accounted for as a creditor liability at
31 December 2023.
Calculation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Adjusted free cash flow
14.4
13.9
Adjusted EBITDA
21.8
18.4
Adjusted free cash flow conversion %
66%
75%
Reconciliation Between Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Net Cash from Operating Activities for the Year:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Adjusted free cash flow
14.4
13.9
Exceptional items
(0.2)
(1.0)
Lease liability payments
0.5
0.9
Acquisition/capitalisation of intangible assets
5.5
4.0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
0.1
0.1
Payment in kind interest paid
(0.5)
Net cash from operating activities
20.3
17.4
Current year exceptional items relate to 2023 exceptional costs paid in 2024, accounted for as a creditor liability at
31 December 2023.
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Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures
continued
Note (d) Net Cash/
(Debt)
Calculation of Net Cash/(Debt):
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Cash and cash equivalents
8.2
7.5
Borrowings
(10.2)
Debt warehoused
(6.2)
(9.6)
Net cash/(debt)
2.0
(12.3)
Note (e) Market Capitalisation
Calculation of Market Capitalisation:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Share price (€ cent per share)
1.63
1.58
Ordinary shares in issue (‘m)
125.0
123.6
Market Capitalisation (€’m)
203.5
195.8
Note (f) Net Gross Merchandise Value (“GMV”), Net Average Booking Value (“ABV”)
and Generated Revenue
Reconciliation Between Net GMV and Generated Revenue to Net Revenue for the Year:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Total deposit (100%):
GMV
687.4
717.2
Cancellations
(88.3)
(98.5)
Net GMV (100% deposit)
599.1
618.7
Hostelworld commission share:
Gross revenue
105.0
108.6
Cancellations
(13.5)
(14.9)
Generated revenue
91.5
93.7
Deferred revenue movement
0.2
(0.7)
Refunds, chargebacks and cost of discounts and vouchers
(1.5)
(0.1)
Other revenue
0.3
0.3
Advertising income (featured listings)
2.0
1.2
Volume incentive rebates
(0.5)
(1.1)
Net revenue
92.0
93.3
Volume incentive rebates are offered to hostel partners. Recognition of rebates have limited judgement and are
recognised based on performance targets for the previous quarters trading volumes measured at midnight on the
closing day of a quarter and settled within the following quarter.
Calculation of Net ABV:
2024
2023
Generated revenue (€’m)
91.5
93.7
Net bookings (#’m)
6.9
6.5
Net ABV generated (€)
13.21
14.36
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Note (g) Direct Marketing Costs as a % of Generated Revenue
Calculation of Direct Marketing Costs as a % of Generated Revenue:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Direct marketing costs
42.5
46.6
Generated revenue
91.5
93.7
Direct marketing costs as a % of generated revenue
46%
50%
Note (h) Net margin
Calculation of Net Margin:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Net revenue
92.0
93.3
Direct marketing costs
(42.5)
(46.6)
Credit card and other processing fees
(2.9)
(3.0)
Net margin
46.6
43.7
Reconciliation Between Net Margin and Operating Profit:
2024
2023
€’m
€’m
Net margin
46.6
43.7
Other operating costs
(35.5)
(38.8)
Other income
1.3
Share of result of associate
0.1
0.1
Impairment in investment of associate
(1.2)
Operating profit
11.3
5.0
Other operating costs are total operating expenses excluding impairment as set out within note 4 to the financial
statements. less items included in net margin calculation set out above relating to direct marketing costs and credit
card and other processing fees.
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Hostelworld Annual Report 2024
Contact and Shareholder Information
Financial Calendar
Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)
07 May 2025
Announcement of 2025 Interim Results
30 July 2025
Share Price
During the year ended 31 December 2024, the range of
the market prices of the Company’s ordinary shares on
the London Stock Exchange was:
Closing price at 31 December 2024:
£1.35
Highest closing price during the year:
£1.71
Lowest closing price during the year:
£1.26
Daily information on the Company’s share price can be
obtained on our website:
www.hostelworldgroup.com
.
