WYSE Travel Confederation’s 2023 New Horizons survey of international youth travel found that hostels are used by 60% of youth travellers going to Australia, compared with only 26% headed to North America and 25% to Asia, regions where hostel supply is more limited. In Asia, hotels are used by a much higher proportion of youth travellers (70%). The level of Airbnb use by youth travellers is highest in Latin America, though hotels and hostels are popular choices as well.

Hostels only

While most youth travellers use more than a single type of accommodation for multi-destination international trips, these data suggest that the availability of youth-tailored travel infrastructure in a destination has an influence on the type of accommodation used by young travellers. Other data reveal a strong regional pattern in the distribution of youth travellers who stayed in hostels only and did not use other types of accommodation.

Oceania is the destination region with the highest level of hostel-only users (44%), followed by Latin America (30%). In other world regions there were far fewer youth travellers using only hostels.

Traveller origin

Although hostel-type accommodation is limited in North America and perhaps less familiar to travellers from the region, many young travellers from North America are opting to use only hostels for international travel. Young travellers from Oceania lead the way in hostel-only trips (30%), followed by North Americans (27%) and Europeans (20%).

Travel style

There is also a strong link between one’s travel style and the type of accommodation used on a trip. The hostel is still the favoured haunt of the backpacker, whereas those who see themselves as travellers and tourists are more likely to use hotels. The flashpacker and digital nomad tend to flit between hotels and hostels, reflecting the narrowing gap between these accommodation types, which in more and more cases cater to hybrid work-travel lifestyles.

Hostels are an affordable accommodation option for young travellers, often catering to their social interests by offering activities that connect travellers with local culture and attractions. The development of international hostel chain brands over the last ten years has increased awareness of hostel accommodation with young international travellers in many world regions, even where hostels are not plentiful. The professionalisation of international hostel brands has likely also standardised hostel experiences for young travellers, with brands establishing themselves as synonymous with certain styles of experiencing a destination. Destinations without hostel accommodation are passing business to hotels and other types of travel lodging providers, not to mention dissuading young travellers from planning a stay.

More insights on youth travel

What is youth travel and why is it so important? Learn about the power of youth travel through WYSE Travel Confederation’s resources for the global network of travel industry specialists in youth, student and educational travel.