A Brief History of Hostel Service

The origins of youth hostelling can be traced back to Germany in the opening decades of this century. It was here that a schoolteacher, Richard Schirrmann, first had the idea of utilizing classrooms as makeshift dormitories during the holidays to accommodate groups of children travelling on foot around the country under the supervision of a teacher.

These early "hostels" were indeed spartan with the children sleeping on simple straw filled mattresses laid out on the classroom floor from which desks and forms had been temporarily removed.

The first year round hostel was opened in 1912 in a restored castle at Altena in Germany. In subsequent years further historic buildings were converted for hostel use and from the 1920s modern purpose-designed hostels began to be constructed in ever increasing numbers principally in rural areas but on occasion in city centres commencing with that in Munich in 1927.

From these early beginnings in Germany, the concept of youth hostel was enthusiastically taken up by other countries in Western Europe in the late 1920s and 1930s. Thereafter, following the Second World War, the movement spread rapidly around the world as increased leisure time and a greater awareness of the joys of travel and the countryside became widespread.


About IYHF

The movement's coordinating body is now the United Kingdom based International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF), an international non-profit making organization that is recognized by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization. Over 60 individual, national Youth Hostel Associations including our own Hong Kong based YHA are affiliated to this umbrella organization.

At its most basic the IYHF aims to provide, partly through a centralized computer booking system, friendly and safe accommodation at an affordable price at any of the more than 4,500 hostels run by its affiliated member organizations.

Accommodation, at its simplest, may consist of no more than a bare bothy or mountain top refuge to which hostellers must bring all their necessities including food, water, means of lighting and, not least, a warm sleeping bag. At the other extreme, the newest city centre hostels such as that at Sydney Central in Australia, offer luxurious hotel type accommodation with private en suite facilities in the majority of rooms.

YHA membership is open to all regardless of sex, class, colour or religious belief. The emphasis upon friendly informality is very much in evidence in all hostels and friendship are easily made as members exchange their travel experiences whilst preparing their evening meal in the communal kitchens or when relaxing over a mug of cocoa in the lounge before retiring to bed. Many of the larger hostels also provide members with a restaurant service, bar, games and TV rooms, laundry, travel and fax facilities.

The majority of hostels are open around the year but smaller hostels in rural areas may restrict access during part of the day to allow the resident warden time off from his duties.


IYHF Website: http://www.hihostels.com