A backpacker is spending £13,000 he saved for a round-the-world trip on opening Hull's first youth hostel.
Niccolas Irvin, 22, went to Tanzania after graduating from the University of Hull and had intended to continue his travels.
But on a solo cycle ride to Paris, he decided to bring the world to Hull instead.
Mr Irvin took over a building opposite Argos in Lowgate, city centre, and is converting it into the five-room, 20-bed Hull Trinity Hostel.
He said: "I've always had the idea of running a hostel.
"What I love most about travelling is meeting people, so this is going to set me up for life.
"It's going to be really good for me. I will talk to anyone, whether it's a group of young people who want to go out and party or an older person who wants to have a chat."
Mr Irvin does not believe Hull has ever had a hostel before, although there is one in Beverley.
Given the city's ferry dock, he believes it is well-placed to give travellers exploring Britain their first taste of the country's culture.
He said: "The hostel is five minutes' drive from the ferries and walking distance from the station.
"People don't seem to realise there's quite a demand for tourism in Hull.
"There are so many hotels but their prices are too much for backpackers."
It might have traditionally been seen as the end of the line, isolated from the rest of the country, but young travellers could make East Yorkshire their first port of call.
When Mr Irvin was abroad, he found Hull City's Premier League status meant more people knew about his home town.
He said: "People coming off the ferries tend to go straight through to York or Leeds, but if there's a place here where they can have an affordable night, they might stay.
"People come to England to travel, but Hull has always been out of the way.
"Hopefully, within a few years, we will have established a reputation in the travelling and backpacking community. People will say, 'If you're going to England, stay in Hull'."
Hull Trinity Hostel has already attracted the attention of the city's artists.
Several have donated time or paintings to give it a boost.
Nearby Humber Street is tipped to take off as a creative centre in the next few years and Mr Irvin believes it will draw in many more visitors.
The other big development will come when Hull becomes UK City of Culture 2017. Mr Irvin expects the real buzz to start up then.
He said: "The City Of Culture UK year is going to be massive.
"If I can establish this place as a destination backpackers want to come to, that would be great. It's about time this area picks up again."
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