Managing hostels in the Rockies for years, Ken Campbell has come across situations unlike most in his position within the accommodation industry. Not only are the hostels often filled with, on average, a younger crowd, but the halls ring with a multitude of foreign languages as people happily recount their travelling adventures.

Just recently an Australian visitor approached Campbell and asked if he was the general manager of the Jasper hostel a few years back. Campbell said he was, and asked why. As it turns out, the Aussie remembered Campbell for driving him and eight friends, all packed in one small car, into town for an evening's festivities. "When he started mentioning the names, I could remember some of the faces," said Campbell, now the General Manager of the Banff International Hostel. "It's nice to see the mountains have the lure to pull people back."

While the Banff hostel is modern by all accounts -- it has room for 216 guests and a licensed, full-service cafe -- not all hostels are as well equipped. Some of the smaller, more rustic hostels further from "civilization," are essentially run by one person who basically greets visitors, collects their money and does some minor maintenance. Those working in these hostels don't require the hotel and restaurant education Campbell earned, nor the years of experience he acquired working in the hotel industry before moving over to hostels.

In addition to the location, Campbell covets his position overseeing the operations of the hostel. "There are a number of challenges, but I enjoy the fact I'm able to grow as a professional while being surrounded by a clientele that keeps me young."