Travel and tourism is one of the biggest industries in the world. It supports jobs. A lot of them. Everywhere. Actually, about 320 million jobs worldwide[1].
Travel and tourism has a proven track record of bringing economic livelihood to places where few other employment opportunities exist, yet its reach goes further than money.
It has always been important for governments to support travel and tourism- a “no-brainer” you might have said pre-Coronavirus. Now, in the face of a global crisis of proportions never fathomed by any of us, government support is crucial. Imperative. A matter of life and death, you might even say.
Findings from WYSE Travel Confederation’s COVID-19 Travel Business Impact Survey indicate that travel and tourism businesses experienced a 60% drop in business in Q1 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Looking ahead to the rest of 2020, respondents expect things to remain the same, with an average 60% drop in business (year on year) anticipated for 2020 overall. UNWTO has arrived at similar estimations for a drop in international travel over the course of 2020. Based on WYSE Travel Confederation’s findings, the estimated decline in international tourism receipts for the youth travel industry would equate to 174 billion euros in 2020.[2]
Twenty-three percent of the world’s international arrivals are young travellers under the age of 30. They are holidaymakers, but they are also international students, au pairs, interns and volunteers abroad, overseas teachers, immersive language learners, backpackers, flashpackers, digital nomads and a lot in between. As the global representative body for the wide range of travel organisations facilitating some 30 million annual international trips for youth travellers, WYSE Travel Confederation is currently both concerned and optimistic about the future of travel and tourism for young travellers and the travel businesses that serve them.
Travel and tourism was an industry growing faster than global GDP. In 2019, the youth travel segment generated tourism receipts for destinations worth approximately USD 330 billion. The extent of travel’s economic and social reach is becoming painfully clear due to the current health-related restrictions on the movement of people across borders near and far.
Government aid is needed to support travel and tourism now and into the near future.
Travel and tourism supports many other industries and structures, including suppliers of many services and products. Travel enables people to explore the world and to make connections in other countries that go further than money. The international cultural understanding that has developed from travel has helped to keep most of the world at peace for 75 years.
Young travellers have been instrumental in fostering international peace through cultural exchange since 1949. The decades of knowledge accumulated by WYSE Travel Confederation point to the crucial social and economic role that young visitors play in tourism. Our research has consistently indicated that young travellers[3]:
- Stay longer and spend more than average tourists
- Attract visiting family and friends to a destination
- Support local businesses by spending with unique and independent providers of accommodation, hospitality, retail goods, and services
- Book tours and activities that provide ‘local’ experience and knowledge of a destination.
Young travellers represent life-time value to destinations through word-of-mouth and return visits later in life. These characteristics represent powerful potential for social and economic recovery for tourism destinations – ones that government and other travel and tourism industry stakeholders should not overlook.
WYSE Travel Confederation is calling on governments to take actions to support the youth, student and educational travel and tourism sector with our 10-Point Youth Travel Recovery Plan:
- Offer easily accessible short- and medium-term credit facilities to help SMEs in the sector with liquidity.
- Implement income protection schemes for both employees and the self-employed within the sector.
- Extend furlough schemes for the sector beyond ‘lockdown’ periods.
- Provide mortgage and rent protection for business premises and protect these organisations from eviction.
- Offer business tax deferments to businesses in the sector.
- Reduce tourism taxes for the sector.
- Re-start the issuing of specialist youth travel visas for future travel.
- Coordination between national governments for future travel.
- Provide the sector with clarity surrounding the re-opening of travel, both domestically and internationally.
- Direct destination marketing spend towards growth in international export of youth travel product.
Again, WYSE Travel Confederation is calling on governments to support the youth, student and educational travel and tourism sector with the financial investments and policies needed to keep hundreds of millions of individuals employed, local economies functioning and people- young and old- travelling and learning about the world.
Once COVID-19 is under control, the free movement of people and travel must become just as valuable as the financial figures that governments invest. Travel and tourism is something we should all support knowing that it will repay us all in peace and prosperity.
For further background information please consult the WYSE Travel Confederation research section and in particular the COVID-19 resources on our website.
