Mad Monkey in the news
Mar
A Message to Our Community — COVID-19
We are doing everything in our power to keep our hostels, kitchens, and bars safe and clean — for YOU, our team members, and the community at large for as long is legal and responsible. We are committed to delivering the trusted Mad Monkey experience, whether that is a safe space or an available communication resource in this ever changing environment. Operations and team members will proceed to closely following the latest guidance from the CDC, WHO, local governments, and public health agencies. We recommend you to use the following health advisories in kind for personal hygiene and medical advice. Also, as fellow citizens of the world and visitors abroad, please be conscious and compassionate of the heightened stress during these times and be respectful of local culture and advisories. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ We are prepared to navigate these challenging circumstances with everyone’s safety of movement in mind. As travel restrictions evolve by the minute, we recognize that the best resources we can recommend are the up to date news outlets in the areas in which we operate. Accordingly, please visit the below links for the most recent and relevant travel advisories and restrictions for Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Thailand. Please also check our DAILY Instagram story @madmonkeyhostels for the most up to date information regarding temporary hostel closures or disruptions, along with pertinent information. With onward travel in flux, you may choose to stay in one place and extend your stay in one of our open locations. Please speak to our teams digitally or in person at reception to understand the package rates that may be available to you in the event you choose to or must remain abroad. We will maintain our exemplary customer service and our core values, most notably family spirit, and be here to make this period as safe, hospitable, and hopeful as possible. Thank you for being a loyal Mad Monkey and together, we will get through this trying time and continue to embrace the madness! Sincerely, Mad Monkey For all South East Asian Travel Advisories: https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/coronavirus-asia-asean-live-updates-by-country/ AUSTRALIA: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19 https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert CAMBODIA: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50703066/cambodia-detects-35-cases-of-covid-19-infection/ https://cne.wtf/ INDONESIA: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/03/17/covid-19-indonesia-suspends-visa-free-policy-expands-ban-for-people-from-worst-hit-countries.html LAOS: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-03/17/c_138884685.htm https://laotiantimes.com/ PHILIPPINES: https://cnnphilippines.com/ https://www.rappler.com/nation/254884-coronavirus-cases-philippines-march-17-2020 THAILAND: https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1880525/thailand-reports-30-new-coronavirus-cases
Feb
Mad Monkey Presents at the 2020 Hostelworld Conference
The conference featured a number of seminars presented by Hostelworld professionals and other presenters aimed to aid those of us in the business. From introducing new technology that could eliminate reception desks (you read that right) to workshops on how to tailor marketing strategies for 2020, all participants left with plenty of knowledge to kick-start a successful year. Arguably the most moving of seminars was the segment, “Building a Better World.” It’s become clear that customers are passionate about the community, the environment, and other similar issues. Travelers and consumers want to support both sustainable and ethical brands, and Mad Monkey is so honored to announce that we were asked to present our CSR business model to the Hostelworld community. “What started as a basic hostel in the heart of Cambodia’s capital some nine years ago has become one of the largest hostel chains in the world, equipped with onsite restaurants, tours, and more—but with this enormous growth comes great responsibility—to the Mad Monkey team, our investors, and customers,” said Kelly Iverson, the comprehensive marketing manager of Mad Monkey. “That’s where CSR comes in.” Iverson went on to explain how Mad Monkey’s CSR (corporate social responsibility) business model has helped guide the company to be socially accountable in all aspects of its existence in all 13 and counting properties. From phasing out single-use plastic in 2020 to hosting weekly beach cleanup in all of our hostels found anywhere near a coastline, CSR aligns with Mad Monkey’s values and not only betters the communities but also betters a customers’ experience. According to Hostelworld’s Hostel Traveler Study and Hostel Operator Survey conducted in 2019, customers want to volunteer in things like community activities. If these aren’t organized by the actual hostels, it is estimated that some 69% of customers are organizing these community efforts themselves. This just goes to show that adopting a CSR business model in addition to sustainable business efforts is the way of the future for accommodation options in 2020.
