Slide 1:1 David JonesDirector GeneralWorld Youth, Student & Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation “The Youth Travel Industry of the Future: Key Trends, Travel Patterns and Challenges” Backpacker Conference 2009


Slide 2:2 WYSE Travel Confederation The World Youth & Student Travel Conference...1,000 specialists gather in the UK this September!


Slide 3:3 Providing A World of Opportunities! Cultural Exchange Volunteering Work Abroad Programmes Student Flights Au Pair Youth Hostels Youth Travel Agents Backpacker Transport International Education Student Travel Insurance Adventure Tours Internships Tourism Boards Language Courses Internet cafes Student Identity Cards


Slide 4:4 A Global Industry… 20% of all international visitors are backpackers & young travellers 173m international arrivals in 2009 AU$203 billion per/year industry!


Slide 5:5 WYSE Travel Confederation 560+ members 120 countries serving 10+ million youth & students each year!


Slide 6:6 English Australia Hostelworld Australian Tourism Export Council Conservation Volunteers Australia Greyhound Australia Adventure Tours Australia Group Tourism NT Global Gossip Base Backpackers Intrepid Travel YHA Australia STA Travel Tourism Victoria Tourism Tropical North Queensland Hello to Members Here Today! Wake Up! VIP Backpackers


Slide 7:7 New Research Report Profile of the Young Independent Traveller, 2007. International Review of Government Policy on Youth Travel Impact of Extended Travel Experiences on Youth Travellers Profile of Global Youth Accommodation Market Profile of International Work Experience Programmes Global Directions in Language Travel The Future of Youth Travel Bibliography ‘Youth Travel Matters: Understanding the Global Phenomenon of Youth Travel’ 2008 Published with UNWTO


Slide 8:8 Meaningful Travel ...Mixing travel ambitions with study, work, volunteering and adventure 80% return home more tolerant and respectful of other cultures 97% of 18-35 year old Australians believe skills gained from travel improves their career prospects* *Contiki Survey 2009 70% of young people ‘travel with a purpose’…


Slide 9:9 Responsible Travel A backpacker’s daily carbon footprint is just 9% of a business traveller’s! 53 days spent in destination  compared to 3.3 days* * Travel Industry of America 84%** of young travellers would consider offsetting their emissions in the future ** Lonely Planet ‘Travellers Pulse’ Survey Intrepid Travel, a world leader in 100% carbon-neutral travel & operations Young travellers have more respect and less impact on the environment


Slide 10:10 Forget The Budget Image In last 5 years, average spend per trip has increased by 40% to AU$3,500 Youth travel is getting older! More 35+ yr olds Youth hostels are going upmarket…3/4 of all rooms are now private en-suites Young travellers stay longer…and spend more than tourists.


Slide 11:11 Good News for Australia.. Australia is No.1 destination for backpackers & young travellers! Last year, young travellers spent 1m extra nights in Australia* Average spend per trip is now AU$5,639 per person* *Tourism Research Australia


Slide 12:12 Backpackers’ Favourite Destinations


Slide 13:13 Governments are (finally) recognising the importance of this $203b market! 60% of Governments view youth travel as ‘important to the future of their tourism industry’ …And anticipate significant expansion in this market over next 5 years YET… Only 30% recognise it as a niche sector…or collect statistics Only 20% have specific youth travel policies or programmes Tourism Authorities & Youth Travel


Slide 14:14 Tourism Australia Australia was the first country to promote backpacking as a unique niche market! Creating accessible & affordable travel opportunities…with integrated study & work visas, products & programmes Supporting development of a specialist niche industry e.g hostels and adventure tours Using Innovative marketing campaigns e.g ‘Work in Oz’ Myspace Page (20% increase working holiday visas from UK!)


Slide 15:15 A Resilient Market 75% of young travellers travelling ‘as much, or more, during recession’* 20% of travellers in Australia/NZ actually motivated by recession to travel** 20% increase in young Britons with Australian working holiday visas Global Gossip Poll, *Nov 08 & **Apr 09


Slide 16:16 What impact is the recession having on youth travel? The Youth Travel Industry is down 2.4% in Q1 2009 But demand in Oceania continues to rise! Youth Travel Industry Monitor Our regular global survey confirms…


Slide 17:17 Demand for Youth Travel..By Sector


Slide 18:18 Demand for Youth Travel..By Region


Slide 19:19 Industry Response…Innovate!


Slide 20:20 Responding to the Crisis Create a vision of your business in a post recession world – and build it now! Send a positive message: youth travel will be more resilient than the mainstream market Use market intelligence – respond with innovation and new product initiatives Advocacy with governments to prevent damaging policy reaction and to pursue opportunities


Slide 21:21 The Post-Recession Youth Travel Market Loss of confidence in global institutions to serve their needs Focus on personal development Search for meaningful travel experiences Fewer career options - more time to travel, discover The recession will change the values of today’s youth generation…


Slide 22:22 Future Trends for Youth Travel A convergence of mixed and diverse experiences Connecting in social networks ‘Communities on the Road’ Consumer-led rapidly changing demands


Slide 23:23 See You This September…! www.wystc.org www.wysetc.org …The World Youth & Student Travel Conference 22nd–25th September Manchester, UK David Jones, Director General


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