STAY WYSE is the global forum and trade association for organisations involved in youth accommodation.

A cross section of more than 600 youth accommodation providers were invited to participate in the first ever Benchmark Study of the Youth Accommodation Industry. Read more…

STAY WYSE to hold its 2nd Annual General Meeting at the World Youth Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Brooklyn, New York.
Read more…

A cross-section of more than 600 youth accommodation providers were invited to participate in the first ever Benchmark Study of the Youth Accommodation Industry.

The aim of the study is to compare the business metrics and performance of Youth Accommodation Providers with that of others in their sector. Furthermore, the study will identify recent developments and trends in the youth accommodation industry.

On behalf of STAY WYSE, Barcelona-based Tourism Research Institute (TRAM Research), is conducting the study comprised of an online survey and in-depth face-to-face interviews. TRAM Research’s representative, Peter Welk, is currently travelling through Europe to conduct these interviews.

The online survey and face-to-face interviews will end on the 30th of June. The preliminary results will be published and presented at the STAY WYSE Annual General Meeting (AGM), at WYSTC in Brooklyn, New York on September 15th 2008.

To participate in this survey, please follow the link below or copy the address into your web browser:

http://surveys.staywyse.org/index.php?sid=43452&lang=en

STAY WYSE will hold its 2nd Annual General Meeting at the World Youth Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Brooklyn, New York on Monday, September 15th, 2008. Necessary documents for this meeting will be distributed to STAY WYSE members two weeks prior to the meeting. If you are not attending the conference and would like to delegate a proxy voter on your behalf, please ensure that you complete a proxy designation form.

For further information on the World Youth Student Travel Conference please visit www.wystc.org.

STAY WYSE currently has members in 17 countries:

Congratulations to our member Hostel Celica on their 5th anniversary! This joyous event was attended by local VIP guests, including the Slovenian Prime Minister Mr Janez Janša. The Prime Minister is not a stranger to the venue as he, apparently, spent time in the hostel 20 years ago, when it was still a prison!

Source: Hostel Celica

Stayokay will be opening a new hostel in the city centre of Rotterdam in the striking Cube Houses. These Cube Houses, which were built on pylons, were designed by the Dutch architect Piet Blom in 1984. Located close to the Oude Have or “old docks,” which is a historic area of the city bristling with bars, restaurants and cafes, the hostel is particularly suitable for groups staying several nights. For further information please visit www.stayokay.com/rotterdam.

Source: Stayokay

A leading travel and tourism lawyer has warned backpacker operators that they face a deluge of law suits from disgruntled customers, if they fail to live up to the claims in their marketing material.

Anthony Cordato issued the warning after the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal of New South Wales, Australia, ruled against mainstream tour operator Club Med in a case testing its website claim that the room in the St Moritz Roi Soleil resort offered “luxury of the highest standard.”

Rejecting Club Med’s argument that luxury cannot be measured, the tribunal ruled the description as misleading and ordered the operator to pay $4,000 in compensation. Writing exclusively in this issue [of Backpacker Trade News], Cordato urges the backpacker sector to exercise caution in its advertising. “Luxury is overused to describe accommodation – from resorts to backpacker hostels. “Be selective when using the word to describe accommodation, otherwise a law suit could be heading your way.”

Executive Officer of the Backpacker Operators’ Alliance Victoria (BOAV), Tom Stafford, presented a different slant on the interpretation, citing the National Tourism Awards (NTAs) entry criteria in the industry’s defense.

The NTA’s equate ‘standard’ with three-and-a-half stars under the AAA Tourism Star Rating Scheme, ‘deluxe’ with four-and-a-half stars and ‘luxury’ with five stars plus. “So if a hostel has a five star AAA rating in the backpacker category, it should be able to claim luxury status,” said Stafford. “It might not be the Hyatt, but within the context of backpacking it offers a superior experience.”

Source:Backpacker Trade News

TFThostels.com is powered by "Travelers for Travelers", the online Backpacking community. The aim of this online community for Backpackers is to help each other to travel on a low budget.

The TFThostels.com is the world’s first hostel search engine. It combines the directories of all major hostel booking websites into a single interface, saving visitors time and money.

Visitors can search, compare and check hostels of their choice. To book their chosen hostel they will be directed to the hostel booking website. Although the website is currently in its initial testing stage, it is fully functional.

Participating hostel booking websites include Hostelworld, Hostelbookers, Hostelsclub, Hostelmania, Gomio, Hosteltimes, HI hostels, and VIP Backpackers.

For further information please visit http://travelersfortravelers.blogspot.com/.

Source:Travelers for Travelers blog