Shareholder’s Enquiries
All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings
(for example, notification of change of address, loss
of share certificates, dividend payments) should be
addressed to the Company’s registrars:
UK Registrar
Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions
Bridgewater Road
Bristol
BS99 6ZZ
United Kingdom
Irish Registrar
Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Ltd
3100 Lake Drive
Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
D24 AK82
Ireland
Company Secretary and Registered Office
Mr. John Duggan
Hostelworld Group plc
One Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3AX
United Kingdom
Company Registration Number
9818705
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Advisors
Solicitors
McCann FitzGerald
Riverside One
Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
Dublin
D02 X576
Ireland
Travers Smith LLP
10 Snow Hill
London
EC1A 2AL
United Kingdom
Financial Public Relations
Sodali & Co.
Carmichael House
60 Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
D02 KP79
Ireland
Banking
Allied Irish Banks, plc
1-4 Lower Baggot Street
Dublin
D02 X342
Ireland
National Westminster Bank plc
Regents House
42 Islington High Street
London
N1 8XL
United Kingdom
HSBC Bank plc
1 Grand Canal Square
Grand Canal Harbour
Dublin Docklands
Dublin 2
D02 P820
Ireland
Statutory Auditors
KPMG
Chartered Accountants, Statutory Audit Firm
1 Stokes Place
St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2
D02 DE03
Ireland
Brokers
Numis Securities Limited
45 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7BF
United Kingdom
Goodbody
9-12 Dawson Street
Dublin 2
D02 YX99
Ireland
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Definition of Hostelworld Terms
We use some Hostelworld lingo in our annual report and lots of acronyms. We created this appendix of terms to
summarise what these mean.
Term
Brief Description
Net ABV
Net average booking value – the price a customer pays. Calculated as generated revenue/net bookings.
Adjusted FCF
Adjusted free cash flow. Calculated as the movement in cash year-on-year adjusted for non-trading items
such as capital expenditure, repayment of borrowings (not considered BAU), capitalised development
spend, acquisition and disposal of undertakings.
Administration
Expenses
Relates to operating expenses of company excluding depreciation, amortisation and any impairment
charges. Primarily driven by marketing expenses, staff costs, credit card processing fees, exceptional
items, foreign exchange movements and other operating costs.
AGM
Annual General Meeting.
AI
Artificial Intelligence.
AIB plc
House bankers for Hostelworld Group. No bank borrowings as at 31 December 2024 – existing AIB debt
facilities have been fully repaid.
Android
Operating system for mobile phones and tablets.
APM
Alternative performance measures. Non-IFRS measures to monitor the performance of operations and
of the Group as a whole.
BCP
Business Continuity Plan.
Bednights
Number of booked nights per stay.
Bureau Veritas
Certification body engaged by Hostelworld firstly in 2022, and again in 2023, to perform research on
the carbon emissions of the hostelling sector.
CAC
Customer acquisition costs. Calculated as the direct marketing costs to acquire new customers/new
customers acquired in the reporting period.
CDP
Carbon Disclosure Project. A not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors,
companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.
CEO
Chief Executive Officer – Gary Morrison.
CFO
Chief Financial Officer – Caroline Sherry.
Chat
Social features Initiative. Chat rooms that allow users to connect on our social network in advance or
during their hostel stay.
CPO
Chief People Officer – Barry McCabe.
Chief Product Officer – Lissa Roa.
CSO
Chief Supply Officer – Fabrizio Giulio.
CTO
Chief Technology Officer – Chris Berridge.
CGUs
Cash generating units. Discussed in relation to valuation views of company assets.
Chairman
Chairman of the Board – Ulrik Bengtsson.
Ulrik Bengtsson was appointed Chairman of the Company on 10 October 2024, having joined the
Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate in May 2024. Michael Cawley stepped down
as Chairman and Non-Executive Director on the same date.
CPCs
Cost per clicks. Calculated as cost to an advertiser divided by number of clicks on a Hostelworld ad.
CRM
Customer relationship management.
Conference
Hostelworld hosted hostel conferences allowing our hostels to come together to network and learn from
each other. In 2024 we hosted 3 hostel conferences in Chiang Mai, Copenhagen and Mexico city.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are stored on a user’s computer or mobile device that are used to store
or gather information (such as remembering log-on details so a user does not have to re-enter them
when revisiting a website or opening an app) and market to customers.
Counter
Counter App – proprietary property management system.
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Term
Brief Description
CSRD
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. New sustainability standard that was expected to impact
Hostelworld Group for the 2025 financial year. Following a simplification proposed by the EU in February
2025, we are now out of scope. We will continue to monitor any future developments and report as
required against the applicable reporting requirements.
