STAY WYSE Annual Report final · The STAY WYSE Board have discussed the restructure proposal, and...
Transcript of STAY WYSE Annual Report final · The STAY WYSE Board have discussed the restructure proposal, and...
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
STAY WYSE
Photo credit: Clink 78
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction p2
Message from the Chair p3
Planning for the Future p4
Governance p5
Research and Education p7
Self Certification p8
Meet the Member p9
Member Photography p9
Membership p10
Communications p12
Trading & Networking p12
Outlook 2016 p13
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Title: Beyond the Bed | Published: September 2015 | Published by: STAY WYSE
COPYRIGHT © 2015 STAY WYSE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The copyright for the design and content of this publication is owned by STAY WYSE. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, by any means – electronic, photocopying or otherwise – without the written
permission of STAY WYSE. Members of STAY WYSE may distribute this publication within their organisation.
To request permission contact [email protected] or call +31 (0)20 421 2800.
Disclaimer: The presentation of material in this publication and the designations used do not express the opinions of authors, but
represent the results of primary research. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, STAY WYSE
cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions.
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 2
Introduction
STAY (Safe Travel Accommodation for Youth) WYSE Association is the global forum and trade association for organisations
involved in youth travel accommodation. The Association was formed in 2006 by the world’s leading youth travel
accommodation providers to represent the entire global Youth Travel Accommodation (YTA) sector.
STAY WYSE is the only not‐for‐profit industry association bringing together the diverse segments of this significant multi‐
billion dollar industry. The association works to provide much needed support and representation for one of the youth
travel industry’s fastest growing markets.
Our mission is to create a voice and forum of both ‘official’ and ‘independent’ providers of safe, affordable and clean
accommodation in a communal atmosphere to encourage youth mobility.
Image Courtesy of Amistat Beach Hostel
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 3
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
2015 has seen the launch of a number of new initiatives
designed to re‐focus on the core mission of STAY WYSE,
strengthen the benefits for members and raise the
profile of the STAY WYSE community in the broader
industry.
The provision of safe accommodation for young people
lies at the very heart of the STAY WYSE organisation.
The 2015 introduction of a Self Certification system for
STAY WYSE accommodation provider members creates a
set of minimum standards of safety and quality for
consumers as well as establishment staff. The STAY
WYSE logo is a mark of quality and a sign of adherence
to the STAY WYSE objectives, and it is intended that the
Certification system becomes a means of raising the
profile of STAY WYSE properties among youth travellers
and the industry as a whole.
The launch of the Meet the Member section on the STAY
WYSE website has put a face to the youth travel
accommodation industry. Interviews with our members
from across the globe has provided valuable insights into
the hostel operations of our members, along with
challenges and trends being faced within the
community, locally and internationally. To learn what
different operators and organisations are doing,
particularly in the social responsibility and environment
fields, has been particularly inspiring and encouraging,
while also giving valuable visibility and profile to our
members.
STAY WYSE also continues to channel energy into its
education and research programme, as well as
networking and trading opportunities. The Industry Flash
Survey series provides insight into a number of topical
issues within the industry and the revision of the Hostel
Start‐up Guide offers valuable information to those
looking to enter the sector. STAY WYSE continues to
attend industry events including WYSTC and ITB Berlin,
to raise the profile of the Association while
simultaneously providing valuable opportunities for
members to engage in networking and trading within
the youth and student travel community.
With respect to Governance, I wish to thank all members
of the STAY WYSE Board for their input and
contributions throughout the year. There will be some
major changes to the Board for 2016 with the end of
position term for three members, and one resignation.
The candidates standing for election in 2016 are all
members with a long‐standing STAY WYSE relationship,
and an excellent familiarity with the YTA industry. I am
confident that the ultimate composition of the Board
will place STAY WYSE in good hands.
There is a proposed restructure of the WYSE Travel
Confederation and its sector associations, including STAY
WYSE during 2016. These changes are expected to allow
STAY WYSE to deliver additional benefits to its members
while also strengthening the organisation for the future.
