Youth Travel Setting Trends for Responsible Travel David Jones Former Director General, The World Youth, Student & Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation

WYSE Travel Confederation The global community of youth travel, student travel, cultural exchange and international education specialists – created by student unions in members active in 121 countries Serving 10 million young travellers each year WYSTC 2011: 1,000 youth travel professionals, Barcelona, September Mission: “to increase international understanding through the promotion of travel and education opportunities for students and youth”.

Youth Travel - The Global Market 200 million/yr | USD 190 billion | 20% of travellers Stay longer, spend more Ambitious - mix travel with experiential learning Important to: destinations, the tourism industry agenda, national state objectives

Not a ‘Tourist’ Self identify as “not a tourist” Travel with purpose – to explore new cultures and environments Respect for the people and places they visit Concerned, aware, receptive to responsible travel practices and sustainability

Responsible Travel Habits - make a contribution - Carbon footprint 10% that of a business traveller Get off the ‘beaten track’, travel, eat and sleep close to local communities – average Asian trip is 92 days Less ‘leakage’ of their spend Contribute to poverty alleviation Seek sustainable programmes and services

Set Travel Trends Mix leisure travel with experiential learning Growth in community service and volunteering New growth in Higher Education/Study Abroad The ‘pioneers’ of today’s top Asian destinations Connected with a vast online network - valuable tourism ‘ambassadors’ for destinations Adventure | Volunteer | International Education | Work Abroad Language Cultural Exchange | Flights | Hostels | Student Identity (ISIC) Insurance | Home Stay Au Pair | Heritage | Internship

Serving the Youth Market Provide specialised products and services that cater to their unique ‘travel with purpose’ needs Engage with the market through their social networks - before and after they travel Demonstrate sustainability in your programmes and services, promote responsible travel habits Join the global network of youth travel providers and attend WYSTC

Creates Responsible Travellers “If you have travelled as a ‘young independent traveller’ (backpacker, study or work abroad, exchange student, volunteer work), what impact has this had on your perception of the following?”* Significant impact Your respect for other cultures92% Your career choice80% Tendency to travel independently83% Developing positive personal values and ethics 82% Responsible travel habits78% Interest in social justice, poverty, peace73% Your overall lifestyle72% * Travellers Pulse, Lonely Planet 2005

“New Horizons” is the benchmark research study into the motivations and characteristics of young, independent travellers New Horizons II 2007 (8,500+ young travellers) Available at ‘Youth Travel Matters’ UNWTO Compendium of 7 studies on youth travel (May 2008) Available at Youth Travel Research

‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by - and that has made all the difference’ Robert Frost David Jones: WYSE Travel Confederation: Contact: Robin Wicks, Director General