David Chapman
Director General
WYSE Travel Confederation
Signatories
Name | Job title | Organisation |
---|---|---|
Russel Hedge | President and CEO | Hostelling International USA |
John Cedergårdh | CEO | STS Education |
Nick Pound | Co-Founder | World Nomads |
Carye Duffin | Vice President, External Relations | CIEE |
Pieter van der Zeeuw | Managing Director | Hans Brinker Hostels |
Patricia Brunner | Managing Director | International Au Pair Association |
Andrew Procter | Managing Director | African Impact |
Alex Thompson | CEO | Legaroo Inc |
Joël Marier | Vice-President | EBI Consulting Group |
Charles-Etienne Bélanger | Director | International Social Tourism Organisation |
David Dahl | President | WISE Foundation |
Barry Harzevoort | Director | Activity International |
Claudia Reichstein | Head of International Programs | DR-WALTER |
Fabio Coppola | CVO | YellowSquare |
Marina Onaca | President | World Wide Cultural Exchange, Inc. |
Katrina Vanderhulst | Executive Vice President | Au Pair International |
Marivi Gracia | CEO | TJT |
Felipe Berdou | CEO | Way Hostel Madrid |
Nick Steiert | CEO | Invasion |
Alison Polden | Language School Event Co-ordinator | University of Kent |
Janine Wegman | Director | Activity International |
Ronaldo Da Silva | CEO | Britannia Student Services |
Etienne Matichard | Director of Sales & Distribution | Accor SA |
Louise Garner | Commercial Director | Clink Hostels |
Murray Roberts | Managing Director | St Christophers Inns |
Nuno Constantino | CEO | Hostels Hub |
Miguel Cruz Santos | Owner | Lisboa Central Hostel |
Diogo Candeias | Manager | Yes Hostels |
Colin Forker | Owner | Reload Partners |
Rui Magro Correia | President | Portugal's Hostels Association |
Bastian Weinberger | CEO | Smaller Earth |
Alex Seigel | Director | The Dragon Trip |
John Ricci | Group Managing Director | J1 Sims |
Jeffrey Laband | CEO | CICD |
Barry Rawlings | Director | EDU Africa |
Manny Soar | Consultant | IASIS |
Andy Barnett | Head of Sales & Network Development | YHA England and Wales |
Colin Fahey | Founder | campusSIMs |
Jose Veiga | CEO | Expresso Viagens |
Wendy Mulligan | Operations Manager | Ondago by ISX |
Craig Whitney | Managing Director | CHE Intercultural Exchange Ltd |
Martin Corr | Managing Director | The Ardmore Group |
Randy LeGrant | President | Academic Language Solutions |
Mikko Koistinen | Chairman | Timetravels Ltd |
Ninad Sharma | CEO | Idex Volunteer and Travel |
Inge Holzmann | CEO | Austrian Youth Hostel Association |
Lucia Viudes Botella | CEO | Travelingua |
Nicoleta-Daniela Ciobanu | Managing Director | CND Management Solutions SRL |
Robin Ingle | CEO | MSH, Ingle International |
Sophie Herbert | Marketing and Sales Director | Beds and Bars |
Philip Cabra Netherton | Managing Director | Euroventure |
Michele Martinez | Vice President of Operations | WWCE |
Saurabh Sabharwal | CEO | Volunteering Solutions |
Alex Mitroi | Operations Director | American Experience |
Stephen Keenan | Director | Saffron Travel |
Andries Bonneur | CEO | Stage-Global |
Sahil Sabharwal | COO | Volunteering Solutions |
Alastair Thomann | CEO | Generator / Freehand Hotels |
Tony Evans | Director | Experio Life |
Marie Claude Saliba | General Manager | Educom Overseas |
James Bell | COO | Alliance Abroad Group |
Rick Carassai | Product Director | Bamba Experience |
Neil Duffy | A.V.P | Sprintax |
Marijke Schreiner | CEO | Stayokay |
Valentina Ciherean | Senior Sourcing and Contract Manager | EF Cultural Tours GmbH |
Elena Shabalovskaya | General Manager | Kazakhstan Council for Educational Travel |
