Corporate governance
Principles of corporate governance
Thanks to our national and international partnerships, we offer real added value for everyone. We make a difference by developing ideas together and pursuing common goals. We present our beliefs, goals and results to the public in a transparent and thorough manner.
Brugg Youth Hostel
The Corporate Governance guidelines of the Swiss Youth Hostels consist of the Articles of Association, the organisational regulations (OGR), the Code of Conduct (CoC) and the regulations of the Employee Committee. These form the basis for effective and efficient governance, which is guided by the specifications of the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance.
The accounting complies with the professional recommendations on accounting (Swiss GAAP ARR) and gives a true and fair view of the financial position, the cash flows and the results of operations. The Executive Board and the Management Team have instituted internal precautions in order to ensure conformity of the organisation’s annual accounts with the applicable financial reporting requirements and to ensure proper reporting. A functioning system of controls is implemented internally.
Bodies of the association
As of 1 April 2025
Hostel managers (own hostels)
Adamer Andrea, Mariastein | Anthamatten Chantal, Saas-Fee | Ashenafi Nathnael, Zurich | Bouffey Philippe, Lausanne | Brogle Tanja, Sils im Domleschg | Burgener Theres, Leissigen | Casanova Nadia, Davos | Chauvet Charlie, Avenches | Doré Grégory, Avenches | Egli Esther, Locarno | Fahni Doris, Beinwil am See | Forestier Alexandra, Montreux | Frenkel Jan, Valbella | Gabathuler Heinrich, Burgdorf | Gänger Florian, Bern | Häntschel Tim, Saanen-Gstaad | Jurscha Nastasia, Kreuzlingen | Käser Martin, Fällanden | Klein Lukas, Grindelwald | Koch Adrian, Schaan-Vaduz | Koch Isabelle, Schaan-Vaduz | Köppe Mario, Brienz | Krehhahn Stefanie, Laax | Krezdorn Saba, Brugg | Marti Daniel, Richterswil | Meinhardt Sirko, Schaffhausen | Milani Clément, Delémont | Moret Anouk, Martigny | Müggler Claudine, Baden | Müller Tanja, Richterswil | Müller Tobias, St. Moritz | Oertel Heike, Pontresina | Oswald Lionel, Montreux | Palme Sabine, Zug | Pecoraro Lorena, Zermatt | Penwell Christoph, Rapperswil-Jona | Penwell Michelle, Rapperswil-Jona | Rähmi Patrick, Stein am Rhein | Sadiku Bekim, Lucerne | Scherler Andrea, Bern | Sigrist Pascal, Davos | Truttmann-Burckhardt Daniela, Seelisberg | Unternährer Delia, Zermatt | Urbanski Isabel, Engelberg | Warnke Mandy, St. Gallen | Westerlaken Yvonne, Scuol | Wettstein Tobias, Basel | Wildhaber Nadia, Locarno | Witschi Nicolas, Crans-Montana | Wittwer Orlando, Solothurn | Zürcher Ulrich, Interlaken
Employee Committee
The Employee Committee represents the interests of all employees to the CEO and the Executive Board.
Christen Nicole, Sales Manager | Krezdorn Saba, Hostel Manager Brugg Youth Hostel | Mächler Lucia, Operations Assistant, Burgdorf Castle Youth Hostel | Zürcher Ulrich, Hostel Manager Interlaken Youth Hostel (President)
Elected until 31 December 2025
Management Team
The Management Team is the management of the Swiss Youth Hostels. The members are appointed by the Executive Board. The CEO heads the Management Team. The Director Operations is their deputy. The Management Team is responsible for implementing the idealistic and strategic goals defined by the Executive Board. It defines the operative goals and monitors their achievement.
Bunte Janine, CEO, Chair of Management Team (from 01/01/2019) | Unger Thomas, Director Operations, Deputy CEO (from 01/12/2023) | Gilgen Corina, Director Sales (from 1/9/2023) | Eisele André, Director Marketing & Communication (from 1/9/2019) | Walter Laura, Director Finance & Controlling (from 01/08/2021)
Executive Board
The Executive Board is the highest management body and is chosen by the assembly of delegates for a term of four years. The members can be re-elected, but are subject to a restriction of tenure of 12 years. It consists of a total of at least 8 to a maximum of 12 members. The Board defines the strategic direction and monitors operational performance.
Gallo Mathias (from 29/11/2019) | Juon Gian Marco (from 06/03/2020) | Kulcsár Thomas (from 6/4/2018) | Reutlinger Frank (from 23/11/2018) | Schneuwly Yves (from 23/09/2022) | Tauber Gomez Stephanie (from 23/09/2022) | Wyss Andreas (from 25/09/2021) | Züllig Nico (from 23/09/2023)
Chairmanship
Reutlinger Frank, President (from 15/06/2019) | Kulcsár Thomas, Vice President (from 01/10/2023)
Elected until 31 December 2027
Audit Committee
Wyss Andreas, Chairman | Kulcsár Thomas | Schneuwly Yves
Elected until 31 December 2025
Steering Committee
Reutlinger Frank, Chairman | Gallo Mathias | Juon Gian Marco | Wyss Andreas
Elected until 31 December 2025
Delegates
The members choose 20–80 delegates for four years. Their powers include modification of the Articles of Association, ratification of the annual report, approval of the actions of the bodies, election of members of the Executive Board, President and statutory auditors, as well as nomination of honorary members.
