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EUFED e-bulletin Issue n° 33 - March 2010 |
We are pleased to send you the new edition of the EUFED e-bulletin, with latest information from the Federation, a summary of relevant EU developments and a selection of news items from our member Associations and Hostelling International. |
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President's Introduction |
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EUFED news |
EUFED presents best practices at FITUR Madrid 2010  On 21st January 2010 in Madrid, EUFED Operating Director gave a presentation at the Hotel Energy Solutions Conference - Towards a More Competitive Industry on “Energising young travellers for renewables - Empowering examples of European Youth Hostels”. The conference was a major event with a very large number of participants from a wide variety of backgrounds – ministries, hoteliers, technology suppliers, tour operators, architects and representatives from the education sector, to name a few. This demonstrates that there is a significant interest in this issue. Youth Hostel best practices' presentations helped to raise awareness on what the tourism industry can do to become more energy efficient and sustainable. The conference presentations are now available on the following page: www.unwto.org/media/news |
EUFED co-organises ETAG Breakfast Briefing to update Members of the European Parliament about European Tourism  The Breakfast Briefing took place on 26th January 2010 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The guests were the Chairman and about 20 members of the Transport & Tourism Committee. ETAG (European Tourism Action Group) members were also pleased to welcome Pedro Ortun Director of the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry and Alan Vella national Expert from the European Commission Tourism Unit. It was agreed that this meeting was the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the Committee and ETAG. The next breakfast meeting will take place on 9th June 2010 with MEP Michael Cramer presenting the Iron Curtain Trail project.
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| EUFED reports on the complexity of European Tourism at the European Parliament On 24th February 2010, after the successful January breakfast meeting with MEPs from all over the EU, EUFED was contacted by MEP Helga Ranner (Member of the Transport and Tourism Committee) from Austria to meet a delegation of travel agents. EUFED's Operating Director gave an overview on the role of stakeholders and on the lobby work within the new tourism policy framework of the EU. She underlined that EUFED will pro-actively continue monitoring the latest developments and consulting on resulting activities and challenges. For further information: constanze.adolf@eufed.org |
| EU CALYPSO Preparatory Action EUFED and PZS attend the 4th CALYPSO conference in Rome On 2nd and 3rd March 2010, EUFED Operating Director discussed the role of Youth Hostels during the fourth CALYPSO conference in Rome: “Facilitating exchanges through CALYPSO: the way forward from the supply side perspective.” This meeting sought to identify mechanisms to facilitate attractively priced tourism exchanges between different countries in the low season. Igor Jurišič President of the Youth Hostel Association in Slovenia gave a presentation on EUFED's recommendations for the second year of the CALYPSO project. Please consult the re-launched CALYPSO's web site for any further information. EUFED contributes to the CALYPSO study On 15th February 2010 in Paris, EUFED's Operating Director gave an interview to the study consultants, study on "Tourism exchanges in Europe: Enhancing employment, extending the seasonality spread, strengthening European citizenship and improving regional/local economies through the development of social tourism". This study aims at providing recommendations for a social tourism policy framework. The European Parliament approved the budget of € 1 Million for the renewal of Calypso in 2010. |
EUROPARC - A new partner in the stakeholder network of EUFED  EUROPARC represents 441 members in 36 countries. Its main role is to facilitate international co-operation in all aspects of protected area management to further and improve and conserve our shared natural inheritance. During the first brainstorm meeting the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism was discussed. This is a practical management tool which helps protected areas to continuously improve the sustainable development and the management of tourism taking account of the needs of the environment, the local population and the local tourism businesses. More information: www.europarc.org |
EUFED becomes an official Graslöwe partner  On 25th February 2010, EUFED's Operating Director participated in the annual meeting of the "Graslöwe scheme" which certifies outstanding programmes on education for sustainable development in the framework of the UN decade of ESD. EUFED became an official partner of the Graslöwe and discussed various options to adapt the certification at the EU level. www.grasloewe.de |
EUFED as project partner for a new project on integration of young people with migrant backgrounds into EU tourism  On the occasion of a brainstorm meeting which took place from 7th to 9th March 2010 in Colditz youth hostel (Germany), EUFED Operating Director developed a proposal aiming at implementing EU programmes addressed to young people with migrant backgrounds. The participants were migrants associations and social workers, and young people with migrant backgrounds. For more information, please contact Constanze Adolf. |
EUFED drafted a position paper for the new European Tourism Framework of the European Commission  Given the new competences for the EU, Antonio Tajani, the new Commissioner in charge of tourism will present, later this year, a communication on European tourism. Consequently, EUFED Operating Director sent recommendations regarding sustainable tourism and youth tourism to the stakeholder consultation launched by the European Commission.
