Dear ATC Readers,
During the 2017 World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Montreal, a roundtable discussion took place to lay the groundwork for a new document which aims to encompass the goals and motivations of our industry for the coming years. Ten professionals who represent a range of our industry’s sectors weighed in on the affordability, accessibility, and sustainability of youth and student travel
The document will be a follow up to the 2012 San Diego Declaration, which was adopted by the UNWTO in 2013. The San Diego Declaration has provided the basis for WYSE Travel Confederation’s work with international organisations, governments, sector stakeholders and other NGOs in furthering the cause of global youth travel.
WYSTC Montreal was notable not only because of the progress made towards defining the direction of the youth travel industry, but also for breaking a 26-year-old conference record. This year’s conference far surpassed the number of business appointments scheduled with more than 4800 appointments. The three-day trading, networking, and educational event brought newly forged partnerships, preliminary insights into the latest New Horizons global youth travel survey, and recognition of outstanding performers in youth and student travel at the 2017 Global Youth Travel Awards.
On the closing day of the conference, WYSE Travel Confederation member Alliance Abroad reminded us all of the core values of our industry as they handed one of our standout WYSTC volunteers the Dr. Taleb Rifai Volunteer Award. With support from Alliance Abroad, this outstanding volunteer will have the opportunity to work and live for one year in Australia.
“Tammy was a standout in an impressive group of volunteers. She was cheerful, helpful, energetic, enthusiastic and dependable. But what really set her apart, was her selfless motivation. Tammy’s ambition and hope is that, by her words and actions, she will not only realize her own dreams, she will inspire dreams for others,” said James Bell, President of Alliance Abroad Group.
The connections made and lessons learned at WYSTC bring energy and excitement to our already dynamic industry. We will carry this momentum forward into trading events we have at the start of 2018. We invite you to join us at STAY WYSE Hostel Business Conference in Amsterdam, WETM-IAC in Seville, and WYSE Exchange Australia in Sydney.
Warm Regards,
David Chapman
WYSE Travel Confederation Director General
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