Essential
market insight
Our members gain an advantage over industry competitors with free access to the industry’s most comprehensive insights into the youth and student travel market.
Our publications are also available for individual purchase by non-members; please contact us to request a publication.
Our latest member interview – Eduvoyage
Interview with Shaik Shibli, Head of MarketingTell us your story. How did Eduvoyage get started?Eduvoyage is an ITL World Company, so perhaps I should start there. ITL World originated during the...
In search of the aging backpacker
We’ve been tracking the quintessential youth traveller since 2002 – the backpacker. In 2017, data from WYSE Travel Confederation’s New Horizons Survey of the youth and student traveller indicated...
Tourism Leading Other Global Sectors in Advancing Gender Equality, New Report Shows
London, United Kingdom, 7 November 2019 – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with UN Women, The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), World Bank Group and...
Sunny days and lively nights attract WYSTC delegates to the buzzing capital of Portugal for business
More than 600 representatives are convening in Lisbon for the best annual business conference for the youth and student travel industry. The World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) brings...
Welcome to our new member – American Tour Guide Association
Interview with Paula Reynolds, President Tell us your story. How did American Tour Guide Association get started? American Tour Guide Association started with a vision to create experiences rather...
Presenting the finalists of the 2019 Global Youth Travel Awards
The 2019 Global Youth Travel Awards (GYTAs) ceremony will be held on 11 October, bringing the World Youth and Student Travel Conference in Lisbon to a close. This year, we have received a...
Viajero Hostels opens its 10th hostel in Latin America
On August 13 the Latin American chain of hostels, Viajero, opened the doors of a new hostel in the city of Santa Marta, Colombia with a capacity of 170 beds and a price range of between USD 11 and...
Exports From International Tourism Hit USD 1.7 Trillion
Madrid (Spain), 6 June 2019 - Exports generated by international tourism reached USD 1.7 trillion in 2018, a 4% increase in real terms over the previous year, a new report from the World Tourism...
Giving travellers a more authentic glimpse of Indonesia
With the aim of providing youth travellers with a real feel of what the country has to offer, The Dragon Trip has created a range of new budget backpacking tours, taking 18 to 35-year olds across...
Amsterdam TrevPAB and the Market’s Shifting Revenue Management
By Kelsey Fenerty, STR AMSTERDAM – From a revenue perspective, one of the biggest differences in the hostel and comparable hotel operating models is the relative contribution of ancillary revenue...
If every travel company would do just one small thing
Making progress on sustainable travel with youth - an interview with Urban Adventures' Responsible Business Manager. WYSE Travel Confederation spoke to Anula Galewska, Responsible Business Manager...
“With these non-negotiable factors the guests are rarely disappointed”
An interview with David O’Kelly of SANDEMANs NEW Europe Perhaps one of the most well known brands when it comes to guided tours, SANDEMANs NEW Europe is both an industry disruptor and the epitome of...
F words dominate millennial travel splurges
No need to cover your ears. It’s food and festivals that are dominating millennial travel splurging and WYSE is bringing these two F bombs to this year’s WYSE workshop programme at ITB Berlin....
Booking.com reveals 8 travel predictions for 2019
From cultural exchanges and eco activism, to virtual agents and a ‘less is more’ mentality – here are the biggest travel trends for next year Leveraging its unique position as a travel and...
What value can be placed on digital nomads?
Driven by cheap travel, freelance work, the internet, and the sharing economy, a new traveller is emerging: the digital nomad. Why should we care about digital nomads? This and other questions were...
Announcing Cloudbeds’ industry-leading integration with Airbnb
WYSE Travel Confederation member, Cloudbeds, officially announced yesterday a seamless new integration with Airbnb. The real-time connection between Cloudbeds’ property management suite and Airbnb...
UNWTO launches online platform to achieve SDGs through Tourism
Tourism4SDGs.org is a newly created online tool designed to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through tourism. Developed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with...