While support from the STAY WYSE community will be
required during the transition, I am confident that the
changes with allow STAY WYSE to strengthen and grow,
and place it in a position to better serve its membership
in the long run.
On behalf of the current STAY WYSE Board, I look
forward to welcoming our members to Cape Town in
September.
Philip Houghton
Chair of STAY WYSE
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 4
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
All STAY WYSE members have received information from WYSE Travel
Confederation about the proposed restructure of the Confederation and
the sector associations.
A restructure has been proposed to strengthen and enhance the WYSE
Travel Confederation and the sector associations, and ensure their
viability for the future.
At present, the productivity of the Confederation and the associations is
being hampered by layers of unnecessary bureaucracy and administration,
and a confusing membership structure that compartmentalises the youth
travel industry in an ineffective way. With the pace of technology and
economic changes, the current structure is outdated and ill‐equipped to
serve the youth travel industry in the best way, and is ultimately
unsustainable in the longer term.
The restructure is proposing to unify the WYSE Travel Confederation and
the sector associations into a single body, such that STAY WYSE will cease
to exist as a separately constituted association with an independent
Board. STAY WYSE would instead evolve to become a brand within the
WYSE Travel Confederation, and a youth travel accommodation Advisory
Panel would be set up to replace the existing Board.
The STAY WYSE Board have discussed the restructure proposal, and the effects and implications for STAY WYSE members.
The STAY WYSE Board believe that the proposed restructure will enable STAY WYSE to better serve its existing members,
while also growing the STAY WYSE community for the longer term.
Therefore the STAY WYSE Board fully support the restructure and call upon the STAY WYSE membership to also provide
their support.
STAY WYSE members are strongly encouraged to review the material about the restructure on the WYSE website and to
attend the AGM in Cape Town.
Details about the WYSE Travel Confederation Restructure are available online here. Information about the STAY
WYSE AGM is available on the STAY WYSE website here.
STAY WYSE looks forward to hearing from members about the restructure proposal. Please email us with your
thoughts and comments at [email protected]
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 5
GOVERNANCE
The day‐to‐day management of the Association has been assumed by WYSE Travel Confederation staff located in the
Amsterdam office.
STAY WYSE Board 2015 The STAY WYSE Board held a face‐to‐face meeting in Amsterdam in January, and have otherwise held a monthly meeting
online.
STAY WYSE Board 2016 There will be a major change in the Board for 2016, with four of the five Board seats available for election. Steve Lowy,
Charlie MacGregor and Phil Houghton have completed their appointed terms, while Carl Michel has moved on from
Generator Hostels and is therefore unable to continue in his position.
Nominations for Board positions were called for via an email to STAY WYSE members in early August. Board elections will
take place at the AGM to be held in Cape Town on 22 September 2015.
Chair Philip Houghton,
Safestay
Treasurer Carl Michel,
Generator
Stephen Lane, Hostelling International
Steve Lowy,Umi Digital
Charlie MacGregor, Student Hotel
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 6
Five candidates are now standing for election to the STAY WYSE Board;
Philip Houghton, Safestay (re‐standing)
Pieter van der Zeeuw, The Hans Brinker Hotel
Anne Dolan, Clink Hostels
Alvaro Hinojosa Poch, U Hostels
Sandra Cohen, 92Y Residence New York
All STAY WYSE members are encouraged to vote for the new Board. Those who are unable to attend in person are
encouraged to submit a proxy vote, which can be assigned to the current Chair, Philip Houghton.
While Philip Houghton has confirmed his intention to re‐stand for election, the Board and the STAY WYSE community
wish to thank Steve, Charlie and Carl for their commitment and efforts over the previous years.
Information about the candidates standing for election, details of the AGM and proxy voting
forms are all available here on the STAY WYSE website.
