NEWSLETTER
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MAY 20, 2010
A MESSAGE FROM THE STAY WYSE CHAIRMAN Dear STAY WYSE members and colleagues, The year started with the development of the STAY WYSE online community. In particular our Linked In group is discussing some important industry topics. I invite all of you to participate in our group discussions, to share your best practices and access expertise, to help your business and improve sector standards. The STAY WYSE website is being constantly developed and updated. We have a new resources page and events page. Please take a look at it and let us know your feedback. STAY WYSE will also shortly be launching the annual Industry Benchmark Study, the findings of which will be presented at our AGM in Beijing. I urge you all to complete the study. Working as a team on this, will allow us to develop a strong community of benefit to us all.
CONTENTS A message from the STAY WYSE Chairman The launch of the 2009 Benchmark Study 2010 WYSTC Conference Join STAY WYSE in Beijing Join the STAY WYSE online network STAY WYSE Sustainability Index Green Globe Initiative New STAY WYSE Members
Ulises Ortega - STAY WYSE Chairperson
THE YOUTH TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION INDUSTRY BENCHMARK STUDY 2009 Once again STAY WYSE is embarking on the industry’s annual global youth travel accommodation (YTA) benchmark study. The study will enable youth travel accommodation operators to benchmark their own business performance characteristics against global standards in order to develop strategic concepts and optimize business outcomes. We would like to invite you to participate in this important industry survey. Click here to start the study and to gain the benefits of completing it. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to email STAY WYSE.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2008 STAY WYSE STUDY TREND TOWARDS PRIVATE ROOMS AND EN-SUITE CONTINUES • The average number of beds per room declined to 2.9 beds per room, underlining the trend towards m o r e p r i v a t e r o o m s i n Yo u t h Tr a v e l Accommodation (YTA) establishments. • En-suite facilities were provided in 57% of YTA rooms. Europe and Asia have the highest proportion of en-suite rooms, whereas Oceania and Africa tend to have more dorm accommodation and the fewest en-suite facilities.
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OCCUPANCY RATES REMAINED BUOYANT • The average occupancy rate reported by youth travel accommodation providers was just over 48% in 2009, 2% higher than the occupancy rate reported in 2008. ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND SOURCES OF REVENUE • Whilst the sale of beds accounted for over three-quarters of the reported revenue, food and beverage sales combined accounted for 15% of total revenue.
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New Association Manager Laura Daly
STAY WYSE Board
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Chairperson
Mr Ulises Ortega Mundo Joven Mexico
Board Members Carmel Dunne Hostelworld Ireland Mikael Hansson Hostelling International United Kingdom David Chapman International Students House United Kingdom Steve Lowy Umi Hotels United Kingdom Murray Roberts St Christopher’s Inn United Kingdom John Dickson Hostelling International United Kingdom
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NEWSLETTER MAY 20, 2010
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JOIN STAY WYSE AT THE WYSTC 2010
II WYSTC 2009 Attendees
739
Countries
66
First timers
99
Business
Appointments
4898
This year’s World Youth & Student Travel Conference will take place in Beijing, China from 17-20 October. As the most important trade event of the year for the global youth, student and educational travel industry, this conference will expose you to a network of senior level executives that you won’t find anywhere else. WYSTC is a packed three and a half days of sector-specific seminars and networking events, trade exhibitions, business appointments and association meetings. Some events run concurrently, allowing you to schedule your day as you see fit - choose which sessions to attend and book appointments in advance so no time is wasted. You’ll meet industry professionals who share the same target audience, giving you the opportunity to form new partnerships and expand your business offering. Gain insider knowledge of new market opportunities, learn from industry experts and influence government policy makers. It's all happening at WYSTC 2010!
THE STAY WYSE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, BEIJING 2010 The STAY WYSE 2010 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place during WYSTC Beijing. During the AGM, STAY WYSE members will be asked to ratify new members, conduct association business and additionally it is an opportunity for the membership to discuss issues of importance to the YTA industry. Furthermore, members will hear a report on Association Activities and will be presented with the 2009 Benchmark Study findings. The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to contribute to our strategic vision and to have a say on the priorities of the STAY WYSE Association. It provides the membership with the opportunity to meet the STAY WYSE Board of Directors and develop STAY WYSE policy. We invite all STAY WYSE members to join us at the 2010 Annual General Meeting at WYSTC, Beijing.
JOIN THE STAY WYSE ONLINE NETWORK
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What better way to stay informed about new developments within the YTA sector, discuss ongoing industry issues and develop your professional network than joining the STAY WYSE members’ Linked In group? Current discussions include: “How much support are you getting from your local tourism body and do they show an understanding of the whole youth sector and the benefits it brings to the entire tourism sector?” Follow STAY WYSE tweets on our Twitter feed and become a fan of STAY WYSE on Facebook!
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NEWSLETTER
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MAY 20, 2010
GREEN GLOBE SUSTAINABILITY INDEX Are you a youth hostel or accommodation provider wishing to improve your green credentials? Confused about which of the 300+ sustainable index brands to choose from worldwide? The STAY WYSE association has teamed up with the Green Globe Sustainability Index, one of the most recognisable, international green certificates, to launch a simple and practical programme specifically for youth hostels worldwide. In contrast to conventional and expensive certificate programmes, the STAY WYSE Sustainable Index supports the green ambitions of hostels and members by providing interactive online guidance. So, there’s no need for on-site inspections or high fees.
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Participants of the scheme fill in an interactive online questionnaire which assesses their sustainability performance, providing measurement and benchmarking guidelines for hostels and their respective supply chains. This is done on a continuous basis, enabling participants to constantly rate, improve and promote their eco-friendliness.
to contribute by switching off lights and turning off the heating whenever they leave their rooms. These measures helped all thirty Stayokay hostels become the first tourist accommodation chain in Europe to be awarded the European Eco-label, a European seal of approval in recognition of businesses marketing environmentally friendly products and services.
WELCOMING A NEW STAY WYSE MEMBER
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STAY WYSE would like to welcome hostelbookers.com as their newest member! Hostelbookers is an independent booking site, with youth hostels and budget accommodation providers in over 2,500 destinations worldwide. Know a YTA provider who’s not yet a member? Refer them to STAY WYSE and receive 10% discount on your 2011 membership when they are approved. Email STAY WYSE for more info.
INTRODUCING THE NEW STAY WYSE ASSOCIATION MANAGER
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
We a re v e r y p l e a s e d t o welcome Laura Daly, our new S TAY W Y S E A s s o c i a t i o n Manager. Laura joins us from Ghana where she was the Managing Director for the International Foundation, Ikando which provides volunteer & intern programmes for young people.
At Stayokay Hostels in the Netherlands, all waste is segregated, power is green, printed materials are recyclable, the coffee is fair trade, and bicycle hire is in demand. Guests are asked
Her hands-on experience running the Ikando centre in Accra as a youth hostel, when not occupied by programme participants, will be of particular of interest to STAY WYSE members. We know Laura’s entrepreneurial vision will be a perfect fit with the STAY WYSE community.
Interested? The STAY WYSE Association has negotiated a special member rate for youth accommodation providers. To find out more please contact STAY WYSE Association Manager.
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SUBMIT AN ARTICLE If you would like to submit an article for the next edition of the STAY WYSE Newsletter, please send your materials and articles to the STAY WYSE Association Manager no later than Friday, July 11th 2010. Let us know about developments in your organisation, what’s been happening in your country, changes in legislation, and issues of concern. We want to hear from you! Contact the STAY WYSE Secretariat for further details.
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