Youth hostels

The Youth Hostel or the hotel for youth is a phenomenon that slowly extends to Romania as well. The concept exists in Europe for decades now and has shaped into an international organization for youth, with a proper philosophy and over three million members.

In 1999, on the initiative of a few youth hostel managers in the country, the basis of the Youth Hostel Romania association was laid, which in August 2002 became a full-right member of the International Youth Hostel Federation, which has its head office in London. It is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, which pursues the extension of the youth hostel network in Romania for the benefit of traveling youth, regardless of race, nationality, religion, social position or political convictions. The declared goal of such associations around the world is to promote tourism for youth, to educate youth and to facilitate a better communication among them, in partnership with the UNESCO and the EUFED – the European Union Federation of Youth Hostel Associations..

At present, there are 16 hostels members of YHR, one in Sighisoara, Burg Hostel and Rainbow Hostel in Filpisu Mare, near Reghin. Starting 2000, the classification of youth hostel is included in the norms of the Ministry of Transportation and Tourism and the Authorization and Control Office, and all these settlements respect the quality standard set by the International Youth Hostel Federation. “These are created specially for young people, and differ from pensions and hotels first of all in matter of the mood they offer, design and very low prices. Life in a hostel is centered around a living room, where youth are encouraged to communicate”, Ildiko Matyas, the YHR general secretary declared.

The living room is the common room, where there are special spaces designed for communication, television and even a library. Hostels also provide spaces for cooking, sports fields and internet access. The image would not be complete without mentioning the trips and various educational events organized for the promotion of tradition and local history.

One of the most known programs of the hostel in Romania is the Interetnica Festival, organized by Burg Hostel in Sighisoara. Abroad, access to facilities and programs offered by over 4.300 youth hostels is effectuated only on the basis of a member permit issued by the association, but in Romania this restriction is not yet applicable, although it is scheduled for the next few years. On the basis of the cards issued by YHR, access is granted to the partner units in other countries and reduction may be granted for housing. There are hostels which are not part of YHR, but these may not offer all the facilities the member hostel do. “There were hostels in our association which were only interested in their financial promotion, but they did not share the philosophy of the organization, but these are no longer members and we wish to extend the network with genuine partners”, Ildiko Matyas further declared.

Information about room in youth hostels can be found on the website of YHR, which soon launches the online reservation service for Romania, but also from the tourism information centers. (R.C.)