HIQ&S Certification

Jan

HIQ&S Certification

19.01.2023

Hostelling International recently concluded its HIQ&S audits of Luxembourg’s youth hostels and head office. The HIQ&S certification is awarded to hostels and national associations fulfilling a wide range of criteria relating to quality and sustainability.

What is HIQ&S?

HIQ&S is Hostelling International’s very own quality and sustainability certification, awarded to hostels worldwide since 2016. Its criteria are adapted to global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, and HIQ&S is therefore recognised by the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council). As the only global network of youth hostel associations, it is important to aim for a consistently high level of quality for as many national associations as possible.

Certified since 2017

Luxembourg’s youth hostels were initially audited successfully for the first time in 2017 and were thus due to be re-audited in 2020. However, due to the travel restrictions and impact of COVID-19, the certification had been extended for an additional two years and the audits moved from 2020 to 2022.

Continuous improvement

Instead of a static, never-changing catalogue of criteria to be ticked off every couple of years, HIQ&S specifically aims at encouraging continuous improvement throughout all the branches that make up a national association and network of hostels. One of the most important pillars of the certification is formed by the smart action plan, a measurable and attainable plan for improvement within a certain time frame.

Outside view

One of the main reasons for Luxembourg’s youth hostelling association to work with labels and certifications such as HIQ&S is because it’s both healthy and essential to have your operational procedures and overall work critically evaluated by a professional from outside of your own four walls. There is always room for improvement, and these audits are essential in helping the national association and hostels identify where that is.