Culture Code
The Hostelworld Culture Code, launched in H2 2024, captures the essence of what makes us ‘us’.
Our Culture Code will help us stay true to what makes us special as a Group while scaling our impact.
Customers
From a revenue perspective, our customers are our hostels and accommodation providers hosted on
our website and applications. Revenue is derived from technology, data processing and service fees
we charge these properties. We can also reference customers as those who engage with our product
– they are the travellers who make hostel bookings and use our social applications.
Deferred Revenue
Relates to revenue which cannot be recognised until a future date. Under the terms of our free cancellation
product, a customer can cancel at no penalty until a particular date (usually 1 day out from arrival) and
receive a full refund. In this circumstance, Hostelworld has collected the cash but does not recognise
the revenue until the last cancellation date has passed. Other products which have a small balance of
deferred revenue relate to featured listings and Roamies.
Direct Margin
Calculated as net generated revenue (bookings less cancellations) less direct marketing costs.
Direct Marketing Costs
Paid direct marketing costs, primarily driven by online search. Excludes operating marketing costs
such as brand marketing and CRM support which isn’t directly revenue generating.
Domestic Bookings
Bookings where source IP utilised by customer making booking at country level matches destination
country of hostel.
DPO
Data Protection Officer.
DTR
Within our Governance section to the annual report we disclose statutory information in accordance with
the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook (“DTRs”).
EAP
Employee assistance programme offered to our employees. See people section of the Annual Report.
EBITDA
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and excluding exceptional and non-cash items.
ECL
Expected credit loss. Provision matrix based on the Group’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted
for factors that are specific to debtor recoverability.
Elevate
Elevate programme provided hostels an opportunity to increase their prominence in search lists dynamically
in exchange for a higher commission rate of up to 10% above the relevant base commission rate.
ELT
Executive Leadership Team.
At 31 December ELT were comprised of CEO Gary Morrison, CFO Caroline Sherry, CPO Lissa Roa
(Chief Product Officer), CTO Chris Berridge, Head of Analytics Dave Rooney, Head of Legal John
Duggan, CPO Barry McCabe (Chief People Officer), CSO Fabrizio Giulio.
Employees
Headcount employed by the Group including Executive Directors. We exclude from our employee count
Non-Executive Directors, any contractors or those employed by an employer of record.
EPS
Earnings per share.
ESG
Environmental Social and Governance – our ESG team lead our sustainability agenda.
ESRS EFRAG
European Sustainability Reporting Standards and European Financial Reporting Advisory Group. Companies
subject to CSRD will have to report according to ESRS. The standards were developed by EFRAG, previously
known as the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group, an independent body bringing together
various different stakeholders.
We had expected that CSRD would impact the Group from 01 January 2025. Following a simplification
proposed by the EU in February 2025, we are now out of scope. We will continue to monitor any future
developments and report as required against the applicable reporting requirements.
Exceptional Items
Exceptional items by their nature and size can make interpretation of the underlying trends in the business
more difficult.
Existing Customers
Count of customers who have made their 2nd or subsequent bookings with Hostelworld in a specific period.
Experiential Travel
A form of tourism in which people focus on experiencing a country, city or particular place by actively
and meaningfully engaging with its history, people, culture, food and environment.
FCF
Free cash flow.
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Definition of Hostelworld Terms
continued
Term
Brief Description
FRC
Financial Reporting Council – UK Regulatory body.
Free Channels
Booking channels which have very minimal or no cost associated with them e.g navigating directly to
our website, app bookings, SEO, CRM email bookings.
FTSE SmallCap Index
The Financial Times Stock Exchange SmallCap Index.
GBR
Gross booking revenue. Our commission amount collected from hostels – excludes any cancellations.
Gen Z
Generation Z. A person born between the 1990s and early 2010s.
Generated Revenue
Gross booking revenue minus impact of cancellations.
GDPR
General Data Protection Regulation.
GHG
Greenhouse gas (used in context of emissions produced by Hostelworld).
GITCs
General Information Technology Controls – in place to underpin and secure our technology environment.
GMT
Global Markets Team – team that deal day to day with supply (hostels) in Hostelworld.