Six millennial and gen Z travel trends we are tracking in New Horizons IV
Are millennials killing the chain restaurant industry? How can the housing market compete with millennials’ love of avocado toast? Will face-to-face communication go the way of the landline in a gen...
BridgeClimb Sydney loses right to operate tourist climbs of Sydney Harbour Bridge
After more than 20 years of taking international and domestic tourists over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) announced on 15 June, 2018 that BridgeClimb Sydney...
Welcome to our newest member – El Viajero Hostels
Interview with Alejandro Osorio – Development Director Tell us your story. How did El Viajero Hostels get started? El Viajero Hostels was founded by our CEO Federico Lavagna, a world traveller, who...
European Capital of Smart Tourism will recognise innovative and inclusive tourism development
The European commission wants to recognise innovative, inclusive, culturally diverse and sustainable practices in tourism development by European cities. That's why, on the initiative of the...
Millennial and gen Z travellers spending more, experiencing life as a local
Forget clubbing, couch-surfing, and selfie sticks. The 2018 ITB Berlin Youth Travel Hall (4.1) showed off what the youth travel market is really about - experiential and immersive travel for key...
Millennial and GenZ travellers spending more, experiencing life as a local
MEDIA RELEASE Millennial and GenZ travellers spending more, experiencing life as a local Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 9 March 2018 Forget clubbing, couch-surfing, and selfie sticks. The 2018 ITB...
Expert insights and Heineken on tap at ITB Berlin in the Youth Travel Hall (4.1)
During ITB Berlin 2018, travel professionals will have the opportunity to learn from some of youth and student travel’s experts and thought-leaders. WYSE Travel Confederation has a jam-packed...
Giant inflatable flamingo or portable disco ball?
If you could pack one of those non-essential items for your next trip, which would it be? Or maybe one is essential to your next trip?*
Potential millennial demand for creative tourism experiences – research from South Africa
Creative tourism, or the active participation by tourists in creative activities in the destination, was one of the growth areas for youth tourism identified by WYSE Travel Confederation as far back as 2005 (WYSE/UNWTO, 2005).
Welcome to our new member – Amistat Hostels
With brand-new refurbished hostels in major South European capital cities, Amistat stands out by delivering exceptional experiences and facilitating connections among travellers.
Welcome to our new member – Alliance Visas
With a focus on client needs, safety, and innovation, Alliance Visas offers unique solutions in youth travel.
Five ways to get involved with New Horizons 5
It’s time for the New Horizons 5 survey, our community’s global study of youth and student travel.
Dubai Welcomes Global Hospitality Recruitment Powerhouse, Alliance Abroad
Alliance Abroad, the renowned leader in global hospitality recruitment and cultural exchange, expands its presence with a new office in Dubai.
Welcome to our new member: CHE Intercultural Exchange
CHE Intercultural Exchange specializes exclusively in serving the Japanese market, providing educational tourism for 12–17 year olds.
Welcome to our new member: Worldwide Friends
Worldwide Friends Iceland (WF) was founded in 2001 as a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting nature and peace-oriented activities among people.
Federal budgets hit Working Holiday Makers at a time when youth tourism is struggling
From 1 July 2023, the cost of a visa sub-class 417 (Working Holiday) and visa sub-class 462 (Work & Holiday) to Australia will rise from $510 to $640.
Activities and accommodation type in the youth travel market
Ahead of New Horizons 5, we dipped into existing data on the relationship between the types of accommodation that young travellers use and the activities they undertake.
WYSE Travel Confederation doubles budget for 2023 World Youth and Student Travel Conference hosted buyer programme
WYSE Travel Confederation is redoubling its efforts to support the attendance of new buyers looking to build new connections within the industry at WYSTC.
Welcome to our new member – Discover Qatar
Discover Qatar is the DMC of Qatar Airways and partner of Qatar Tourism. Its goal is to continue advancing Qatar as a premium tourist destination.