Portrait
Swiss Youth
Hostels
We are a politically and denominationally neutral organisation and as such are active in all areas of the country. We are aware that the local population and the natural environment in the areas in which we operate are crucially important both to us and to our guests. We wish to take the interests of the local population into account as far as possible, as well as respect their independence and culture, and to make every effort to minimise our impact on the environment. We strive for our youth hostels and leisure activities to be environmentally friendly and compatible with nature and the countryside.
Beinwil am See Youth Hostel
Who we are
The Swiss Youth Hostels are a politically and denominationally neutral non-profit organisation with the legal form of a non-profit association.
The Swiss Youth Hostels Association is responsible for operating the youth hostels in Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive network of youth hostels in attractive tourist regions and destinations in all parts of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
The Swiss Youth Hostels are represented by two further independent partner organisations in addition to the Swiss Youth Hostels Association:
- The Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism is the proprietor of the youth hostels (properties) or leases these for use by the Swiss Youth Hostels Association.
- The Foundation for Youth Hostels in Switzerland provides financial support in the form of long-term loans for the construction of youth hostels.
Network Map of the Swiss Youth Hostels
Status April 2023
Saignelégier Youth Hostel (franchise business) opened on 1 April 2022 as part of the Jura Sport & Spa Resort. On 29 July 2022, the St-Luc WellnessHostel opened its doors in Valaisian Val d’Anniviers as a new franchise business. Brienz and Lucerne Youth Hostels were renovated during the winter closure 2021/22. Engelberg Youth Hostel has been run by the Swiss Youth Hostels since 27 November 2022 (previously a franchise). Sion Youth Hostel was closed at the end of November after 32 years. In March 2023, Scudellate Youth Hostel in the Canton of Ticino was opened as a franchise operation.
Lucerne Youth Hostel
What we want
Swiss Youth Hostels want
- to promote quality-oriented, socially responsible and environmentally compatible tourism for young people and families;
- to focus on human relations;
- to live the idea of partnership at all levels;
- to strengthen our image and standing as the most important tourist organisation for young people and families;
- to achieve appropriate business results in order to ensure the ongoing existence of our organisation.
Awards
Because future opportunities in our fast-moving world can only be seized through new ideas, it is our goal to consciously promote innovative thought and action at all levels within our organisation. We support practice-oriented, critical research into tourism, which we view as an important means of providing information that enables us to formulate an integrated and forward-looking policy for our association.
2022 | Niesen Summit | Milestone Special Prize for Sustainability Strategy 2007 |
2021 | ICOMOS Special Prize | Castle Burgdorf Youth Hostel, distinction “Special Award Historic Hotel of the Year 2022” |
2021 | Atuprix Audience Award | Castle Burgdorf Youth Hostel, distinction for Bernese architectural culture |
2021 | Best of ibex fairstay | Pontresina Youth Hostel and Zurich Youth Hostel |
2020 | Best of ibex fairstay | St. Moritz Youth Hostel |
2020 | Switzerland’s Best Employer 2021 | 2nd place in the categories Gastronomy, Tourism, Accommodation, Entertainment and Leisure |
2019 | ICOMOS Switzerland | “Bella Lui” Youth Hostel in Crans-Montana nominated for Historical Hotel of the Year |
2017 | Hostelling International | “The most Sustainable National Association” |
2016 | Swiss Environmental Prize | Special award for long-standing commitment and a valuable contribution to
environmental and climate protection |
2016 | myclimate Award | Distinction as a “Pioneer for integrated climate protection in the hotel industry” |
2016 | Global Youth Travel Awards | Second place in the “Green Accommodation Initiative” area |
2015 | Watt d’Or | wellnessHostel4000 and Aqua Allalin Saas-Fee, Gstaad Saanenland Youth Hostel – winners in the
“Buildings and Space” category |
2015 | Prix Lignum | wellnessHostel4000 Saas-Fee – 3rd place in the “Prix Lignum Wood Award 2015” in the Centre West region |
2014 | Milestone Schweiz | wellnessHostel4000 and Aqua Allalin Saas-Fee – 2nd place in the “Outstanding Projects” category |
