This
paper discusses the phenomenon of
Youth Hostels, with particular focus on the Youth Hostel Association in England and Wales, also known as YHA. The paper covers the history of the youth hostels movement and the organizational structure and operation of the Youth Hostels Association in England and Wales. It then looks at the objectives, present state, and
future plans of the YHA. It asks whether youth hostels are only for the young and how the changing business environment is likely to affect future growth of the YHA.