Swiss youth hostels have good year

Swiss youth hostels are a popular choice among thrifty travellers, as new figures show.

Youth hostels in Switzerland were full over the winter of 2001, resulting in a 7.8 per cent rise in profits for the year.

The Swiss Youth Hostel association (AJS) says the new profits, equal to SFr23 million, are especially worth noting, after the number of beds were cut by 1.9 per cent to cope with losses reported in 2000.

At the end of the Millennium year, 47 AJS affiliates experienced a 3.1 per cent loss, attributed to a marked drop in overnight stays.

The association welcomed the profits, saying the winter bonanza is also the result of five years of restructuring.

The new profits also reflect the 6.6 per cent rise in overnight stays last year, to 868,135, at 62 youth hostels in Switzerland.

The AJS is hoping to ensure the long-term survival of its youth hostel system by focusing on more successful outlets and by playing down those that have reported losses.

Its plans include expansion of the system of Swiss youth hostels to popular tourist areas.

swissinfo with agencies