Elected until 31 December 2027
Avesani Giancarlo, Melano | Bianchin Patricia, Neuchâtel | Bislin Ursina, Zurich | Bollhalder Rolf, Teufen | Burgherr Delia, Zurich | Bürgisser Lucio, Zurich | Buschor Trudi, Moosseedorf | Denzler Corinne, Rotkreuz | Flepp Anna Tina, Chur | Fricke Marco, Niederlenz | Fuchs Edwin, Zollikon | Fuchs Michel, Zollikon | Furger Christine, Arlesheim | Furrer Daniel, Lucerne | Giacomazzi Agnese, Manno | Giacomazzi Gaia, Zurich | Gisler Alfred, Lucerne | Gruber Chiara, Zurich | Gruber Vanessa, Zurich | Gruber Veronika, Gelterkinden | Haag-Lochmann Helen, Hirzel | Haefeli Lukas, Zurich | Haug-Kern Esther, Zurich | Haug Tobias, Zurich | Hauri Michael, Stäfa | Hauri Susanne, Stäfa | Item-Uhlemann Janine, Untervaz | Jenni Noemi, Zurich | Keller-Giovanon Helene, Ossingen | Koch Isabelle, Schaan | Liechti Nina, Grosshöchstetten | Lutz Béatrice, Birsfelden | Meier Nicole, Zurich | Meyer Stefan, Arbon | Ming Pascal, Unterägeri | Montandon Jonathan, Zurich | Mottier André, Ste-Croix | Müller Karin, Bonstetten | Müller Tim, Bonstetten | Palme Sabine, Zug | Ramsperger Rolf, Neuhausen am Rheinfall | Renggli Tobias, Buchrain | Riedo Stephanie, Zurich | Rodriguez Simon, Rüschlikon | Rutz Theresia, Winterthur | Schoch-Sutter Carmen, Märstetten | Schuler Claudia, Valbella | Schwyter-Faist Yolanda, Zezikon | Senn Annemarie, Volketswil | Städler-Bischof Esther, Wattwil | Steiger Thomas, Muttenz | Steinmann Rolf, Cham | Störi Thomas, Muttenz | Straubhaar Sarah, Neuchâtel | Straubhaar Tina, Lausanne | Strehler René, Zurich | Strehler Tim, Zurich | Streuli Cornelia, Steinhausen | Surber Sébastien, Aadorf | Thut Tobias, Kriens | Uhlemann Luzia, Untervaz | Vogel Manon, Hinwil | Volkart Kerstin, Zurich | Weber Kathrin, Bischofszell | Witschi Nicolas, Crans-Montana | Zürcher Eva, Gonten
Auditing body
Bommer + Partner Treuhand, Bern
Is elected every year by the assembly of delegates.
Honorary members
Kern Jack, Zurich | Kurmann Stephan, Hirzel | Lüdi Heinz, Effretikon | Müller Christoph, Bonstetten | Wälle Robert, Lucerne
Remuneration of committees
Delegates
Work as a delegate of the Swiss Youth Hostels is on a voluntary and honorary basis and is not compensated financially. Any resulting actual expenses are reimbursed.
Every year, delegates receive 21 accommodation coupons allowing free usage of youth hostels operated by the Swiss Youth Hostels Association.
Executive Board
The members of the Executive Board provide their services based on the corporate governance guidelines for non-profit organisations in Switzerland, the Swiss NPO code and other relevant regulations on a voluntary and honorary basis. The work of the Executive Board is not compensated. Any resulting actual expenses are reimbursed. For their voluntary activities, the members of the Executive Board receive 42 accommodation coupons every year that allow free visits to own youth hostels. If the President or a member of the Executive Board performs more than 100 hours of voluntary work within one calendar year, they are entitled to compensation for every further hour.
In 2024, the President and members of the Executive Board worked 526 hours (prior year: 587), 352 (prior year: 418) of which were non-remunerated.
Remuneration in the form of fees and reimbursement of expenses in the amount of CHF 44,072 (prior year: CHF 44,489) was paid out. Of this sum, CHF 25,053 was attributable to the President (prior year: CHF 25,194).
Auditing body
In 2024, fees for auditors amounted to CHF 40,010 (prior year: CHF 39,600).
Risk assessment
In risk management, various risks which affect the Swiss Youth Hostels are taken into account. A comprehensive risk inventory is continuously updated and the risks assessed according to their probability of occurrence and their possible impact. An internal risk report is drawn up in addition.
The risk situation in 2024 was heavily influenced by the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as these could negatively impact demand from foreign guests and price developments, particularly in the energy sector. The major risks identified for the Swiss Youth Hostels lay in the areas of market environment and demand, liquidity, the shortage of skilled workers and cyber criminality. If possible, major risks are minimised or covered with risk-limiting measures. Control mechanisms are in place to constantly monitor the measures taken as well as their effectiveness. Despite many increased risks, the Swiss Youth Hostels were able to generate a positive annual result and further strengthen the organisational capital.
The careful selection of suppliers is very important for the Swiss Youth Hostels. It was ensured at all times that, as far as possible, local suppliers could be taken into account and that these comply with the high standards of the Swiss Youth Hostels in the areas of ecology and social values. Among other things, a new partnership was entered into with NIKIN in the reporting year to equip the employees in the youth hostels with sustainable, individually embroidered tops (employee clothing).
In accordance with the Ordinance on Due Diligence and Transparency in relation to Minerals and Metals from Conflict-Affected Areas and Child Labour (221.433), suppliers are audited annually. No reasonable suspicion of child labour has been identified in the supply chain and the Swiss Youth Hostels are therefore exempt from due diligence and reporting obligations in line with the Ordinance.
