Gin Gin’s newest enterprise, the Harvest Hostel, will welcome its first guests from next Tuesday.
The $2 million hostel, which commenced construction in 2017, began accepting bookings this week.
Located off the northern approaches to Gin Gin, the Harvest Hostel will cater to up to 144 short and long-term stay guests.
Hostel marketing manager Chris Cossio said the new accommodation is the initiative of the Bickle family who own and operate the Katarzyna Group of hotels, bars and hostels throughout South East Queensland.
“Their enterprises include the Bunk hostels in Brisbane and Surfers Paradise, and the Grantham Farmworkers Lodge in the Lockyer Valley,” said Chris.
“With around 20 years in this market space, Louis Bickle is very aware of what appeals to the demographic utilising this style of accommodation.”
He said the hostel offered an exceptional accommodation experience with an emphasis on home comforts.
“We have 12 dormitories each with 12 person capacity featuring single and double bed bunks,” he said.
“Everything from the kitchen and recreation areas, well appointed laundry facilities through to the rather expansive landscaped outdoor areas provide an inviting environment for our guests.”
The hostel will cater primarily to the accommodation needs of the backpacker market which provides an essential labour source for the farming enterprises of the district.
“With the current surge in agricultural activities across the region we hope to be able to introduce guests who may be seeking employment opportunities to local farmers and growers,” Chris said.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said the hostel would provide a valuable economic stream for Gin Gin.
“The accommodation capacity of the hostel will undoubtedly have a significant and extremely positive effect on local main street traders able to support the daily needs and social activities of hostel residents,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“It represents a leap forward in essential infrastructure to service labour utilised in the area’s agricultural sector which has a strong citrus presence among the diversity of its farming practices.”
Divisional representative Cr Wayne Honor said the opening of Harvest Hostel would inject a new buoyancy into the local community.
“Great things have been happening in Gin Gin, with major work in delivering the second stage of Council’s streetscape project, as well as the upgrading of the Council Service Centre and Community Hub,” Cr Honor said.
“Congratulations are extended to the Bickle family on this initiative and I can assure them that the business community appreciated the use of local tradespeople and suppliers during the hostel construction process.”
Cr Honor also passed on congratulations to the hostel on-site managers Jamie and Jodie Dixon.
“The couple is well-known locally and Jodie has strong community connection through her former role as a journalist with the Kolan Recorder newspaper.”
Keep up to date with Harvest Hostel news on their Facebook page.
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