Kelley Burris | President | International Recruitment Exchange Services, Inc. |
Frank Hoerl | Managing Director | HBI Alexanderplatz Hotel Operations GmbH |
Montse Farres | Operations Manager | Bracap Global Tours |
Karen Paschall | Program Manager | The Foundation for Worldwide International Student Exchange |
Heather MacLaren | Managing Director | GeoVisions |
Callum Kennedy | Director | KMCL |
Chiara Francesca Lops | Educational Advisor | WEP Italy |
Jordan Payne | Director of Marketing | InterExchange |
Natalie Broomfield | CEO | The Working Holiday Club |
Paul Sarfati | CEO | Bamba Experience |
Kimberly Carter | Executive Director | Council of Educational Travel |
Stephen Simas | Senior Account Manager | InterExchange |
Lara Farre | New Sales Director | Selina |
Kevin Bergot | Operations Director | Smart Hostels |
Sabina Cox | Sales & Marketing Director | Delphi Resort |
Laura Rose | CEO | Greenheart International |
Jennifer Woodbridge | Regional Director | AAG |
Marc Oliver Schneider | CEO | PractiGo GmbH |
Zydrunas Janusauskas | Co-partner | RT Tax |
Anne Dolan | Co-founder | Clink Hostels |
Michael Massingham | Founder/Director | EDU Africa |
Rogerio Cardoso | Partner | Pumpkintreasure Lda |
Franz Burghoff | Revenue Director | St Christopher's Inns |
Kai Peter Weers | CEO | Pasantias Argentinas |
Vanessa Noel | VP of Strategic Development | Alliance Abroad Group |
Diego Lopez Liza | Director of Operations | Let´s Live USA |
Julius Kalnietis | Program Director | Global Horizons USA |
Pawel Fabisiak | CEO | ITS POLAND |
Matthew Buczek | CEO | International Exchange of North America |
Bernard Fauville | CEO | Les Auberges des Jeunesse - Belgium |
Felipe de la Torre | Executive Presidente | Latin Roots Travel Co. |
Massimo Galimi | Direttore | Roma Scout Center |
Beth Hamilton | CEO | Global Secutive LLC |
Lucía Zenatti | Director of International Programs and Partner Services | Argentina Cultural Exchange |
Corey Kirkham | Managing Director | Moose Run Adventures |
David Knezevic | General Manager | NVO Mladi Putnik |
Phillip Winter | CMO | a&o Hostels |
Oxana Odainic | Executive Director | Center For American Exchange Programs |
Debra Martin | Executive Director | Dynamic Global Exchange |
Chris Stakich | President | Rustic Pathways |
Greg Thomson | CEO | Projects Abroad |
Justine Trembicki | Owner | Freepackers |
Felipe Correa-Jaramillo | CEO | Envoys Inc |
Wesley Maraire | Business Development Executive | Tiritose Sustainable Travel |
Ellen Hoggard | President | STS Foundation |
Nicola Foley | Director | Celtic Group Hostels |
Kevin Morgan | Chairman | GeoVisions Foundation |
Stefania Bresquar | Director | GEO International |
Chris Morisseau | President | Dorms.com |
Ryan Ludden | Associate Vice President | Sprintax |
Wei Soong Wong | Director of Operations | Infinity Abroad |
Alejandro Osorio | Development Director | Viajero Hostels |
Amy Hamilton | Sales Manager | The Learning Adventure |
Nicole Roodenburg | Sales Manager | Ecoleviajes Ecuador S.A. |
Ken Campbell | General Manager | Hostelling International - Banff Alpine Centre |
Roger Charles | President | EBI Consulting |
Marco Coppola | CEO | YellowSquare |
Carsten Herold | CEO and Owner | HEROLÉ-Reisen GmbH |
Wolfgang Graser | Director | Good Hope Studies / Good Hope Volunteers |
Favian Cheng | Managing Partner | Infinity Abroad |
Kevin Watson | Program Director | CETUSA |
Denis Smorchkov | Director General | TravelWorks Group |
Catherin Quirin | Manager | Swiss Hostels |
Anne Meijers | Program Director | Travel Active |
