Hospitality Startup Selina Inks Deal To Open Hostels In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Negev

The hospitality startup Selina, founded by Israeli entrepreneurs Daniel Rudasevski and Rafael Museri in Central America in 2012, is set to bring its unique brand of hostels to Israel, after signing a deal this week with local company Ampa Real Estate to begin scouting for locations.

The combined capacity is expected to reach up to 7,000 beds, and the companies have been looking at locations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev area, according to Haaretz, with future plans in Haifa.

According to the report, the Selina locations are likely to be in buildings that Ampa owns or rents long-term. The first location is slated to open in early 2019.

Selina combines affordable accommodation, co-working spaces, fine dining, wellness, volunteering initiatives, entertainment, travel and adventure across 24 urban, beach, mountain and jungle destinations in nine countries in Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean, currently.

SEE ALSO: The Israeli Dream: Hospitality Startup Selina Redefines Work And Play For Digital Nomads

NoCamels reported earlier this year that Selina is set to open its first US location in Miami by September, with New York and Los Angeles following closely. Locations in Poland, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Spain, are also planned

Haaretz reported that according to the agreement between Selina and Ampa, the latter will fund the refurbishment of the Selina locations according to the company’s specifications, after which it will pay an “inflated rental price for the properties.” The model is similar to the one in place between Ampa and WeWork in Israel.

“Selina’s activity requires a unique infrastructure with the repurposing or building of the right mix of rooms and equipment, furniture, amenities and a range of public spaces needed for its variety of activities,” Ampa chairman and CEO Tuli Cedar told Haaretz. “The design will be a partnership with local artists, similar to the type of work Selina has done elsewhere in the world.”

WeWork’s Israeli co-founder Adam Neumann was an early investor in Selina and participated in a $95 million funding round in April led by the Dubai investment firm Abraaj Group.