‘Malicious discrimination’: youth hostels in China shun ‘inconvenient’ guests over 35 because ‘they might snore’, drawing online backlash
- Complaint by tourist who was turned away because of his age by hostel in Beijing riles people on social media
- Youth hostel owners say the clue is in the name and that older guests can create management ‘challenges’
Some budget hotels in China have become mired in controversy by refusing to accept guests aged 35 or above after a tourist complained about discrimination.
The tourist, surnamed Li, said he wanted to book a room at a youth hostel in Beijing in June but discovered some outlets required guests to be aged under 35.
“It is a requirement full of malicious discrimination, wrote Li on social media, adding that he was about 35 years old.
According to Li, when he asked why they set an upper age limit, some hostel owners said it was not safe for older people to climb up to the upper bunk beds.
“I feel speechless. I can do 50 push-ups, run 5km and climb over a two-metre wall. Why is it dangerous for me to climb on to the upper bunk?” Li said, according to online outlet Chao News.
Other hostels told him they do not accept guests aged over 35 because they have different lifestyle habits from the younger generation, which poses challenges for management, the report said.
