STAY WYSE Annual Report final · The STAY WYSE Board have discussed the restructure proposal, and...

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STAY WYSE

Photo credit: Clink 78

STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction p2

Message from the Chair p3

Planning for the Future p4

Governance p5

Research and Education p7

Self Certification p8

Meet the Member p9

Member Photography p9

Membership p10

Communications p12

Trading & Networking p12

Outlook 2016 p13

JOIN THE STAY WYSE COMMUNITY

+31 20 421 2800 | [email protected]

Keizersgracht 174‐176 | 1016 DW | Amsterdam | The Netherlands

Title: Beyond the Bed | Published: September 2015 | Published by: STAY WYSE

COPYRIGHT © 2015 STAY WYSE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The copyright for the design and content of this publication is owned by STAY WYSE. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, by any means – electronic, photocopying or otherwise – without the written

permission of STAY WYSE. Members of STAY WYSE may distribute this publication within their organisation.

To request permission contact [email protected] or call +31 (0)20 421 2800.

Disclaimer: The presentation of material in this publication and the designations used do not express the opinions of authors, but

represent the results of primary research. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, STAY WYSE

cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions.


Introduction

STAY (Safe Travel Accommodation for Youth) WYSE Association is the global forum and trade association for organisations

involved in youth travel accommodation. The Association was formed in 2006 by the world’s leading youth travel

accommodation providers to represent the entire global Youth Travel Accommodation (YTA) sector.

STAY WYSE is the only not‐for‐profit industry association bringing together the diverse segments of this significant multi‐

billion dollar industry. The association works to provide much needed support and representation for one of the youth

travel industry’s fastest growing markets.

Our mission is to create a voice and forum of both ‘official’ and ‘independent’ providers of safe, affordable and clean

accommodation in a communal atmosphere to encourage youth mobility.

Image Courtesy of Amistat Beach Hostel


MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

2015 has seen the launch of a number of new initiatives

designed to re‐focus on the core mission of STAY WYSE,

strengthen the benefits for members and raise the

profile of the STAY WYSE community in the broader

industry.

The provision of safe accommodation for young people

lies at the very heart of the STAY WYSE organisation.

The 2015 introduction of a Self Certification system for

STAY WYSE accommodation provider members creates a

set of minimum standards of safety and quality for

consumers as well as establishment staff. The STAY

WYSE logo is a mark of quality and a sign of adherence

to the STAY WYSE objectives, and it is intended that the

Certification system becomes a means of raising the

profile of STAY WYSE properties among youth travellers

and the industry as a whole.

The launch of the Meet the Member section on the STAY

WYSE website has put a face to the youth travel

accommodation industry. Interviews with our members

from across the globe has provided valuable insights into

the hostel operations of our members, along with

challenges and trends being faced within the

community, locally and internationally. To learn what

different operators and organisations are doing,

particularly in the social responsibility and environment

fields, has been particularly inspiring and encouraging,

while also giving valuable visibility and profile to our

members.

STAY WYSE also continues to channel energy into its

education and research programme, as well as

networking and trading opportunities. The Industry Flash

Survey series provides insight into a number of topical

issues within the industry and the revision of the Hostel

Start‐up Guide offers valuable information to those

looking to enter the sector. STAY WYSE continues to

attend industry events including WYSTC and ITB Berlin,

to raise the profile of the Association while

simultaneously providing valuable opportunities for

members to engage in networking and trading within

the youth and student travel community.

With respect to Governance, I wish to thank all members

of the STAY WYSE Board for their input and

contributions throughout the year. There will be some

major changes to the Board for 2016 with the end of

position term for three members, and one resignation.

The candidates standing for election in 2016 are all

members with a long‐standing STAY WYSE relationship,

and an excellent familiarity with the YTA industry. I am

confident that the ultimate composition of the Board

will place STAY WYSE in good hands.

There is a proposed restructure of the WYSE Travel

Confederation and its sector associations, including STAY

WYSE during 2016. These changes are expected to allow

STAY WYSE to deliver additional benefits to its members

while also strengthening the organisation for the future.

