a&o Significantly Expands Its International Sales Team

Adrien Colpaert, David Kupsky, and Christos Praftsas strengthen the French, UK, and Scandinavian markets

 

London, UK March 11th, 2026 – With the appointments of Belgian Adrien Colpaert, Czech-born David Kupsky, and Greek Christos Praftsas, Europe’s largest hostel group, a&o, is strengthening its International Sales team with a dynamic trio while placing greater strategic focus on the French, British, and Scandinavian markets. Colpaert (37) will be based in Brussels, while Kupsky (22) and Praftsas (24) will operate from a&o’s locations in London and Copenhagen, respectively. Notably, the sales role dedicated to the French market is being filled again for the first time in many years. 

  

Phillip Winter, Chief Marketing Officer at a&0, commented on the new additions: “We have been able to attract young, dynamic experts who, in addition to their studies, have extensive practical experience and are themselves enthusiastic travellers – this perspective is extremely valuable with regard to our core guest groups.”  

  

a&o Expects Occupancy Rates of Up to 80 Percent 
Berlin-based a&o Hostels has embarked on a significant growth trajectory in the UK since 2021, opening new locations in Edinburgh (2021), Brighton (2024), London (2025), and Manchester (2026). The two Copenhagen properties have been part of the established portfolio since 2017 and 2020, as a “gateway to the Nordics,” they play a key role for a&o, respectively, offering a total of 1,370 beds.   

  

Phillip Winter said: “We expect a strong year in 2026, with up to 600,000 overnight stays across our UK properties, reaching an average occupancy rate of around 75 percent. In Copenhagen, we anticipate occupancy of approximately 80 percent, with around 328,000 overnight stays.” 

  

The guest mix remains well balanced, with 68 percent individual travellers and 32 percent groups. According to Winter, the locations also benefit from a dynamic student population, while demand from the sports segment continues to grow. 

  

Number of French guests on the rise    

France is becoming an increasingly important source market. In cities such as Brussels and Berlin, French guests already account for more than ten percent of visitors, with a clear upward trend. Against this backdrop, appointing a dedicated sales manager for France is a logical next step. 

  

According to a recent YouGov survey, a&o’s brand awareness in France currently stands at nine percent among its core target group. 

 

“Together with Adrien, we will now build on this momentum, further expand our presence and strengthen our brand,” Winter said. 

  

A spotlight on the qualifications of the new team members   

a&o has appointed Adrien Colpaert as Sales Manager for France. The 37-year-old holds a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from La Haute École de Namur and brings extensive experience in both event and hotel management, including roles in Spain, Australia, and Germany. For Colpaert, languages remain the key to understanding other cultures.  

  

David Kupsky, originally from the Czech Republic, has lived in the UK for the past ten years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Portsmouth and has gained broad experience across the hospitality sector in a variety of roles. An avid skydiver and surfer, Kupsky has also worked as a Hotel Manager for an international budget hotel group. 

  

Christos Praftsas, from Athens, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Roskilde University. The 24-year-old has gained marketing and sales experience across several international companies. Communication, collaboration, and strong partnerships are central to his professional approach. 

  

Representing three markets but speaking with one voice, the a&o Sales Managers share a common goal: 

“We want to position a&o Hostels as the best value-for-money accommodation in Europe. Our aim is to make affordable travel a meaningful experience for guests of all ages – whether solo travellers, couples, families, or groups travelling for business or leisure.” 

About a&o

a&o was founded in Berlin in 2000 by its current CEO, Oliver Winter. The company currently operates 45 locations with approximately 31,300 beds in 31 cities across ten European countries. True to its motto, “Everyone can travel,” a&o makes travel affordable. Backpackers, solo travellers, families, school groups, and clubs are among a&o’s core guest segments. The number of business travellers and seniors is also steadily increasing. In the first half of 2025, a&o recorded 1.4 million guests, 3.1 million overnight stays, and achieved an occupancy rate of 73 percent. With 6.2 million overnight stays, 2.8 million guests, and revenue of €232.4 million, 2024 was the most successful year in the company’s history to date. As part of its sustainability strategy, a&o is continuously working to further reduce CO2e emissions per overnight stay. Since the end of 2023, StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners have owned a&o. Recent openings include Manchester, London, Milan, Florence, and Brussels. More information at https://www.aohostels.com/en/