Youth hostels not so young

Press, 13 April 1982, Page 14

Youth hostels not so young

Using youth hostels is still the cheapest and best way for young people to enjoy travel, said the president of the International Youth Hostel Federation, Mr Piet Kimzeke, in Christchurch . recently.

Mr Kimzeke is in New Zealand for the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the New Zealand Youth Hostels Association. In Mr Kimzeke’s own country, Belgium, the association marked its fiftieth year in 1981. The first youth hostel was founded in 1909 by a German schoolteacher, Richard Schirrmann, who taught in an industrial- area of the Rhine Valley and wanted somewhere in the country to take his pupils. From there the youth hostelmovement has grown to include more than 5000 hostels in 50 countries catering for a' world-wide membership of almost 4 million. Young people still made up the bulk of travellers using the hostels, ■ said Mr Kimzeke. “Market research shows that . the majority of international travellers are between 18 and 25,” he said.

The average age is lower in Germany and Poland where many school classes stay in youth hostels. In Poland the hostel association is linked to the Ministry of Education. In New Zealand, Britain, and Ireland the average age of youth hostellers is more than 20. There is no age limit although some national organisations are reluctant to admit people over the age of 35 who do not already belong. “Some people try to join, thinking the hostels are a form of cheap hotel — that is

not really the case," said Mr Kimzeke. Young people save money by doing things for themselves.

“Making your own way” is one of the underlying principles of the hostel movement.

Youth hostels had changed a great deal over the last 50 years, said Mr Kimzeke. "There is not so much paternalism now. In the beginning the hostels were a kind of home with a house father and mother."

Attitudes and young people had changed, he said, and part of his role as international president was to improve co-operation between member countries and stress the training of wardens and house parents so that “they know how to receive people and how to understand their attitudes.” The standard of New Zealand youth hostels was very good, said Mr Kimzeke. They were first established in New Zealand by Miss Cora Wild-

ing, the only woman to start a youth hostel movement. "I am very much looking forward to- meeting Miss Wilding as part of the anniversary celebrations," said Mr Kimzeke.

He has spoken with the Minister of the Environment (Dr Shearer) , about Government assistance for a special project, a 48 bed hostel in the Mount Cook National Park.

Because of national pride many governments put a lot of money into building hotels, said Mr Kimzeke. One example was Saudi. Arabia, which had applied to become a member of the international federation. ' “They have built ‘luxury units — six hostels built like palaces, with swimming pools. I told them we didn’t need anything like that. That’s not what youth hostels are all about." With the odd exception, the image of youth hostels worldwide was very good, said Mr Kimzeke. The future of the hostels was "optimistic.” “Young people will always want to travel.” he said. Thirty million “overnights” during last year proved that// .. More family groups are using the hostels now and provision was being made for family dormitories. A number of hostels also provided for disabled travellers. “Every hostel association putting up new buildings is reminded to include facilities for handicapped people where possible,” said Mr Kimzeke. Mr Kimzeke’s own membership card dates back to 1934 when he stayed in youth hostels as a student. "Even when I couldn’t travel outside my own country in World War 111 still stayed at

hostels in Belgium."

Mr Kimzeke, who has been on the international executive for 25 years, six as president, continued his association with youth hostels as a schoolteacher, taking classes on hostelling trips.