GMV
Gross Merchandise Value. Gross total transaction value of bookings on our platform on which
commission is charged.
Goki
Goki PTY Limited. Associate investment made by Hostelworld.
Gross/Net
‘Gross’ in reference to a metric which doesn’t include the impact of cancelled bookings whereas ‘net’
is ‘gross’ minus the impact of cancelled bookings.
Gross Bookings
Count of bookings made in a specific period before cancellations.
GSTC
Global Sustainable Tourism Council establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel
and tourism. The GSTC criteria form the Foundation Accreditation for Certification Bodies that certify
accommodations as having sustainable policies and practices in place.
Hangouts
Social features Initiative. Hangout status introduced in 2024 on social app, which allows users to explicitly
signal their openness to meet fellow travellers.
HOSCARs
Annual hostel awards operated by Hostelworld. A celebration for the hostels that have done incredible
things, in extraordinary circumstances voted for by travellers.
HPS
HPS Investment Partners. Providers of a term loan facility refinanced with AIB plc in 2023.
IFRS
International Financial Reporting Standard.
Inclusion, Engagement
& Diversity
Inclusion, Engagement & Diversity (IE&D). In 2024 we reframed our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)
initiatives as “Inclusion, Engagement and Diversity”, putting inclusion at the heart of all we do to engage
and retain the best people. In 2023 we were awarded the Silver Accreditation with Investors in Diversity.
Investors in Diversity
Framework to govern diversity practices and culture, an Irish based equality accreditation group.
iOS
Operating system used for mobile devices manufactured by Apple Inc.
kWh
kilowatt-hours.
LGBTQIA+
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual and a plus to signify all of
the gender identities and sexual orientations that are not specifically covered by the other initials (such
as pansexual).
Linkups
Social features Initiative. Allows hostels to set up their own group events for others to join. Linkups are
not a service provided by the Group to hostels in connections with accommodation inventory, and
accordingly, are not included in our contract with hostels for IT and data processing services.
Listing Rules
The Transparency Directive and Listing Rules.
LTIP
Long Term Incentive Plan. Type of share option grant which has been used in Hostelworld, where
employees receive shares instead of cash on successful vesting.
LTV/CLV
Lifetime value or customer lifetime value. The total net generated revenue we can expect to earn from
a customer during their booking lifetime with Hostelworld based on statistical modelling.
We use some Hostelworld lingo in our annual report and lots of acronyms. We created this appendix of terms to
summarise what these mean.
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Term
Brief Description
Long Haul Bookings
Bookings where source IP utilised by customers making bookings at continent level does not match
destination continent or country of hostel.
Marketing as %
of Revenue
Calculated as direct marketing costs expressed as a % of generated revenue
(Gross revenue less cancellations).
Millennial
A person born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s.
Net Bookings
Gross bookings minus cancelled bookings in a reporting period.
Net Revenue
Calculated as gross revenue less cancellations, deferred revenue, rebates and accounting adjustments
NED
Non-Executive Director relating to independent Directors appointed to Board. Positions are held by
Ulrik Bengtsson (Chairman), Éimear Moloney, Paul Duffy, Carl G. Shepherd and Evan Cohen.
Net Cash/Debt
Calculated as debt (bank debt and warehoused payroll taxes) less cash and equivalents.
Net GMV
Net Gross Merchant Value. Gross transaction value of bookings on our platform less cancellations
(relates to Hostelworld commission and hostel share).
Net Margin
Equates to net revenue less marketing costs and credit card fees.
New Customers
Count of customers who have made their first booking with Hostelworld in a specific period.
New Customer Revenue
Net generated revenue associated with new customers in the reporting period.
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
OTA
Online Travel Agent.
Over Tourism
The impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences perceived quality
of life of citizens and/or quality of visitor’s experiences in a negative way.
Opex/Operating
Expenses
Operational Expenditure – relates to total administration expenses plus depreciation, amortisation
and impairments.
Paid Marketing
and Paid channels
Paid marketing channels through which a customer makes a booking on our platform e.g. Google ad
channels and affiliate partnerships.
PAX
Total number of travellers.
Platform
Modernisation
Significant project undertaken in Hostelworld in recent years to update legacy technology platforms
and infrastructure in place, project is set to complete H1 2025.
PMS
Property Management System.
