International Conference in Iceland

The 52^nd world conference of Hostelling International took place from the 14^th to the 17^th October in Reykjavik. 

Following a very positive development in the past few years by the international federation, the structure, proceedings and outcome of the conference were considered to be very constructive. The national associations have really embraced the idea of a network-wide strategic plan and signed up to do a better job of implementing conference decisions.

In particular, they committed themselves to:

• supporting the values of hostelling more actively,
• meeting all minimum standards in their hostels and to run a quality approach aiming at a recognised certification
• assigning a sustainability coordinator in their association
• obtaining a recognised environmental certification for all key hostels
• developing a shared understanding and action plan for cultural education

In addition to this, motions were accepted to minimise single use plastics and to offer food products in a way that would continuously reduce the ‘foodprint’ of hostels. Furthermore, national associations will expand their effective sustainable management and aim at maximising social and economic benefits to the local community.

After being partially re-elected, the new board for the period 2018 to 2020 consists of the following representatives:

• President: Rob McGuirk, Australia
• Vice Presidents: Eric Oetjen, USA and Stephan Kurmann, Switzerland
• Treasurer: Alan Bourne, England & Wales
• Members: Rashid Al-Khalifa, Bahrein; Ramis Bedran, Brasil; Uwe Boehm, Germany; Benoit Graisset-Recco, France; Sergio Montoya, Spain

While the board is rather diverse regarding skills, regional representation and age, more needs to be done in order to improve gender representation.

The 52nd world conference of Hostelling International took place from the 14th to the 17th October in Reykjavik.

The new board for the period 2018 to 2020.