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EUFED meets with the 112 Foundation  On 10th March 2010, EUFED met with the 112 Foundation to discuss possibilities of implementing an information campaign among the European Youth Hostel network. The campaign aims to inform travellers and young people about the single emergency number 112 which can be dialled in all the 27 Member States of the EU as well as in Croatia, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Turkey, Switzerland and Vatican. www.112foundation.eu |
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Live from Brussels |
Androulla Vassiliou presents her new “mega programme” on youth and mobility  As Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou's priorities will concentrate on areas where to make a difference in people's lives and contribute to a better Europe. Education and training are at the heart of the Commission's "Europe 2020" strategy for a competitive, green and sustainable economy. To read more about the programme. |
New media tool: South-East Europe in focus  WAZ.euobserver.com provides you with daily reports and analyses on relations between the EU and countries in South Eastern Europe. The service has been set up by WAZ Media Group publisher of 46 newspapers in Germany and South East Europe, and EUobserver.com the leading online news service covering EU affairs. |
UNWTO - International tourism on track for a rebound after an exceptionally challenging 2009  Growth returned to international tourism in the last quarter of 2009 contributing to better than expected full-year results, according to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. International tourist arrivals fell by an estimated 4% in 2009. Prospects have also improved with arrivals now forecast to grow between 3% and 4% in 2010.This outlook is confirmed by the remarkable rise of the UNWTO Panel of Experts’ Confidence Index. - UNWTO News 2010 - Tourism outlook - UNWTO Tourism Barometer - January 2010 |
Torino 2010 Youth Capital  The beginning of 2010 marks the passage from Rotterdam to Torino as the Youth Capital of the year. Please visit the official web site for further information on the events and activities: www.yourtime2010.com |
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What has the EU done for you over the past year? The European Commission launched its annual multimedia yearbook presenting some of the European Union's most important achievements of the past year. The yearbook provides a collection of success stories where EU action has led to tangible results for citizens, with topics ranging from research to mitigating the effects of the economic crisis. To read more… |
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Member Associations news |
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Germany - Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk (DJH) - New hostel plans Not only is the membership news good, but also DJH is looking forward to the opening of five brand-new youth hostels. Details to follow! www.jugendherberge.de |
France - Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (FUAJ) - Rouen, a new youth hostel in the heart of Normandy  A new youth hostel will open its doors in March in Rouen, a city at the North-West crossroads of Europe within 350 km of three capitals: Paris, London and Brussels.
