Records are broken at youth hostels

Youth hostels in Switzerland recorded more than 900,000 overnights stays in 2007, with turnover climbing to an all-time-high of SFr36.1 million ($32.34 million).

The 59 hostels and franchise operations registered 919,052 overnight stays, an increase of 4.3 per cent compared with the previous year. In its own 47 operations, Swiss Youth Hostels achieved a 10.6 per cent growth.

A statement on Monday cited new hostels, renovation and increased demand among the reasons for the performance.

Swiss Youth Hostels also said that its membership had increased in 2007 by 4,200 people or 4.8 per cent to 91,500.

Most of the guests staying in the hostels were Swiss – 50 per cent – with another 15 per cent coming from neighbouring Germany.

Young people travelling alone accounted for 20 per cent of the stays, with groups and schools taking a further 20 per cent.

Individuals between 25 and 45 accounted for the lion’s share of the stays (40 per cent), with another 20 per cent made up of people older than 45.