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Access the latest insights into the youth and student travel market with news from our members, the wider industry and snapshots of WYSE Travel Confederation research.
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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...
“Without equity there is no development” – The 63rd Ministerial Meeting of the Americas focuses on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held its 63rd Regional Commission for the Americas (CAM) in Madrid, Spain on April 16, 2018. In conjunction with the National Tourism Secretariat of Paraguay...
Former UNWTO Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai receives new appointment
Former UNWTO Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai has been named the chairman of the International Advisory Board at the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT). Dr. Rifai was head of...
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...
UNWTO deepens tourism cooperation with the European Union
Advancing sustainable tourism across Europe is at the centre of an agreement signed between the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Parliament on 28 February. During his first...
Dining platform VizEat rebrands to newly acquired Eatwith
VizEat, a WYSE Travel Confederation member and the world’s largest community for local food experiences, is officially rebranding to Eatwith, following its recent acquisition of the San...
2017 International Tourism Results are the highest in seven years, according to UNWTO
According to the latest figures released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals grew by a remarkable 7% in 2017 to reach a total of 1,322 million....
A roadmap towards 2030: the legacy of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017
Participants from around the world joined the Official Closing ceremony of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 at the Palace of Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland. The...
Hello Kitty appointed Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism Development 2017
Sanrio's best-known character, Hello Kitty will help promote UNWTO's 2017 “International Year of Sustainable Tourism Development” campaign “Travel. Enjoy. Respect”. “Travelling opens our minds and...
WYSE Travel Confederation recognised for creating an ‘incredible impact’
WYSE Travel Confederation has been recognised by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and BestCities Global Alliance as a leading example of excellence within the meeting...
Feeling happy or feeling old? You must be travelling
Some say travel is like cheese or wine – it gets better with age. Others say travel is best when you’re young. The question of optimal age for travel was tackled from the perspective of a Millennial...
UK campaigns to send more students abroad
Universities UK International has launched a three-year campaign to increase the number of United Kingdom students studying, working and volunteering abroad for two or more weeks as part of their...
New Horizons survey gathers 57 thousand responses
The fourth edition of the New Horizons global survey of the youth and student traveller has brought in a record-breaking number of responses. More than 57,000 survey responses have been counted, and...
Turkish students eye alternatives to US Universities
Turkish students are exploring the possibility of studying in the UK and Canada following the visa row with the United States, according to recent reports.“I was going to the US with the Work and...
Welcome to our newest member – Steep International Ltd. from Jamaica
Students, Tourists, Educators Exchange Program (STEEP) International is a private non-governmental organisation, designed and established to develop student and youth tourism throughout Jamaica and...
UNWTO: Social media changing destination branding
Ministers of Tourism and private sector leaders meeting at the 9th UNWTO & World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers' Summit agreed that destination branding and the way tourism marketing...
Youth and student travellers age 15 to 29 represent 23% of international tourist arrivals
WYSE Travel Confederation and the World Tourism Organization have together announced an updated estimate of the size of the global youth travel market according to which youth and student travellers...
Latest Backpacker stats from Tourism Research Australia
The latest stats from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) have just been released, these are for the year ending March 2015. In short Australia remains a massively desirable country to visit. Young...
Welcome to our new member Cloudbeds
WYSE Travel Confederation’s new member, Cloudbeds creates browser-based hospitality management software that simplifies the working life of hoteliers. Cloudbeds' award-winning software is trusted...
10 things you might not know about the youth travel market
According to Diego Saez-Gil, Founder of WeHostels and VP at StudentUniverse, even after several years working in the youth travel market he doesn't stop getting surprised by how fascinating this...
Be part of our growth: Alliance Abroad announces recruitment for key senior positions
Alliance Abroad, winner of this year’s Best Work Experience Provider at the Global Youth Travel Awards, is adding several senior positions to its global team to meet the increasing demand for international cultural exchange opportunities.
Thank you and welcome: WYSE 2024 Management Board and Sector Panels
From 1 January 2024, we will be bidding farewell to some of our valued members who served their time on the Management Board and Sector Panels, namely Russ Hedge, Dave Dahl, Carye Duffin and Nick Pound.
Four for 2024
What will define youth travel in the near future? Based on what we hear on the ground and what we see in the data, here are four things that we think the youth travel industry can act on in 2024. 1....
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).