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.
Dubai Welcomes Global Hospitality Recruitment Powerhouse, Alliance Abroad
Dubai, UAE, 23 May 2023 - Alliance Abroad, the renowned leader in global hospitality recruitment and cultural exchange, has set its sights on Dubai with the opening of its newest office. This...
Welcome to our new member: CHE Intercultural Exchange
Tell us your story. How did CHE Intercultural Exchange get started? CHE started out back in around 1991 as a not-for-profit company under the name ‘Cultural Homestay in Europe’ (abbreviated to...
Welcome to our new member: Worldwide Friends
Tell us your story. How did Worldwide Friends get started? Worldwide Friends Iceland (WF) was founded in 2001 as a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting nature and peace-oriented...
Federal budgets hit Working Holiday Makers at a time when youth tourism is struggling
The announcement in yesterday’s budget of a 21% increase in the cost of a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa is a blow to the youth tourism sector, which is still struggling to recover in the wake of...
Activities and accommodation type in the youth travel market
The New Horizons survey of youth and student travel is back. Over the next few months, we will be gathering data on youth travel around the globe with the New Horizons 5 survey. Changes and trends...
WYSE Travel Confederation doubles budget for 2023 World Youth and Student Travel Conference hosted buyer programme
WYSE Travel Confederation, the global not-for-profit membership organisation dedicated to promoting and developing opportunities for the youth, student and educational travel industry, has announced...
Welcome to our new member – Discover Qatar
Tell us your story. What is Discover Qatar? Discover Qatar is the Destination Management Company of Qatar Airways and a proud partner of Qatar Tourism. With an outstanding and comprehensive...
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...
Strong demand and responsible travel choices expected to flow into 2024
WYSE Travel Confederation’s community of youth and student travel specialists was represented by Director General David Chapman in this year’s Titans of Tourism panel discussion.
Travel + ______ = Happiness
How happy are you from travelling? From one to ten, what would you say? Five? Nine? 6.66? But before you rate your happiness, tell us this: how many activities did you do on your last trip? We might be able to make a good guess at how happy you are!
CAS Trips Unveils Community-Led Service Trips
Global student travel tour operator CAS Trips announces the launch of CLS (Community-Led Service) Trips. As of today, CAS Trips invites schools and students aged 14-18 to explore eight destinations.
Viajero Hostels opens in Huacachina, Perú
On 1 December 2023, Viajero Hostels opened in Huacachina, Perú, welcoming all Viajeros – travellers – from around the world. A member of WYSE Travel Confederation, Viajero Hostels is the renowned Latin-American hostel chain, with destinations in seven countries and more than 20 cities.
Gen Z, OTAs and group travel
Many factors shape the type of accommodation chosen by travellers, including supply in the destination, duration of stay, purpose of the trip and budget.
Welcome to our new member – Divan International
Divan is the founder of the cultural exchange and J1 programs to the Middle East Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. arguably Divan is the best leading cultural exchange, educational, training, language, and travel organization, widely known for its unique services for travelers from Arab countries.
Welcome to our new member – IREX
IREX is a global development and education organization based in Washington, DC. Our participants are usually graduate students, PhD students, professional researchers or professors so they are a bit further into their careers.
Welcome to our new member Hopscotch Travel
Hopscotch Travel connects youth to great work and travel experiences available after high school, university, and beyond. We offer Au Pair, English teaching, seasonal, and hospitality experiences.
UNWTO recognises WYSE Travel Confederation among longest-standing Affiliate Members
UNWTO formaly recognised WYSE Travel Confederation among its longest-standing Affiliate Members, during the Award Ceremony organised during the 44th Affiliate Members Plenary Session, held on 16 October 2023 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan).
Welcome to our new member – Coffee Shack Adventure Backpackers
A fun, good-value hostel with excellent facilities and amazing, friendly local staff. We provide clean, safe, budget accommodation which includes Ensuite private rooms, dormitories and camping.
Capsule Services to open new hotel in Lucerne in spring 2024
In spring 2024, in the middle of the beautiful old town of Lucerne, Capsule Services will open the doors of its newest Capsule Hotel. In 2018, the first Capsule Hotel in Switzerland opened in...
Welcome to our new member – Discova
Discova is a global DMC with 15 years’ experience in Educational Travel, offering educational experiences in: language exchange, culture, sports, business, STEM, history and geography, service learning.