At the heart of one of the oldest industrial heritage site of Rouen la teinturerie d'Auvray (Auvray dyeing factory), along the canal Robec and near the city centre, the class 4 hostel will provide accessibility for all and many facilities, including three meeting rooms with suitable equipment. With a modular capacity from 80 to 120 beds, the hostel is mainly composed of one to four-bedded rooms. This privileged location, in a cultural, historical and heritage filled environment makes this new youth hostel a particularly attractive destination for young European travellers. www.fuaj.org |
France - Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (FUAJ) - New volunteering opportunities in the French Youth Hostels  The French Government has recently developed a new statute called "volontariat associatif", which provides government support for the employment of volunteers. FUAJ recently received the certification under this scheme, allowing it to recruit volunteers within the association. FUAJ is entitled to host up to 60 volunteers during 4 years for missions from 4 to 12 months. Candidates must be aged 18 at least and living in France for more than a year. The work associated with the volunteers should address one of four main themes: multicultural exchanges, protection of the environment, promotion of the heritage, and social causes. Having a volunteer in a youth hostel is also a mission of general interest, and accomplishing the volunteers' integration among the staff is a step towards flexibility and social and cultural exchanges. Thus this programme should promote human resources by enhancing youth work and achievements, and so help to develop youth hostelling. Since mid-February 2010, candidates are able to apply on FUAJ's web site with their own project or for a project posted by FUAJ. More information: www.fuaj.org |
Belgium - Les Auberges de Jeunesse (LAJ) - LAJ wishes happy retirement to Rosy Pirson Namur Youth Hostel Manager  After 28 years of service to Namur Youth Hostel, Rosy Pirson decided to take her early retirement. A large number of Youth Hostelling representatives were present to celebrate and thank her. Were present: Edith Arnoult-Brill HI President and, essentially, Rosy's friend, Igor Jurišič HI Slovenia President, Chris Darmon HI England & Wales President, LAJ Board Members and colleagues, many FUAJ Youth Hostel Managers, and friends and family. www.laj.be |
Slovenia - Popotniško združenje Slovenije (PZS) - PZS is implementing "Tota neodkrita dediščina" a project to preserve cultural heritage  PZS aims to encourage elementary and high school pupils to research and get to know their cultural heritage. By means of a contest they will be able to present the heritage of their hometown through photos, videos and drawings. All stories, folk tales and written accounts of the elders in the population are also welcome, for they hold gems of living heritage within them. Thus PZS wishes to connect the young and the elderly to have them exchanging experiences and raise the youngsters' awareness about their heritage. PZS is also inviting organisations and individuals to join the work. Through a public announcement to collect non-material heritage, PZS is requesting to all interested residents of the community surrounding Maribor, to prepare video clips entitled NEODKRITA TOTA DEDIŠČINA. PZS President Igor Jurišič said "with this project we wish to collect the most diverse examples of yet undiscovered cultural heritage in the area of the five municipalities of Duplek, Kungota, Pesnica and Šentilj, and the rural parts of Maribor (outwith the city settlement itself)." www.youth-hostel.si |
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Spain - Red Espańola de Albergues Juveniles (REAJ) - Interview from the President Natxo Rodriguez Puertas |
Switzerland - Swiss Youth Hostels (SJH) - Another kind of business event…  This year the team event of the Swiss Youth Hostels Head Office took place at Zurich Youth Hostel. For 24 hours the regular staff of Zurich Youth hostel has been replaced by the members of the Swiss Youth Hostels' Head Office. First of all they were instructed by the experienced hostel staff. The amateurs were mandated to deal with all kind of work like cooking, house keeping and welcoming the guests. With a lot of fun, a smile on their faces and some difficulties they managed the different business. Surprised by the complexity of the tasks, good teamwork and cooperation were necessary. Finally the Youth Hostel was handed back to the key staff in a good manner. Surely everyone will keep this special event in mind as a positive and valuable experience! www.youthhostel.ch |
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HI news |
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With support from the General Budget of the European Communities The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission |
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It seems that Europe is slowly emerging from the economic problems that have gripped us for the past year. But the process is slow and, in many countries, painful. Even so, as REAJ President Natxo Rodriguez Puertas points out in the interview reported below, there are opportunities, for in difficult times our low cost provision should enable us to draw more people into the opportunities and values of youth hostelling. 
On 25th February 2010, EUFED, in close cooperation with James Hindson from 
On 21st January 2010 in Madrid, the European Commission and the Spanish EU Presidency launched the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, under the motto "Stop Poverty Now!". The project's key objectives are to raise public awareness about these issues and renew the political commitment of the EU and its Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion. 
The 100th anniversary year had definitively a positive impact on youth hostelling in Germany. The number of members rose to a peak. Currently, 2.065.000 people have the DJH membership card. The number of overnight stays rose in 2009 by 100.000 to a total of 10.3 millions. 
REAJ covers all the regions of the Spanish State and aims to promote hostelling values among young people. The network is composed of 241 youth hostels providing more than 24,000 beds and services to 3 million overnight stays per year. REAJ President Natxo Rodriguez Puertas from the Basque country gives answers below to a short interview about REAJ. 
France on top in February