While support from the STAY WYSE community will be

required during the transition, I am confident that the

changes with allow STAY WYSE to strengthen and grow,

and place it in a position to better serve its membership

in the long run.

On behalf of the current STAY WYSE Board, I look

forward to welcoming our members to Cape Town in

September.

Philip Houghton

Chair of STAY WYSE


PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

All STAY WYSE members have received information from WYSE Travel

Confederation about the proposed restructure of the Confederation and

the sector associations.

A restructure has been proposed to strengthen and enhance the WYSE

Travel Confederation and the sector associations, and ensure their

viability for the future.

At present, the productivity of the Confederation and the associations is

being hampered by layers of unnecessary bureaucracy and administration,

and a confusing membership structure that compartmentalises the youth

travel industry in an ineffective way. With the pace of technology and

economic changes, the current structure is outdated and ill‐equipped to

serve the youth travel industry in the best way, and is ultimately

unsustainable in the longer term.

The restructure is proposing to unify the WYSE Travel Confederation and

the sector associations into a single body, such that STAY WYSE will cease

to exist as a separately constituted association with an independent

Board. STAY WYSE would instead evolve to become a brand within the

WYSE Travel Confederation, and a youth travel accommodation Advisory

Panel would be set up to replace the existing Board.

The STAY WYSE Board have discussed the restructure proposal, and the effects and implications for STAY WYSE members.

The STAY WYSE Board believe that the proposed restructure will enable STAY WYSE to better serve its existing members,

while also growing the STAY WYSE community for the longer term.

Therefore the STAY WYSE Board fully support the restructure and call upon the STAY WYSE membership to also provide

their support.

STAY WYSE members are strongly encouraged to review the material about the restructure on the WYSE website and to

attend the AGM in Cape Town.

Details about the WYSE Travel Confederation Restructure are available online here. Information about the STAY

WYSE AGM is available on the STAY WYSE website here.

STAY WYSE looks forward to hearing from members about the restructure proposal. Please email us with your

thoughts and comments at [email protected]


GOVERNANCE

The day‐to‐day management of the Association has been assumed by WYSE Travel Confederation staff located in the

Amsterdam office.

STAY WYSE Board 2015 The STAY WYSE Board held a face‐to‐face meeting in Amsterdam in January, and have otherwise held a monthly meeting

online.

STAY WYSE Board 2016 There will be a major change in the Board for 2016, with four of the five Board seats available for election. Steve Lowy,

Charlie MacGregor and Phil Houghton have completed their appointed terms, while Carl Michel has moved on from

Generator Hostels and is therefore unable to continue in his position.

Nominations for Board positions were called for via an email to STAY WYSE members in early August. Board elections will

take place at the AGM to be held in Cape Town on 22 September 2015.

Chair Philip Houghton,

Safestay

Treasurer Carl Michel,

Generator

Stephen Lane, Hostelling International

Steve Lowy,Umi Digital

Charlie MacGregor, Student Hotel


Five candidates are now standing for election to the STAY WYSE Board;

Philip Houghton, Safestay (re‐standing)

Pieter van der Zeeuw, The Hans Brinker Hotel

Anne Dolan, Clink Hostels

Alvaro Hinojosa Poch, U Hostels

Sandra Cohen, 92Y Residence New York

All STAY WYSE members are encouraged to vote for the new Board. Those who are unable to attend in person are

encouraged to submit a proxy vote, which can be assigned to the current Chair, Philip Houghton.

While Philip Houghton has confirmed his intention to re‐stand for election, the Board and the STAY WYSE community

wish to thank Steve, Charlie and Carl for their commitment and efforts over the previous years.

Information about the candidates standing for election, details of the AGM and proxy voting

forms are all available here on the STAY WYSE website.

