Hostelling International USA history

In 1936, FDR was made the honorary president of the American Youth Hostels, and he famously remarked that hostels are “far better than schools” and that they give “the best education (he’s) ever had.”

American Youth Hostels newsletter, 1941 May 8

1952: International standards were adopted.

So, in 1954, the first hostel owned by an association was founded in Indiana.

AYH purchased its first hostel in Pennsylvania in 1961, setting the stage for other nationally owned facilities.

With the celebration of the 200th foundation anniversary of the US, the AYH developed the first major urban hostel in Washington, DC. In 1969, the project gained the support of politicians and celebrities like Loretta Young.

1977: Global overnights reached 500 million a year.

When you consider that the first concept of Sustainable Development was published in 1987 by UN (Bruntland Report), our mission has always been at the forefront of sustainability, combining nature protection, education and economy.

A strategic plan adopted in 1994 set an ambitious vision of developing hostels in major cities and offering programs nationwide.

1997: Over 1 billion overnights were reached.

So, HI-USA created programs such as “Opening Doors, Opening Minds” and the promotion of more extensive cultural exchange in 2002.

2006: The organization renamed itself to Hostelling International

2009: The centennial anniversary of the global network.

To learn more about the AYH’s involvement in and the cultural history of bicycling keep an eye out for the anticipated 2018 publication of Boston’s 20th Century Bicycling Renaissance: Cultural Change on Two Wheels by Lorenz J. Finison.

Wild Rover hostel ArequipaWhat is a party hostel?15/10/2019 - 07:35