2013 | “Good Buildings Award” by the cantons of Basel-City and Basel-Land | Basel Youth Hostel |
2013 | HI-5ives! Awards | Interlaken Youth Hostel “Best Hostel 2013” |
2013 | HI-5ives! Awards | Interlaken Youth Hostel “Most Comfortable Hostel 2013” |
2012 | Holzhandwerk | Award for woodworking; special award for the renovation and expansion of St. Moritz Youth Hostel |
2012 | The 50 best annual reports in Switzerland | Winner in the NPO category |
2011 | ZKB Sustainability Award for SMEs | Distinction for outstanding contribution in the field of sustainable development |
2011 | Swiss Solar Prize | Award in category A “Personalities / Institutions”, for comprehensive environmental management
and a pioneering role in environmentally compatible tourism |
2010 | Award Marketing + Architecture | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel, overall winner |
2010 | Award Marketing + Architecture | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel, special award “Green Technology” |
2010 | Award Marketing + Architecture | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel, winner of “Hotels, Restaurants” category |
2010 | myclimate Award | Distinction for best integration of CO2 compensation |
2008 | Hans E. Moppert Prize | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel for sustainable tourism in the Alps |
2008 | ICOMOS Award | Distinction for Zurich Youth Hostel for its sensitive renovation of a building from the 1960s |
2007 | Milestone. Swiss Tourism Award | Tourism award for sustainability strategy |
1999 | Event Master Award Switzerland | Winner in the “Public Events” category for the 75 events carried out as part of the
anniversary celebrations for “75 years of Swiss Youth Hostels” |
1994 | Goldene Reisekutsche Berlin | Bronze Medal for the basic campaign |
Sustainability
Promoting responsible and sustainable behaviour is an important objective for the Swiss Youth Hostels. Accordingly, already in 1992 our mission statement laid the foundations for a balanced approach regarding our economic, social and ecological activities.
We believe that sustainability means taking into account not only social and ethical issues on a holistic basis, but also the sensible use of resources.
Social aspects
- Prices are set such that services remain affordable whilst nevertheless guaranteeing good quality and fair wages.
- Products and services are designed so that anyone can visit a youth hostel.
- During construction and operation, we not only take into consideration the needs of our guests, but also the consequences for our partners, our neighbours and the destinations.
Economy
- The Swiss Youth Hostels are a non-profit organisation. The services are designed such that sufficient income is generated to ensure continuity for employees and further development potential for the organisation.
Ecology
- Energy consumption and the resulting emissions are leading indicators in all activities of the Swiss Youth Hostels – be it in construction, operation or purchasing.
- We focus particularly on applying sustainability principles along the entire value chain.
All hostels are run using a comprehensive management and quality system and certified with the ibex fairstay label.
ibex fairstay certified hostels
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Platinum | 12 | 12 | 16 |
Gold | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Silver | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Bronze | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
Platinum | 12 | 16 |
Gold | 22 | 19 |
Silver | 5 | 4 |
Bronze | 0 | 0 |
The Swiss Youth Hostels once again demonstrated their outstanding sustainability performance in the ibex fairstay recertifications, which take place every three years. The youth hostels in Basel, Bern, Interlaken, Kreuzlingen, Lausanne, Locarno, Pontresina, Scuol, St. Moritz, Valbella and Zurich once again received the coveted ibex fairstay Platinum Certificate. It is especially gratifying that Grindelwald and Gstaad Saanenland Youth Hostels were able to increases their ratings, thanks to extensive improvements in sustainability and the dedicated commitment of their employees, from gold to the highest level of platinum.
The wellnessHostel4000 in Saas-Fee, opened in 2014, not only retained the platinum standard, but achieved the highest total number of points of all youth hostels and is thus a model example of the winning combination of sustainability and wellness.
The youth hostel in Schaan-Vaduz, Liechtenstein, was also able to enjoy a positive rating after the reopening in 2021 following renovations and also received the platinum award for the first time.
Basel Youth Hostel
