Hostelling International
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| Abbreviation | HI |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1932 |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Accommodation for backpackers across the world |
| Location |
|
Region served | Global |
Membership | Youth Hostel members |
| Affiliations | |
| Website | hihostels |
Hostelling International (HI) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation working with UNESCO and the World Tourism Organisation UNWTO.[1] Formerly known as International Youth Hostel Federation, Hostelling International has 60 member associations operating over 2,650 hostels around the world.[2]
Origins of the IYHF
[edit]Richard Schirrmann founded the German Youth Hostel Association in 1919 to create an organized network of affordable accommodation for youth and school groups.[3]
This concept was adopted by other countries in Europe and eventually led to the founding of the International Youth Hostel Federation in October 1932[4] in Amsterdam by representatives from associations in Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Britain, Ireland, France, and Belgium. Schirrmann, who became president in 1933, resigned under pressure from the German Government in 1936.[5]
Youth hostels originally differed in setup from modern hostels, although the growing popularity of backpacking culture forced them to evolve. For example, in the UK, as in other countries, the practice of visitors completing daily chores and cleaning tasks as part of their stay was phased out during the 1980s.[6]
Modern organization
[edit]
HI celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2012. The organization's first International Conference took place in 1932 in Amsterdam, where representatives agreed on an international membership card and established minimum standards for hostels. HI reports 37 million overnight stays annually, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.[2] 60 National Youth Hostel Associations are members of Hostelling International (HI), with over 2,650 hostels worldwide.[2]
Although HI holds charity status in the UK, not all member organizations share this status. For example, Hostelling International Canada lost its charity status in 2008,[7][8] and the YHA in England and Wales considered commercializing in response to increased competition from independent hostels.[9]
The COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2023) led some national associations, such as the Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand, to sell off properties due to financial impacts.[10]
See also
[edit]- Category: Hostelling International member associations – pages for individual member associations of HI
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ "About HI – Hostelling International". hihostels.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Hostelling International". hihostels.com. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "A Brief History of Hostelling International". 16 May 2011.
- ^ Coburn, p. 48
- ^ Coburn, p. 81
- ^ "The History of YHA". livemore.yha.org.uk. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ Broder, Peter (2009). "Giving charities their due". LawNow.
- ^ Blumberg, Mark. "Canadian Charities and Business Activities" (PDF). Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 January 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Youth Hostel Association to close its hostels after 89 years". rnz.co.nz. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
Sources
[edit]- Coburn, Oliver. Youth Hostel Story. London: National Council of Social Service, 1950.
- Grassl, Anton and Heath, Graham. The Magic Triangle: a short history of the world youth hostel movement. [S.l.]: International Youth Hostel Federation, 1982.
- Heath, Graham. Richard Schirrmann, the first youth hosteller. Copenhagen : International Youth Hostel Federation, 1962.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