Image courtesy Backpackers Villa Sonnehof,
Switzerland
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 7
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Research Series In 2015 the STAY WYSE research has been focused on
the Industry Flash Survey Series which launched at the
end of March with the Booking Sources survey. The idea
behind the Flash Series was to create a series of short
five minute surveys focused on a number of key and
topical issues within the industry.
The Booking Sources report analysed key booking
sources within the industry, noting variations by size and
region, and the overall rise to dominance of
Booking.com in this traditionally niche OTA market.
The second survey focused on Ancillary Revenues
examining what was being sold by youth travel
accommodation providers, the current commission
opportunities and strategies and insight for tapping into
this revenue stream.
A survey on Mobile will be released at the beginning of
September, and two further surveys are in the pipeline.
Members are strongly encouraged to participate in STAY
WYSE surveys, in addition to accessing the reports once
released. The data from the surveys provides valuable
insight into the industry, identifying key benchmarks,
trends and opportunities for members to refine and
develop their operations.
Publications In addition to publishing the survey reports, STAY WYSE
has revised the Hostel Start‐up Guide. The Guide‐ free
for members and otherwise available for purchase‐
examines what a hostel is today, tips and ideas for
opening a hostel, and canvasses matters including
building features, revenue management systems,
booking channels and dealing with online reviews.
The Guide has been given a content update as well as a
major design overhaul and is expected to be published
by the end of the year. If you are interested in
advertising in the Hostel Start‐up Guide, please contact
[email protected] for more information.
Education The first ever STAY WYSE Webinar was held in June,
discussing the results of the Booking Sources survey. The
survey was rated highly by those who attended and STAY
WYSE intends to continue to offer its own webinars to
complement those provided by WYSE Travel
Confederation.
STAY WYSE has also continued to present seminars and
workshops at events including, WYSTC and ITB Berlin.
STAY WYSE also delivered a presentation commissioned
by Hostelling International USA.
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 8
SELF CERTIFICATION
It was identified in 2014 that the ‘safety’ component of the STAY (Safe Travel
Accommodation for Youth) WYSE brand needed a greater emphasis. The STAY WYSE logo is
a mark of quality and a sign of commitment to the STAY WYSE mission. STAY WYSE felt it
desirable to emphaise and promote those members of the youth travel accommodation
community who are committed to upholding these goals.
In July 2015, STAY WYSE launched its own Self Certification system. The Certification is open to all accommodation
provider members, and covers off a range of matters from fire safety to alcohol service, health and hygeine and employee
training. It is intended to provide a minimum standard for guests staying at a Certified property, as well as for the
employees who work there.
Upon completion of the Certification, properties are provided with STAY WYSE Certified Member stickers to communicate
their Certification status to the guest consumer. The stickers contain a QR code for guests to scan, to find out more about
what the Certification means for them.
At the time of drafting this report, some 61 properties have obtained the Certification.
The STAY WYSE Certified Property Sticker
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 9
MEET THE MEMBER
A new section was launced on the STAY WYSE website titled ‘Meet the
Member’. The section features interviews with STAY WYSE members
about their businesses, and their thoughts on the challenges and
trends in the industry.
The section is intended to provide interesting and informative content
on the website that allows members to get to know each other better,
while also better representing and promoting our members in the
community through the publication of the articles as news features
and across the STAY WYSE social media channels.
The section contains interviews conducted with STAY WYSE members
about their business, as well as challenges and trends in the industry.
At the time of publishing, seven interviews have been conducted,
including two ‘New Member’ profiles.
Members interested in sharing their story should reach out to STAY WYSE at [email protected]
MEMBER PHOTOGRAPHY
In April 2015 a call was made to all members to
supply STAY WYSE with the photographs of
their properties for STAY WYSE use. STAY WYSE
has a constant need for hostel related imagery,
to accompany website pieces and for
publications, presentations and research.
There was great support for the initiative, with
STAY WYSE receiving over 600 photographs
from its members. These photographs are far
more relevant and appropriate than what STAY
WYSE can obtain via image stock libraries,
while also giving members a chance for some
free publicity each time the images are used.
