Hostelling International
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| Abbreviation | HI |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1932 |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Accommodation for backpackers across the world |
| Location |
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Region served | Global |
Membership | Youth Hostel members |
| Affiliations | |
| Website | hihostels |
Hostelling International (HI), a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation, partners with UNESCO and the World Tourism Organisation UNWTO.[1] Formerly known as International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF), Hostelling International (HI) has grown to include 60 member associations, managing over 2,650 hostels worldwide.[2]
Origins of the IYHF[edit]
Richard Schirrmann, after creating many Youth hostels in Germany, founded the nationwide German Youth Hostel Association in 1919 to create an organized network of affordable and safe accommodation for schools, youths, and individuals.[3]
This concept spread to other European countries, leading to the formation of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) in October 1932[4] in Amsterdam by representatives from associations in Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Britain, Ireland, France, and Belgium. In 1933, Richard Schirrmann became the president, but the German Government forced him to resign in 1936.[5]
Initially, youth hostels had a distinct setup from modern hostels, but with the rise of backpacking culture, they adapted to meet the changing needs of travellers so as not to lose customers and abandoning the idea of chores in most locations, except for a few.[citation needed]
Modern organization[edit]
Hosteling International (HI), is a global network of 60 national youth hostel associations, operating over 2,650 hostels worldwide.[2] It is based in Welwyn Garden City, near London. The organization provides services for travellers and coordinates the national organizations, It also facilitates youth work, international, and cross-cultural understanding with UNESCO.[citation needed]
HI marked its eightieth anniversary in 2012, the organization held its inaugural International Conference in 1932 at the YMCA hotel in Amsterdam. Representatives from eleven National Associations attended this conference, during which they agreed on a standardized international membership card and established minimum standards for the equipment and supervision of youth hostels. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, HI hostels welcome 37 million overnight stays annually.[2]
Despite the parent organization having its charity status in the UK, not all member organizations share this status. Some, like Hostelling International Canada, have lost charity status, while others, like the YHA in England and Wales, have considered becoming commercial company during a 2005 consultation due to the increased competition from independent for-profit hostels.
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
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 | |