Public Profile
Social features Initiative. User profiles allow users to display their name, age, country they are from,
pronouns and some information about themselves on their profile.
PWA
Progressive web application – a website that feels just like our apps.
R&D Tax Credit
The Research and Development tax credit in Ireland incentivises companies to invest in research and
development by offering a tax credit or cash for a portion of the R&D expenditure incurred, subject to
certain conditions being met.
Return Customer
Revenue
Net generated revenue associated with returning customers in the reporting period.
RNS
Regulatory News Services made on the London Stock Exchange.
‘Roamies’
A hostel focused adventure tour product run in partnership with G Adventures.
RSU
Restricted Share Option. Type of share option grant which has been used in Hostelworld, where
employees receive shares instead of cash on successful vesting.
SARs
Stock Appreciation Rights.
SAYE
Save as you Earn – historic scheme which allowed employees to save and buy shares at an option price
set by Hostelworld. No new scheme granted since 2020, following the withdrawal of Ulster Bank from
the Irish market who were the only bank with an Irish banking licence that accepted new accounts for
Save As You Earn schemes.
SEO
Search Engine Optimisation.
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Definition of Hostelworld Terms
continued
Term
Brief Description
Short Haul Bookings
Bookings where source IP utilised by customer making booking at continent level matches destination
continent for hostel.
Social Members
Eligible customers who opt-in to be members of the Hostelworld social network.
Social Network
A type of online social media platform which people use to build social networks or social relationships
with other people who share similar personal or career content, interests, activities, backgrounds or
real-life connections. The Hostelworld social network allows customers to connect with other travellers.
South Pole
Partner engaged to assess and validate carbon emissions and make quality climate contributions on
behalf of Hostelworld. South Pole awarded Hostelworld with their sustainability label over the last 4 years.
South Pole, recognised by the World Economic Forum’s Schwab Foundation, is a leading climate solutions
provider and carbon project expert. Website:
www.southpole.com
‘Staircase to
Sustainability’
Programme
Developed specifically for hostels, the Staircase to Sustainability is a bespoke framework to help hostels
review, compare and communicate their sustainability efforts to customers and other stakeholders across
4 different levels. As hostels progress on their sustainability journeys they have the opportunity to
progress or move up the staircase.
Built in line with the Global Sustainability Tourism Council (GSTC)’s criteria, the framework allows hostels
to be assessed against four pillars Sustainability management, Socio- Economic, Cultural Impact and
Environmental Impact.
Taking Climate Action
South Pole’s sustainability label. To receive an organisation needs to measure their material scope 1,
scope 2 and scope 3 emissions associated with their operations in line with GHG protocol, set a reduction
target aligned with near-term science-based target requirements, finance climate action equivalent for
any residual emissions through certified climate action credits, and disclosure of all details transparently.
TCFD
Taskforce for climate-related financial disclosures. Sustainability disclosures for the 2024 annual report
have been prepared in accordance with the TCFD framework.
tCO
2
e
Tonnes (t) of carbon dioxide
(CO
2
) equivalent (e).
Total Bednights
Equates to the sum of total passengers x average number of nights per passenger.
Total Passengers
Total number of guests associated with net bookings on our platform in a specific period.
Total Stayed Bednights
Total bednights, adjusted for no-shows.
TSR
Total Shareholder Return.
Trading Margin
Net generated revenue, less paid marketing costs.
Unique Customers
Count of unique customers who have made a booking in a specific period.
ViDA
VAT in the digital age. Set of regulations introduced by the EU Commission to update the current VAT
system to adapt it for the digital age.
Warehoused Payroll
Taxes
Warehousing of tax debt by Irish Revenue Commissioners aimed at assisting businesses who experienced
cash-flow and trading difficulties during the COVID
-19 pandemic.
30% Club Ireland
The 30% Club is a campaign group of business chairpersons and CEOs taking action to increase gender
diversity on boards and senior management teams, supported by Hostelworld. It was established in
the United Kingdom in 2010 by Helena Morrissey with the aim of achieving a minimum of 30% female
representation on the boards of FTSE 100 companies.
We use some Hostelworld lingo in our annual report and lots of acronyms. We created this appendix of terms to
summarise what these mean.
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Bounce, Noosa, Australia
226
Rucksack Inn Siargao, Siargao Island, Philippines
OVERVIEW
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION