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.
BYTAP and Tourism Australia launch digital content initiative to promote Australia
The Backpacker & Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP) has been working on a digital content initiative to promote Australia. Over 200 photos and five short videos are now freely available for...
U.S. Department of State announces change to DS-2019 form requirements
The Department of State has recently announced a change to the DS-2019 form requirements, allowing designated Sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program to digitally sign and electronically transmit...
Youth travel and Brexit
The Brexit vote in 2016 to leave the European Union eventually led to the UK formally departing on 31 January 2020. Since then, there has been much speculation on the consequences of Brexit for many...
Barcelona Pere Tarrés Youth Hostel receives Biosphere certification for commitment to the environment
This week, Barcelona Pere Tarrés Youth Hostel was awarded the Biosphere certification, one of the most important sustainability accreditations in the tourism sector, in recognition of its dedication...
Youth travel agency KILROY launches in the UK
Former STA leader John Mccoach to help spur growth in UK youth travel market KILROY, a leading youth and student travel agency headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, today announced its launch in the...
International youth travel poised for continued stability and growth in volume and expenditure
PRESS RELEASE Youth travel has long been considered a significant segment of international travel, both in terms of the number of trips taken and the volume of spending. Research undertaken by WYSE...
BUNAC and USIT launch youth-led travel brand, JENZA
Backed by 60+ years of expertise, JENZA is a new youth-led travel brand designed for a generation that craves adventure – but no longer has the luxury of exploring without earning or the appetite...
Sleep doesn’t come easy: In conversation with Adrie Vreeke of Capsule Services
It started in Switzerland in 2018 as an add-on to an idea. It grew to a multi-location business, focussed on a unique and extraordinary guest experience: Swiss CapsulesTM, an accommodation concept...
CIEE announces relaunch of its Global Internship Conference (GIC)
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) is excited to announce the re-launch of its Global Internship Conference (GIC). Started in 2012, the annual GIC convenes global leaders in higher...
Looking to 2023 with the Study Abroad Panel
Nina Slupphaugh Study Abroad Chair“I love student exchange and international education! I truly believe that we provide something important, both to the individual people involved and also as a...
WYSE Travel Confederation: Growth and developments in the digital nomad market since COVID-19
As outlined in WYSE Travel Confederation’s New Horizons IV: A global study of the youth and student traveller, the rise of the digital nomad was already evident, even before the pandemic. In New...
Is ChatGPT coming for our jobs?
Hailed as an AI game-changer, ChatGPT seems to be taking the world by storm. But is it all its hyped up to be? And should us humans be worried? Read on; we put it to the test. WYSE: Hey, we hear...
Tourism Adventure Group merges accommodation brands Base Backpackers and Nomads
WYSE Travel Confederation Member Tourism Adventure Group has announced the merge of its travel accommodation brands, Base Backpackers and Nomads. Renewed confidence in the international travel...
CAPAA Welcomes Anna Prasad as its new Chair
CAPAA, the Cultural Au Pair Association of Australia, is pleased to announce its new Chair, Anna Prasad. Anna has been working in the Au pair sector for close to 5 years and is currently managing...
Coming in 2023: New Horizons 5, the global study of youth and student travel
The youth traveller stays longer and spends more, but how do we know this? Twenty years of the study dedicated to understanding young travellers, New Horizons. The fifth iteration of the New...
Five ways to get the attention of prospects and competitors
At this year's World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Lisbon, Portugal, WYSE Travel Confederation’s Research and Education Manager Wendy Morrill outlined five ways that you can attract...
WYSE Travel Confederation announces winners of the 2022 Global Youth Travel Awards
MEDIA RELEASE The winners of the six Global Youth Travel Awards (GYTA) were announced during a gala dinner on 30 September, during the final evening of the 2022 World Youth and Student Travel...
Building back and renewed advocacy initiatives at WYSE Travel Confederation 2022 Annual General Meeting
Members and guests attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of WYSE Travel Confederation ahead of the 2022 World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Lisbon, Portugal on Tuesday, 27...
WYSE Travel Confederation 2022 Board and Sector Panel ratifications
The following members were confirmed to the Management Board and Sector Panels during the 2022 Annual General Meeting of WYSE Travel Confederation, held on 27 September ahead of the World Youth and...
BYTAP responds to Minister for Travel & Trade on role of Working Holiday Makers
Since Australia reopened its borders to Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) in December 2021, a third of the usual number of WHMS are currently in Australia. What's more, there is a backlog of over 13,000...
90 years young and a new generation hihostels.com
It’s 2022 and the International Youth Hostel Federation, also known as Hostelling International (HI) celebrates 90 years since its very first International Conference in Amsterdam in 1932. Over...
Ask Us Anything: Terri Hamilton, Brigham Young University
What does study abroad look like post-COVID? Hear about some of the changes in this episode of Ask Us Anything by WYSE Travel Confederation. In this conversation, you’ll hear Terri Hamilton of...
Ask Us Anything: Clare Weston, KILROY
Hear from KILROY, the largest youth and student travel agency in northern Europe, in this episode of Ask Us Anything by WYSE Travel Confederation. In this conversation, you’ll hear from Clare...
Ask Us Anything: Fabiana Martilotta, Viajeros Sin Fronteras
Find out what’s going on in the student travel market of Uruguay in this interview with Fabiana Martilotta, Director General and CEO of Viajeros Sin Fronteras. Fabiana discusses the most popular...
Welcome to our new member – Yalla Basta
YallaBasta is an award-winning travel company and Israel’s leading food tours provider.
Meet the new WYSE Management Board Chair
I’m excited about how generational change in the workforce will drive a need for innovation and new technology.
Meet our new Accommodation Panel Chair
We are delighted to count on Diogo’s invaluable support and guidance for the Accommodation Panel.
Welcome to our new member – Kiwi Experience
Kiwi Experience is New Zealand’s only dedicated Hop On Hop Off and Small Group Operator.
Welcome to our new member Leisure Accommodation Collective
The Leisure Accommodation Collective is a collection of youth travel and accommodation venues across Australia and New Zealand. 1. To add to the above, can you elaborate a little more on who you are...
Educatius UK Achieves Prestigious BSA Preliminary Accreditation
Educatius UK, a leading provider of high school exchange programs, is proud to announce its Preliminary Accreditation by the Boarding School Association (BSA). This renowned accreditation recognises Educatius UK’s adherence to the highest standards of student welfare and safety.
WeTravel releases second annual travel trends report
Drawing insights from over 600 global travel businesses, the report shows significant changes in booking and payments since 2023, showcasing a remarkable 181% increase in travellers making total payments at booking.
Welcome to our new member – Haka House
An amalgamation of assets between GCP Hospitality and Haka Tourism Group, created Haka House Hostels which will operate 13 hostels across 11 centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Isabelle Gruner takes over management of Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof
As of January 2024, Isabelle Gruner will take over the management of Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof, a hostel with 190 beds in the heart of Interlaken, Switzerland.
New year, new looks: extensive hotel renovations at three MEININGER Hotels in 2024
The European hotel group is investing in comprehensive renovations of three properties: one in Munich and two in Vienna, as part of over 10 larger-scale hotel refurbishments in 2024.
WYSE Travel Confederation invites members to co-exhibit at ITB Berlin 2024
The World Youth, Student and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation is pleased to announce that it will once again host the WYSE Village at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show, on 5-7 March 2024.
Meet the new WYSE members of 2023
Welcome to all our new members of 2023. We are delighted to see our network continue to grow, allowing us to offer you even more opportunities to trade and forge global partnerships to develop your business.