Discovering Katowice with a hostel manager

Katowice is only one hour drive from Krakow, it's cheap and it hides secret treasures.

Justyna Pałgan is the manager of the Hostel Katowice Centrum. She's sharing with us her experience as a hostel manager and providing some insider tips about Katowice.

1. Please tell us something about yourself.
   
   I'm Justyna and I've been the manager of the Hostel Katowice Centrum since October 2014. I graduated in finance and accounting. I was already working here during my studies - at that time as a receptionist. The Hostel has been opened since June 2012, and I started here on the 1st of December 2012. I have never thought about hotel management, but now I'm here so it was destiny :)
   
   
   
   
2. Katowice is a city near Krakow. Do you see any advantages and disadvantages of living in Katowice?
   
   Of course. The adventage is that Kraków is next to Katowice (one hour away by bus). Katowice is cheaper than Kraków, so you can stay here and go there sightseeing.
   
   
3. What are the special occasions or events you have lately organised at your place?
   
   In the hostel we don't organise parties yet - our guests do! :) Of course, we're thinking about enhancing our business in the future.
   
   
4. Do you participate in any international hostels' owners meetings or conferences?
   
   Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to be a member of such meetings yet. I hope that I will be a frequenter of these conferences soon.
   
   
5. Is your hostel engaged in any particular events that also your guests can attend?
   
   Sometimes we have guests who take part in events which are organized in Spodek. I remember one of them was a MMA fighter.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Low season - people travel less, but what do you do to encourage people to visit hostel Katowice Centrum?
   
   Today, more and more events are organized in Katowice. I think that this type of event can attract visitors. What's more, in Katowice International Convention Centre was founded, the rebuilding of the market will be finished soon, the railway is no longer haunted :) The city is changing for the better.
   
   
7. What are your favourite places in Katowice?
   
   In my opinion it is worth visiting the district Nikiszowiec. See Spodek - the sign of Katowice. In the summer, I like to spend my free time at the Trzy Stawy, stroll through parks in Katowice.
   
   
   
   
8. What are your best advices for backpackers who would like to sleep in Katowice and for hostels' owners?
   
   For tourists: keep your valuables in the safe, stay in a dorm room and remember you're not alone there, follow the rules
   For owners: clean facilities, try to take care of the guests' comfort, put in a clearly visible place the most important information related to the hostel and its functioning, do not check-in guests without ID