Essential
market insight
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.
Potential millennial demand for creative tourism experiences – research from South Africa
Creative tourism, or the active participation by tourists in creative activities in the destination, was one of the growth areas for youth tourism identified by WYSE Travel Confederation as far back...
Welcome to our new member – Amistat Hostels
1. Tell us your story. How did Amistat Hostels get started?The origins of Amistat date back to the 2010s, when faced with the opportunity to operate the first large Hostel in New York City, but a...
Welcome to our new member – Alliance Visas
Tell us your story. How did Alliance Visas get started? Alliance Visas began with my personal journey through the immigration process. As I navigated through my own immigration requirements, I...
Five ways to get involved with New Horizons 5
It’s time for the New Horizons 5 survey, our community’s global study of youth and student travel. You can help renew our global understanding of international youth and student travel by getting...
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...
How the travel trends of 2024 are playing out
Recent findings from Mastercard Economics Institute’s Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries Mastercard report and WYSE Travel Confederation’s New Horizons research provide valuable insights into global post-pandemic travel trends.
Leisure Accommodation Collective opens first Drifter property in Christchurch, New Zealand
Drifter Christchurch welcomed its first guests over the weekend, marking the first Drifter location opened by new Australian lifestyle accommodation venture Leisure Accommodation Collective(LA Co).
In Memoriam of Ramchand Duhlanomal
Ramchand’s unwavering loyalty and deep commitment earned him the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege to work alongside him.
LyLo officially debuts in Australia
Australia, say hello to LyLo, a new way to stay! Officially opening today in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, LyLo is a game-changing social travel experience for those on a budget or seeking a more connected experience.
Alliance Strategies expands global reach with acquisition of Stepwest
Alliance Strategies announces acquisition of Stepwest, a prominent Canadian organization specializing in internships and working holiday placements.
Welcome to our new member – Grace International Exchange
Grace International Exchange is a cultural exchange and academic recruiting agency located in the Dominican Republic. It was officially founded by Luis Daniel Matias, a former cultural exchange student and educator in 2021.
Welcome to our new member – ImpacTrip
ImpacTrip is a Social Enterprise, certified as B-Corp, that promotes Volunteer Programs & Responsible Travel Experiences in Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Italy, and Greece.
The Vital Role of Satellite Trackers in Multi-Day Hikes
Adventure tourism is increasingly becoming a core element of many young people’s travel experiences.
Identity theft: Identity protection tips for travellers
According to the Identity Theft Resource Centre, incidences of identity theft have been on the rise since 2005, with a staggering 353 million victims compromised in 2023 alone.
Respecting boundaries and understanding Age of Consent laws in the US
As students begin their journey in the United States, it is important they feel safe and supported during their stay.
Brexit’s Impact: UK’s loss, Ireland’s gain – so how can our business respond?
Brexit has unquestionably reshaped the landscape of student travel between the EU and the UK.
Welcome to our new member – Internships Worldwide
At Internships Worldwide, our mission is to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world professional experience by connecting students with valuable internship opportunities across many different industries.