MEDIA RELEASE
WYSE Travel Confederation is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 The Global Youth Travel Awards (GYTAs). The GYTAs recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of organisations and individuals dedicated to enhancing the experiences of young travellers worldwide.
This year saw a record number of submissions across 12 award categories, reflecting the growing innovation and impact within the youth, student, and educational travel industry. A panel of judges carefully reviewed the entries against established criteria to determine the shortlist of finalists.
David Chapman, Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation, commented: “We are delighted to see a record level of engagement in the 2025 Global Youth Travel Awards. The breadth and quality of submissions demonstrate the vitality of the youth travel industry and the unwavering commitment of organisations to delivering meaningful travel experiences for young people.”
The winners of the Global Youth Travel Awards will be announced at the gala dinner on the final evening of WYSTC Lisbon on 26 September 2025.
2025 Global Youth Travel Awards finalists
Best Responsible Tourism Initiative
Inout Hostel
Ubuhle Be Narha Tours
WildChina Education
Outstanding Contribution to the SDGs
African Impact – Girl Impact Program
CAS Trips
Global Leadership Adventures – Thailand Internship
Youth Travel Influencer of the Year
Kateacrossborderss
Perspectives with Andrea
The Poor Traveler
Best Marketing Campaign
AmeriCamp
HI USA
Stepabroad
Best Use of AI
Ediphi
Hanover CRM
Spirit Cultural Exchange
Best Work Experience Provider
Alliance Abroad
Dimi’s Adventure
GEC Exchanges
Best Education Abroad Provider
Centre for Global Citizenship Studies
EcoTraining
Experiment e.V.
Khalil Services
Extraordinary Experience
FIE
Greenheart International – Leaders Conference
World Nomads
Best Hostel
Lub d Phuket Patong
LyLo Auckland
YHA Sydney Harbour
Best Sustainable Tour Operator
Camps International
CAS Trips
Mad Monkey Ha Giang
Best Local Community Engagement
Abraham Group
Impact Explorers
ImpacTrip
WYSTC Partnership Award
Work, Stay + Play @ LyLo
Hanover CRM & Alliance Strategies
GoEco & Freepackers
For more information about the Global Youth Travel Awards, please click here.
To register for WYSTC, please click here.
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WYSE Travel Confederation
+31 (0)20 421 2800
communications@wysetc.org
About the Global Youth Travel Awards
The Global Youth Travel Awards (GYTAs) formally recognise outstanding performers in fourteen fields of international youth travel and reward WYSE Travel Confederation members and other stakeholders in the youth, student and educational travel industry who make an outstanding contribution to our industry.
The GYTAs began at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) 2011 in Barcelona with a focus on bringing to light the great experiences being provided by members of the community. The Awards ceremony has subsequently been held annually at WYSTC, bar the 2020 and 2021 editions which took place virtually.
About WYSE Travel Confederation
The World Youth Student and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation is a global not-for-profit membership organisation dedicated to promoting and developing opportunities for the youth, student and educational travel industry. Founded in 2006 and created from the merger of the Federation of International Youth Travel organisations (FIYTO) and the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) – both formed after World War II to inspire young people through international travel and to help remove cultural barriers – the confederation brings together 60 years of youth travel expertise. From adventure tour operators to au pair agencies, cultural exchange programmes to language schools, hop-on-hop-off buses to student insurance and youth hostels to volunteer programmes, WYSE Travel Confederation is the world’s most powerful network of youth and student travel professionals, connecting key industry players with decision makers and government officials.
The Confederation is committed to understanding the ever-changing characteristics, motivations and needs of young travellers. By gathering, analysing and sharing important market intelligence with members, academics and government decision-makers, the unique fast-changing needs of the youth market is at the forefront of its activities as it seeks to accelerate the development of youth travel.