Jan
Response: Siargao hostel ordered closed for violating environment laws
The Mad Monkey local general manager was at the time overcoming a strong typhoon that had hit the island, causing damage and compromising our waste management protocols. However, upon investigation we found that our standard processes and policies were not followed adequately, and as a result, the senior member of staff responsible decided to resign from the company. To ensure this will not happen again, we have updated our global Health, Safety and Compliance documentation. We have trained and deployed personnel within this department at global, regional and property levels. The role of this department is to ensure all operating policies and procedures related to Health, Safety and Compliance remain updated and implemented in line with national laws and internal standards. On-site quarterly Health, Safety and Compliance audits are conducted internally in each property by trained Regional officers, and at least one team member per property must be trained in Level II Health & Safety and Pollution Control and is assigned the responsibility of securing the implementation of these standards on a day-to-day basis. Mad Monkey is committed to maintaining the highest standards in our operation at all times. When things do go wrong, it is important that we admit it and improve our processes whilst being transparent to our stakeholders. We would like to apologize to all of our community stakeholders in Siargao for this oversight in our operating procedures. Mad Monkey has worked with the local stakeholder team and local authorities to re-establish our compliance, repair the damage and pay all fines relating to the matter. Should anyone have any suggestions or feel we could further improve on this process, please do not hesitate to contact our team. Since 2011 Mad Monkey Hostels has operated across Southeast Asia by being sustainable in our operations. Having identified this process issue, we are confident that our processes for dealing with disaster situations, such as typhoons, now have a rigorous pollution control process supporting their management.
Aug
St Christopher’s & Mad Monkey Hostels Announce Marketing Partnership
17th August 2018 Two leading hostel operators partner to drive direct bookings St Christopher’s Inns hostels, one of the largest hostel companies in Europe operated by the Beds & Bars Group, with over 20 operating locations in 11 countries and Mad Monkey Hostels, one of the largest hostel companies in Asia with 10 operating locations in 4 countries, today announced a joint marketing partnership. This partnership will see the both parties promote each others properties world-wide and collaborate on various marketing initiatives to increase direct bookings in their customer supply chains. St Christopher’s customers will benefit from exclusive discounts and special rates at all Mad Monkey Hostels in Asia & Australia and Mad Monkey customers will benefit from special rates and offers at St Christopher’s hostels located across the best cities in Europe. The two will also be collaborating with content and social media communications to their growing customer base including regular content swaps. Employees of the two hostel companies will also benefit from special staff discounts at each others properties. The partnership is aimed at strengthening both companies growing direct sales channels and providing customers significant added value when they make a direct booking. Murray Roberts, Managing Director of St Christopher’s Inns at Beds & Bars stated “This deal will allow Mad Monkey’s half a million customers a year to get discount breaks at our hostels in Europe that are not available through other channels. With Asian customers becoming a growing percentage of our customer base and with Mad Monkeys leadership position in Asia, this agreement helps us extend our direct reach to qualified customers that want to enjoy the best and most social hostel experience possible during their European travels.” Steve Vaile, Chairman of Mad Monkey Hostels stated, “We want to provide the customer with the best value when booking direct, the partnership with St Christopher’s provides our customers with instantly discounted stays in what we consider to be the best hostels in Europe. St Christopher’s hostels have an amazing social atmosphere and offer an excellent food and beverage experience; they are also a socially responsible business and have a great impact in their communities, that is what our customers are looking for and we are confident that any Mad Monkey customer will love staying at St Christopher’s and vice versa.” Existing Mad Monkey customers can utilise the discounts now by clicking here. About St Christopher’s Inns St Christopher’s Inns are 21 of Europe’s best party hostels in Europe’s best cities, owned by Beds and Bars. A place for backpackers to meet new people, make new memories and discover what every city and culture has to offer. You’ll find our award-winning hostels and Belushi’s backpacker bars in the most popular and liveliest cities across the UK & Europe including London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Cardiff, Bruges, Prague, Edinburgh, Bath and Newquay. https://www.st-christophers.co.uk About Mad Monkey Mad Monkey Hostels is one of the largest youth travel operators and providers of accommodation and adventure tourism services in Asia. Established in 2011 in Phnom Penh, the company has quickly grown by 45% CAGR each year and is now present in six countries with 10 properties and 7 properties in development. Find out more at www.staging.madmonkeytickets.com