Most Ukrainian budget hostels could close down, as the government intends to put mini-hotels in apartments in residential buildings under control.
The end of era of budget hostels?
Renting out cheap accommodation to tourists is a lucrative business offering quick returns. This is the reason for the recent rise in the number of cheap overnight stays offered in hostels located within the residential buildings.
Prices in such budget overnight mini-motels start from 200 hryvnia (USD 8) per night and a multitude of websites offer bookings.
However, this option could soon be unavailable in Ukraine, just like it happened in Russia.
Officially mini-hotels in high rise buildings in Ukraine have not been banned as yet, but a stricter control by the state is on the cards, Finance.ua reported. If implemented, it would effectively put an end on operations of many such businesses, specialists state.
Two new legislative regulations relating to hostels have been already registered in the Ukrainian parliament (Rada).
80% of cheap hostels may close down
Elena Motsna, the head of Kyiv’s Association of Hostels, believes that if one of these draft regulations (№ 10237-1) gets enough support, about 80% of the budget mini-hotels in the city will close their doors.
According to this law, a hostel has to have its own entrance and a second exit for evacuation purposes. In addition, opening a business offering temporary accommodation in a residential building would require a written agreement of at least 70% of the residents.
The alternative draft regulation (№ 10237) proposes to introduce norms per person: Not less than 8 square meters per person (86 square feet). Other requirements include prohibition of such mini-hotels in residential buildings on any levels except the ground floor. This draft law doesn’t require the owners to acquire the support of 70% of the residents.
Ukrainian experts explain that even though there is currently no special regulation of temporary accommodation in residential building in Ukraine, there are norms that specify the rights of the residents. If these norms were adhered to, it would be possible to close down any of such businesses, the experts believe.
According to the new bill, the opening of a business offering temporary residence in a residential building will require the written consent of at least 70% of residents.
Visiting Kyiv on the budget
Such accommodation options are popular among young travellers, especially online bloggers trying to get as many country badges as possible under their belts.
The fact that there is no need to get an entry visa to Ukraine attracts many tourists to the destination.
Men who visit their online Ukrainian girlfriends seldom use this option, giving preference to hotels that offer a better security and service.
Read also:
- Best hotels in Kiev, Ukraine
- How much money do I need to visit Ukraine?
- Most popular price range for apartment purchases in Ukraine
- How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Kiev?
Bad news… “Due to the fact that the hotel business is impaired, they decided to close most of the good hostels”. Where is the logic?
I don’t think the problem is so tragic. There are many complaints about cafes and bars, but they are not closed. Why? What’s the benefit?