This year the Youth Hostel celebrates its 100th year anniversary. All over the world activities are planned to celebrate the anniversary.

100th Anniversary

Activities worldwide

Anniversary Activities worldwide

Historic hostellingFind out more about 100 years of hostelling and take part in Hostelling International's 100th Anniversary Competition.






All over the world activities are planned to celebrate the anniversary:

World heritage hostels webpage
Canada, 01 February - 31 December 2009
There are approximately 1200 hostels in or near the 878 World Heritages Sites recognized by UNESCO. This project aims to develop a web site where visitors can share their photos or stories linked to world heritages experiences. The objective is to build a virtual community around the future network of hostels in World Heritage Sites.

Open Doors programme in 6 Croatian hostels
Croatia, 01 February - 30 June 2009
Open Doors programme will be specifically designed for schools, sport clubs and non-governmental organisations. The 6 hostels participating will offer guided tours, presentations about the hostel movement and also promote tolerance and respect as stated in Hostelling International’s mission.

Photo and Video Contests!
USA, 01 May - 30 August 2009
Give HIUSA your best shot and they just might send you packing… On a hostelling adventure that is. Find out more.

Win 100 Days Down Under
Australia, 01 May - 30 June 2009
One lucky traveller will score a trip down under, including 100 nights’ accommodation in YHA hostels around Australia, transport and more. Backpackers from around the world are encouraged to visit and submit a video illustrating what they’d pack in their bag for 100 days down under.
Find out more.

Charity Trek: Donard Blazing Trails 2009
Northern Ireland, 06 June 2009
Hostelling International Northern Ireland (HINI) is pioneering a trek on Saturday 6 June 2009 at Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland. Participant will support a good cause and also be rewarded with spectacular views of stunning natural beauty. The money raised from the event will be used to support the physical and mental well-being of young people in Northern Ireland. Find out more.

Promoting hostelling to over 10 000 young people
Morocco, 26 June - 26 August 2009
The objective of this activity is to promote youth hostels through education and awareness among 10 000 young people in holiday villages on the north Atlantic coast and middle Atlas mountain region. The educational activities will be performed by a team of trained locals co-ordinators and they will also have newly developed educational and promotional material to hand out.

Peace and understanding between youth groups in a troubled area of Bolivia
Bolivia, 09 - 12 July 2009
A new rural hostel will open in Camiri, Bolivia 9-12 July 2009. At the time of the opening, indigenous groups from different tribes as well as civil youth student groups from “white”-migrated regions will be invited to a full 4 day program. The overall objective is to create peace and better understanding between youth groups from different parts of the Bolivian society.

Introducing Singapore to young people in the Asia and Pacific region
Singapore, 15 - 19 July 2009
The objective of this activity is to introduce Singapore’s rich diversity in culture and place of interest and at the same time enhance cultural understanding between to young people from different countries in the Asia and Pacific region. Participants will stay at different hostels during this 4 day event that will take place 15–19 July.

Youth exchanges programmes in France
France, 31 July - 28 August 2009
The French hostelling association FUAJ is arranging 5 different youth exchange programs located in different hostels around France. The hostels are Annecy YH, Lyon YH, Brive-La-Gaillarde YH, Nantes YH and La Rochelle YH. The topics include respect and understanding, world cultural heritage, nature photography in an urban environment, peace through civilization and harbour life in La Rochelle.

Cultural Youth Event in YH Zadar
Croatia, 01 - 31 August 2009
During the whole of August, a rich cultural programme will be offered in the biggest Croatian hostel, YH Zadar. It will focus on introducing the cultural heritage of different minorities living in Croatia using the universal language of music and pictures. The event will include concerts and exhibitions by young artists and performers. YH Zadar will also host two international youth camps in August gathering participants from several countries.

Youth exchanges in Eastern Europe
Bosnia & Herzegovina, 07 - 09 August 2009
This is an event joining hostel associations in 8 Eastern Europe countries: Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Lithuanian and Slovenia. The event will take place in the newest hostel in the region, YH Igman in Sarajevo. 3 groups of participants will be invited: official representatives from national associations, young journalists and young volunteers. The programme includes cultural exchanges, workshops, guided tours and much more.

Height of adventure on mountain bike and motorcycle
India, 15 - 31 August 2009
This adventure programme is organised to celebrate the 100th anniversary of hostelling. 100 cyclists on mountain bikes will undertake about 525 Kilometres in challenging mountain terrain, including climbing Tanglang La Pass (5359 Metres). Also starting from Delhi Youth Hostel, 100 motor cyclists will head for the mountains and the Khardungla Pass (5606 Metres), the highest motor able road of the world. Find out more.

HI 100 Asia-Pacific Youth Rally
Thailand, 21 - 27 August 2009
The HI 100 Asia-Pacific Youth Rally in Thailand will take place 21–27 August 2009. 4 participants, aged less than 30 years, from each HI association in the region will be invited. The theme of the rally will be Cultural Exchange & Diversity and there will be a special program for international participants to interact with local Thai people and each other in traditional Thai experiences.

Interactive multimedia desktop screen for Altena Castle
Germany, 22 August 2009
The first youth hostel worldwide was established at Altena Castle in Germany. The castle still offers accommodation for hostellers and there is also a museum on the grounds. One of the new museum features during the anniversary year will be an interactive desktop screen with a touch sensitive surface allowing visitors to playfully go on a virtual journey through a century of youth hostels.

Anniversary Open Houses
USA, 23 - 30 August 2009
Anniversary Open Houses at hostels across the United States are planned for the week of August 23 – 30 August to introduce communities to hostelling. Find out more.

World Youth Unity Seminar
Egypt, 24 - 26 August 2009
A 3 day seminar will be arranged in Egypt to highlight the 100th anniversary. The seminar will cover the history, philosophy, present status and future of the international hostel movement. During the seminar, all hostels will have open days for local young people. At the end of the seminar there will be a big party attended by local and international guests.

Sydney Harbour YHA time capsule
Australia, 26 August 2009
In late 2009, a new hostel will open in Sydney, Australia. The Sydney Harbour YHA will be built on a key archaeological site, also including an interpretive “Big Dig” Archaeology Education Centre. On 26 August 2009, a multi-cultural group of school children will seal a time capsule for future generations. Items to be included are photos, magazines, drawings and screen grabs from web pages.

100 years worldwide and 10 years in Romania
Romania, 24 - 26 September 2009
In Romania, the 100th anniversary of the hostelling is coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the national association. To celebrate both anniversaries, a 3 day event will take place at Kallos Hostel, Rascruci 24-26 September. The event will include culture experience such a folk music concerts and dances, debates about hostelling in the 21st century, photo exhibitions, handcraft workshops and much more.

Find out more about 100 years of hostelling and take part in Hostelling International's 100th Anniversary Competition.



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