STAY WYSE thanks all who members supplied photography and encourages any other members interested in contributing
images to contact us at [email protected] for more details.
Image Courtesy of Once in Cape Town, Yours Truly cafe
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 10
MEMBERSHIP
The STAY WYSE association continues to work on membership growth. The raw membership numbers declined in 2015
due to the resignation of two National Associations (Swiss Hostels and Independent Hostel Owners Co‐Op Society Ireland)
tendered in 2014 for 2015, and a number of dissafiliations this year.
60
‐8
‐1
5
56
‐20
‐10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Member balance at31.12.2013
Resignations witheffect in 2014
Disaffiliations in2014
New membersrecruited
and ratified at 2014AGM
Member balance at31.12.2014
2014 Membership Year
56
‐9 ‐5
10
52
‐20
‐10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Member balanceat 31.12.2014
Resignations witheffect in 2015
Disaffiliations in2015*
New membersrecruited
to be ratified at2015 AGM
Predicted memberbalance at31.12.2015
2015 Membership Year
* This figure includes two strict disaffiliations, one merger, one resignation unprocessed in 2014, and one ‘other’.
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 11
However, on a very positive note, the number of resignations received to date during 2015 for 2016 is down significantly
on the number of resignations for the 2014 and 2015 years. Further, thus far in 2015 we have doubled the number of new
members recruited compared to 2014.
Hostelling International remains the only National Association member, representing an additional 69 National
Associations across the world.
89
1
2013 2014 2015
Resignations tendered each year, to take effect the
following year
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
2014 2015
Recruitment of new members
One ‐ 50 beds; 8
51 ‐ 100 beds; 11
101 ‐ 200 beds; 3201 ‐ 1000 beds; 17
1001 ‐ 5000 beds; 2
5000 + beds; 1
Booking engine; 1
Affiliate/Service; 7
Official Tourism Organisation; 1
National Association.; 1
2015 Current Membership Composition
*As at 26 August 2015
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 12
COMMUNICATIONS
The STAY WYSE website and social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin) are updated throughout each week
with industry news, trends, research and information about STAY WYSE events.
E‐newsletters re‐capping on the latest news, and special mailouts with important information, are also sent to members,
along with the wider hostel community.
The STAY WYSE database counts over 13,000 contacts and members are strongly encouraged to share their news with
STAY WSE at [email protected]
TRADING AND NETWORKING
STAY WYSE attended ITB Berlin in March 2015, and a number of STAY WYSE members took the opportunity to co‐exhibit
on the WYSE Travel Confederation stand. An official networking function was also held on the stand.
The Association continues to be heavily involved with WYSTC and the opportunities it provides for members to engage
with each other, while also conduct business with potential trading partners.
STAY WYSE is looking to host a specific hostel conference in Europe in early 2016. Further details will be released shortly.
STAY WYSE Panel Presentation ITB Berlin March 2015
STAY WYSE has 2,977 followers on Twitter
STAY WYSE has 796 ‘Likes’ on Facebook
STAY WYSE | ANNUAL REPORT 2014‐2015 13
THE OUTLOOK– 2016
If the proposed restructure is adopted by WYSE Travel Confederation and the STAY WYSE membership at the end of this
year, the 2016 year will be one of transition.
The new structure will be put into place and the Advisory Panels will come into effect. STAY WYSE asks for member
support during the transition phase and encourages members to communicate with STAY WYSE and get involved in
shaping the future success of the organisation.
STAY WYSE otherwise intends to continue focusing on its key areas of research and education, networking and trading,
and advocacy and representation over the coming year.
STAY WYSE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
Have you missed out on a STAY WYSE report or webinar?
Would you like to complete a Meet the Member profile?
Would you like to see your images in STAY WYSE publications?
Is there something you would like to see STAY WYSE get involved in?
Do you have some feedback, questions or concerns?
Then please get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or call us on + 31 (0)20 421 2800.
STAYWYSE013 | 08/2015