Isabelle Boyer | Deputy Executive Director | HI Canada |
Jane Paterson | Director of Lodging | RED Mountain Resort Lodging |
Amit Sondhi | Founder & Managing Director | AASHA |
Emma English | Executive Director | British Educational Travel Association (BETA) |
Alain Maboge | Finance Director | WEP International |
Federico Scotti | Operation Manager | Ostello Bello SPA |
Seth Leighton | SVP | Envoys |
Gavin Eyre | Chairperson | South African Youth Travel Confederation |
Eric Fontanabianca | Business Development Manager | Astor Hostels |
Julian Lawman | Head of Global Contracting | STA Travel |
Kamilla Silina | Operations and Project manager | Cultural Homestay International |
Joaquim Boadas de Quintana | Secretary General | International Nightlife Association |
Aleida Vereschildt | CEO | Ecoleviajes Ecuador SA |
Marque Haupert | Director of Student Services | United Studies, Inc. Student Exchange |
Marcie Schneider | CEO | Intrax inc. |
Michael Weiss | Co-founder | bitemojo |
Jason Wong | General Manager | HI Calgary City Centre |
Simon Jacobs | General Manager | Auberge Internationale de Québec |
Alistair McLean | CEO | Hostelling International Canada |
Chris Treloggen | Managing Director | Contiki Holidays |
Ryan Murfitt | General Manager | HI Whistler |
Jim Pellegrini | President | Central Overseas Education Services Ltd - Canada |
Lewis Kelly | General Manager | Hostelling International Jasper |
Thomas Areton | Executive Director, Co-founder | Cultural Homestay International |
Fabiana Martilotta | CEO | VIAJEROS SIN FRONTERAS |
Vivian Fearen | President and CEO | Aspect Foundation |
Michele Forchini | COO | Arkè Hostels - Ostelli in Italia |
Libby Law | Director | SWAP Working Holidays |
Peter Jones | President | ACIS |
Shane Pizzariello | Director | HI Canada Atlantic Region |
José Antonio Martínez Beltrán | CFO | Bracap Global Tour |
William J Gustafson | President | ASSE International Student Exchange Programs |
Uwe Regenbogen | CFO | AuPairWorld |
Ellen Weijand | entrepreneur | Travel Inventive |
Desmond Tibby | Community Outreach Coordinator | HI Toronto |
Claudia Aranda | CEO | Au Pair Gloobal |
Travis Pittman | CEO | TourRadar |
Kasey Simon | President and RO | United Work and Travel |
Ann-Kristin Cohrs | Managing Director | AuPairWorld |
Brian Westwood | GM Marketing and Sales | YHA New Zealand |
Arian Cruz | Product coordinator | ISIC |
Daniel Painter | MD | Navigate Travel |
Jack Bowcott | CEO | Goki |
Sara Landriscina | Director | International Experience |
Tiffany Zarrin | Director of Operations | International Trainee Network |
George Finn | Owner's Rep., General manager | HI NYC |
Micki Lalonde | Director of Academic Programs | Cultural Homestay International |
Ilse Ketelsen | Co-owner | HI Rossburn - 9 Finger Ranch |
Henri Parkin | Hostel Manager | True North Hostelling |
Thomas Chudley | General Manager | Invasion Camp Group Ltd |
Paul McGrath | CEO | YHA Australia |
Daniel Bunning | CEO | Base and Nomads Hostels |
Elodie Morvan | Acting Manager | Hostelling International Canada |
Alexey Silin | Operations Manager | Cultural Homestay International |
Joanna Burnet | Director | Australian Working Adventures / Visitoz |
Leslie Zulauf | Director | ISX Canada |
Wendi Aylward | Managing Director | American Institute for Foreign Study (Australia) Pty Ltd |
David Gendle | General Manager Global Sales | Topdeck Travel |
Albert Lee | Executive Director | International Education exchange |
Ramchand Duhlanomal | Chief Executive | MSL Travel Sdn Bhd |
Earl Morgan | Director | Overseas Work and Travel |