Image courtesy Backpackers Villa Sonnehof,

Switzerland


RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Research Series In 2015 the STAY WYSE research has been focused on

the Industry Flash Survey Series which launched at the

end of March with the Booking Sources survey. The idea

behind the Flash Series was to create a series of short

five minute surveys focused on a number of key and

topical issues within the industry.

The Booking Sources report analysed key booking

sources within the industry, noting variations by size and

region, and the overall rise to dominance of

Booking.com in this traditionally niche OTA market.

The second survey focused on Ancillary Revenues

examining what was being sold by youth travel

accommodation providers, the current commission

opportunities and strategies and insight for tapping into

this revenue stream.

A survey on Mobile will be released at the beginning of

September, and two further surveys are in the pipeline.

Members are strongly encouraged to participate in STAY

WYSE surveys, in addition to accessing the reports once

released. The data from the surveys provides valuable

insight into the industry, identifying key benchmarks,

trends and opportunities for members to refine and

develop their operations.

Publications In addition to publishing the survey reports, STAY WYSE

has revised the Hostel Start‐up Guide. The Guide‐ free

for members and otherwise available for purchase‐

examines what a hostel is today, tips and ideas for

opening a hostel, and canvasses matters including

building features, revenue management systems,

booking channels and dealing with online reviews.

The Guide has been given a content update as well as a

major design overhaul and is expected to be published

by the end of the year. If you are interested in

advertising in the Hostel Start‐up Guide, please contact

[email protected] for more information.

Education The first ever STAY WYSE Webinar was held in June,

discussing the results of the Booking Sources survey. The

survey was rated highly by those who attended and STAY

WYSE intends to continue to offer its own webinars to

complement those provided by WYSE Travel

Confederation.

STAY WYSE has also continued to present seminars and

workshops at events including, WYSTC and ITB Berlin.

STAY WYSE also delivered a presentation commissioned

by Hostelling International USA.


SELF CERTIFICATION

It was identified in 2014 that the ‘safety’ component of the STAY (Safe Travel

Accommodation for Youth) WYSE brand needed a greater emphasis. The STAY WYSE logo is

a mark of quality and a sign of commitment to the STAY WYSE mission. STAY WYSE felt it

desirable to emphaise and promote those members of the youth travel accommodation

community who are committed to upholding these goals.

In July 2015, STAY WYSE launched its own Self Certification system. The Certification is open to all accommodation

provider members, and covers off a range of matters from fire safety to alcohol service, health and hygeine and employee

training. It is intended to provide a minimum standard for guests staying at a Certified property, as well as for the

employees who work there.

Upon completion of the Certification, properties are provided with STAY WYSE Certified Member stickers to communicate

their Certification status to the guest consumer. The stickers contain a QR code for guests to scan, to find out more about

what the Certification means for them.

At the time of drafting this report, some 61 properties have obtained the Certification.

The STAY WYSE Certified Property Sticker


MEET THE MEMBER

A new section was launced on the STAY WYSE website titled ‘Meet the

Member’. The section features interviews with STAY WYSE members

about their businesses, and their thoughts on the challenges and

trends in the industry.

The section is intended to provide interesting and informative content

on the website that allows members to get to know each other better,

while also better representing and promoting our members in the

community through the publication of the articles as news features

and across the STAY WYSE social media channels.

The section contains interviews conducted with STAY WYSE members

about their business, as well as challenges and trends in the industry.

At the time of publishing, seven interviews have been conducted,

including two ‘New Member’ profiles.

Members interested in sharing their story should reach out to STAY WYSE at [email protected]

MEMBER PHOTOGRAPHY

In April 2015 a call was made to all members to

supply STAY WYSE with the photographs of

their properties for STAY WYSE use. STAY WYSE

has a constant need for hostel related imagery,

to accompany website pieces and for

publications, presentations and research.

There was great support for the initiative, with

STAY WYSE receiving over 600 photographs

from its members. These photographs are far

more relevant and appropriate than what STAY

WYSE can obtain via image stock libraries,

while also giving members a chance for some

free publicity each time the images are used.

STAY WYSE thanks all who members supplied photography and encourages any other members interested in contributing

images to contact us at [email protected] for more details.

