Travel is a potent force for broadening cross cultural understanding. Hostels provide access to affordable travel, and enable young people to forge relationships across borders and to better understand the diverse and inter-connected world we live in.

4. Young independent travelers self identify as “not a tourist” Tourist 23% Traveler 46% Backpacker 25% Other 6% Source: WYSE Travel Confederation

5. Purpose of recent main trip Explore other Places/cultures 34% Relax & have fun 28% Work abroad 7% Language Course 2% Source: WYSE Travel Confederation Volunteering 3% Study abroad 9% Visit friends & Relatives 17%

6. Hostel user interests Source: HI-USA Market Survey Project 5.14 8. Sports events 5.85 7. Welcome reception 6.05 6. In house movie 6.09 5. Pub night 6.30 4. International exchange/cultural activity 6.47 3. Travel discussions with other guests 6.67 2. Music/theater events 7.68 1. Free tour of city Mean

7. Importance of socializing Strongly agree 32% Agree 43% Disagree 4% Strongly disagree 1% Source: HI-USA Market Survey Project Neither agree nor disagree 20%

8. Youth tourism accounts for about 20% of all international arrivals …. Source: World Tourism Organization WYSE Travel Confederation … and about $136 billion worldwide tourism receipts Int’l arrivals

12. HI-USA mission To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.