Adrian Maarschalk | East Africa Director | EDU Africa |
Ramsay Kerr | Director | The Dragon Trip |
Saskia Wohlgemuth | Travel Services Manager | YHA New Zealand |
Michael Roberge | CEO | RMC | RM Consulting (Thailand) Co., Ltd. |
Gal Mor | Co-founder | Abraham Hostels and Tours |
Pankaj Parwanda | Director | goStops |
John Pastor | Manager | Sydney Urban Adventures |
Alisa Baleva | Director of Operations | UTP Beyond Borders |
Egidijus Budrevicius | President | ZIP Travel |
Aaron Black | CEO | Zip Travel Philippines |
Didier Destexje | Co-founder, Director | WEP International |
Josep Abad | sales manager | TEMPS D'OCI INCOMING |
Roi Porat | Managing Director | Authentic Israel |
Jeanette Staunstrup Christensen | Partner | AlfA Travel |
Rhian Beaton | Head of Revenue | Clink Hostels |
Ruth Franklin | Co Founder | Secret Paradise Maldives |
Juan Pablo Moreno | Financial Director | SHE Herencia |
Oliver Winter | CEO | a&o Hostels |
Leonardo Resende | Sales UK / Benelux | MEININGER hotels |
Fran Brandi | Event Sales Manager | Event Exeter |
Katharine Millar | Sales Coordinator | Event Exeter |
Judith Zeilstra | Sales & Marketing Manager | Hans Brinker Hostel |
Jay Clark | Head of Operations | Busabout |
Sheena Butterworth | Conference Manager | University of Kent |
Elena Plekhanova | Director | InterSTUDY |
Nicoletta Battistini | Sales Manager | Meininger Hotels |
Oliver Lewis | Founder | CheapSleep Helsinki |
Naomi Cullen | Groups Manager | Abbey Court Hostel |
Donal McKenna | Director | Interrailingpackages Ltd |
Douglas Platt | President | BlueStripe |
Luis Jose Ferreiro Moreno | Director | Juventud y Cultura |
Martijn van de Veen | Vice President, Business Development | ICEF |
Bobur Hakimiy | CEO | iWay - Consulting |
Charl Ackermann | Marketing Director | EDU Africa |
Scarlett Kavanagh Dowsett | Regional General Manager | Student Discount Cards Ltd |
Joan Lott Carlsen | Director | ALOTT A/S |
Lorena Smigielska | CEO | Advanced Global Skills |
Cathriona Gibbons | Hostel Sales Manager | Wild Atlantic Hostel @ Delphi Resort |
Johan Scholtz | Managing Director | WTSA Volunteering |
Francis Altena | Head of International Relations | The Green Lion |
Joaquim Capdevila | Managing Director | Bracap Global Tours |
Gregory Bakunzi | CEO | Red Rocks Intercultural Centre |
Rebecca Skevaki | CEO | Athens Urban Adventures |
Kristina Oehler | CEO | ruf Jugendreisen |
Marina Shishko | Program Director | ALT Experience Russia |
Kim Roques | Founder & Director | All Out Africa |
Thomas McArdle | Managing Director | Carlingford Adventure |
Lauren Hammond | Contracts Executive | Euroventure Travel |
Tarun Dara | CEO | The Explorers Lab |
Istvan Beke Szabo | Director | Student Travel |
Alessandro Martello | COO | Anda Venice Hostel |
Andreas Kappeler | Owner | Nyon Hostel SA |
Markus Mueller | COO | Praktikawelten GmbH |
Sakan Begalinov | Director | Opportunity Language School |
Aleksandar Manojlovski | General Manager | ZIP Travel Macedonia |
Entela Maybrook | Executive Director | EBLA |
Emma Willis | Business Development Manager | Warwick Conferences, University of Warwick |
Melissa Torres | President and CEO | The Forum on Education Abroad |
Olivier Joris | CEO and co-founder | WEP International |
Lorenzo Agati | CEO | WEP |
David Scott | Owner | Reggae Hostel |
David Buehler | Managing Director | Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof, Interlaken |
Mariluz Alvarez | Director | Barcelona Pere Tarrés Youth Hostel |
Juan José Ruiz Talaero | Co-Founder/Co-Director | Hispania, escuela de español |
