In 2009, Hostelling International marked 100 years since the birth of the international hostelling movement.

The first proper hostel opened its doors in Burg Altena, Germany. From that moment onwards, the movement grew rapidly. At the beginning of the 1930s, there were already 12 youth hostel associations in Europe, and in 1932 the International Youth Hostel Federation was founded with a head office which is currently in London.

This organization is known today globally as Hostelling International and comprises over 4200 hostels all over the world.

HI’s mission is to provide an accommodation service that will make travelling and cultural exchange easier, and will allow you to increase your knowledge and, mainly, understanding amongst people of different nationalities.