Image Courtesy of Once in Cape Town, Yours Truly cafe


MEMBERSHIP

The STAY WYSE association continues to work on membership growth. The raw membership numbers declined in 2015

due to the resignation of two National Associations (Swiss Hostels and Independent Hostel Owners Co‐Op Society Ireland)

tendered in 2014 for 2015, and a number of dissafiliations this year.

60

‐8

‐1

5

56

‐20

‐10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Member balance at31.12.2013

Resignations witheffect in 2014

Disaffiliations in2014

New membersrecruited

and ratified at 2014AGM

Member balance at31.12.2014

2014 Membership Year

56

‐9 ‐5

10

52

‐20

‐10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Member balanceat 31.12.2014

Resignations witheffect in 2015

Disaffiliations in2015*

New membersrecruited

to be ratified at2015 AGM

Predicted memberbalance at31.12.2015

2015 Membership Year

* This figure includes two strict disaffiliations, one merger, one resignation unprocessed in 2014, and one ‘other’.


However, on a very positive note, the number of resignations received to date during 2015 for 2016 is down significantly

on the number of resignations for the 2014 and 2015 years. Further, thus far in 2015 we have doubled the number of new

members recruited compared to 2014.

Hostelling International remains the only National Association member, representing an additional 69 National

Associations across the world.

89

1

2013 2014 2015

Resignations tendered each year, to take effect the

following year

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

2014 2015

Recruitment of new members

One ‐ 50 beds; 8

51 ‐ 100 beds; 11

101 ‐ 200 beds; 3201 ‐ 1000 beds; 17

1001 ‐ 5000 beds; 2

5000 + beds; 1

Booking engine; 1

Affiliate/Service; 7

Official Tourism Organisation; 1

National Association.; 1

2015 Current Membership Composition

*As at 26 August 2015


COMMUNICATIONS

The STAY WYSE website and social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin) are updated throughout each week

with industry news, trends, research and information about STAY WYSE events.

E‐newsletters re‐capping on the latest news, and special mailouts with important information, are also sent to members,

along with the wider hostel community.

The STAY WYSE database counts over 13,000 contacts and members are strongly encouraged to share their news with

STAY WSE at [email protected]

TRADING AND NETWORKING

STAY WYSE attended ITB Berlin in March 2015, and a number of STAY WYSE members took the opportunity to co‐exhibit

on the WYSE Travel Confederation stand. An official networking function was also held on the stand.

The Association continues to be heavily involved with WYSTC and the opportunities it provides for members to engage

with each other, while also conduct business with potential trading partners.

STAY WYSE is looking to host a specific hostel conference in Europe in early 2016. Further details will be released shortly.

STAY WYSE Panel Presentation ITB Berlin March 2015

STAY WYSE has 2,977 followers on Twitter

STAY WYSE has 796 ‘Likes’ on Facebook


THE OUTLOOK– 2016

If the proposed restructure is adopted by WYSE Travel Confederation and the STAY WYSE membership at the end of this

year, the 2016 year will be one of transition.

The new structure will be put into place and the Advisory Panels will come into effect. STAY WYSE asks for member

support during the transition phase and encourages members to communicate with STAY WYSE and get involved in

shaping the future success of the organisation.

STAY WYSE otherwise intends to continue focusing on its key areas of research and education, networking and trading,

and advocacy and representation over the coming year.

STAY WYSE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU

Have you missed out on a STAY WYSE report or webinar?

Would you like to complete a Meet the Member profile?

Would you like to see your images in STAY WYSE publications?

Is there something you would like to see STAY WYSE get involved in?

Do you have some feedback, questions or concerns?

Then please get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or call us on + 31 (0)20 421 2800.

STAYWYSE013 | 08/2015

STAY WYSE Annual Report final · The STAY WYSE Board have discussed the restructure proposal, and...

Documents

Transcript of STAY WYSE Annual Report final · The STAY WYSE Board have discussed the restructure proposal, and...