Eva sabater | Managing Director | Travel Work |
Darya Modestova | Director | Global Friends |
Lauren Groves | General Manager | GROUND Asia |
Anne-Françoise Gloria-Tiegnon | Reservations manager | FIAP |
Ninfa Gomez | Director | International Experience |
Heike Fischer | Managing Director | AuPairWorld GmbH |
Jamie Preira | International Programs Manager | Intercultural Outreach Initiative |
Eric van Dijk | Head of Hotels | MEININGER Hotels |
Sam Badans | Manager | Sydney Central YHA |
Casey Hanisko | President | Adventure Travel Trade Association |
Jeff Sasseville | Wilderness Hostel Manager | Hostelling International |
Pranas Bruzga | Director / CEO | Lithuanian World Center for Work Experience and Studies Abroad |
Yami Gong | Program Director | China Service Center for Educational Exchange |
Daniel Nicolson | Director | Cleversteam |
Dave O'Malley | Business Development Manager | World Nomads |
Thomas Hagemann | Chief Operating Officer | MEININGER Hotels |
Moti Erdeapel | Senior BDM | Klook Technology Travel BV |
Melanie Latham | Head of Sales | Selina |
Andrew Ross | Sales Manager | Carlingford Adventure Centre |
Mark Maasdam | CEO | Travel Active | Educational Exchange |
Erion Kosovrasti | CEO | Tandek |
Liesbeth ten Donkelaar | Head of marketing & sales | Stayokay |
Jacky Chiu | Director & GM | Hong Kong Student Travel |
Sophie Bagheri | Business Development Manager | Once Travel |
Ulises Ortega | President | Mundo Joven Travel Shop |
Francis Stivala | Managing Director | National Student Travel Foundation |
Karmini Naidoo | Operations Director | Youth Discovery Programs |
Evgenia Jenkins | CEO | Netizen Group |
Christopher Patterson | Chief / Founder | Jakera SRL |
Boris Samaryanov | General Director | STAR TRAVEL |
Rebecca Paki-Newport | Vice President - Operations | The Air Travel Group |
David O'Kelly | CEO | SANDEMANs NEW Europe |
Samet Karaman | Marketing Manager | Sprachcaffe Languages Plus |
Roland Thorne | Co-Founder | All Out Africa |
Yaron Burgin | CEO | Abraham Hostels & Tours |
Naama Goldman-Shwartz | General Manager | Juha's Guetshouse |
Markus Badde | CEO | ICEF |
Emanuel Kuntzelman | Chairman | Greenheart International |
Steven Mitrevski | General Manager | Ultimate Adventure Travel |
Marianna Varga-Jakó | DOSM | Modern Hostel Property Kft |
Przemyslaw Wojciechowski | VicePresident | Almatur Association |
Jonathan Gilben | Director and Co-founder | GoEco |
Simon Grout | Partnerships Manager | Busabout |
Guillaume Mousset | Marketing Director | FIAP |
Dionne Bultman | Program Manager Au Pair | Travel Active |
Reinhard Bellinghausen | Managing Partner | DR-WALTER GmbH |
Diana Frattini | Head of marketing | WEP |
Darren Barker | CEO | Hostelling International |
Federica Nicolosi | Group Department Coordinator | WEP |
Pieter Bas van Litsenburg | Regional Manager | MEININGER Hotels |
Yolanda Salcedo | Managing Director | Argentina Cultural Exchange |
Percy Raygada | Director | INTEJ |
Suzanne Content | Director of Sales | Stromma Netherlands |
Matthew East | Chairman | International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Association |
Francois Leclerc | VP Brand & Operations | JO&JOE (ACCOR Group) |
Boris Muche | CEO | Wombat's City Hostels |
James Thornton | CEO | Intrepid Travel |
Marco Geraci | CEO | Free Hostels |
Marco Peralta | Manager | Timbuktu Hostel |
Marta Herrero | CMO | Cats Hostels |
Vicki Cunningham | Director | BUNAC |
Robyn Walker | Executive Director | Cenet |
Sebastien Leitner | VP Partnerships | Cloudbeds |
Lize van der Merwe | COO | HLP Travel Solutions |