Jugendherbergen

What Jugendherbergen does

Jugendherbergen (Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk, DJH) is the German Youth Hostel Association, a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1909 that operates approximately 400 youth hostels across Germany through a federated structure of 14 regional state associations (Landesverbände). The organization operates under the formal patronage of the German Federal President, currently Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and is a member of Hostelling International, which provides reciprocal access to more than 3,000 youth hostels worldwide. DJH employs 251–500 staff and serves a diverse customer base including families, school groups, sports teams, music groups, conference attendees, solo travelers, and youth organizations, holding a 4.4/5 customer rating across 55,927 reviews.

DJH generates revenue through accommodation fees (€28–€57.60 per person per night), conference and event packages (€180–€200 per person), annual membership fees, catering services, and structured activity programs. Of the approximately 400 hostels, 184 are equipped for conferences and corporate events, representing a deliberate vertical extension from traditional group/youth travel into the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) segment. The organization holds recognized certifications including "Reisen für Alle" (national accessibility certification) and BildungPLUS (educational quality), and operates under GDPR compliance. The technology footprint consists of a central website and the DJH-App for booking and member services; no proprietary AI, machine-learning, or advanced analytics capabilities are evident.

The business model is non-profit and member-supported, with no public revenue disclosure, no equity funding rounds, and no M&A activity. Growth is driven organically through property development, conference business expansion, themed hostel sub-branding (music, sports, school, family), and incremental digital modernization rather than external capital deployment or acquisition.

Name

Jugendherbergen

Legal name

Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk Hauptverband für Jugendwandern und Jugendherbergen e.V.

Website

https://jugendherberge.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Jugendherbergen (DJH) is a German non-profit association, founded in 1909, operating approximately 400 youth hostels across Germany through 14 regional associations, serving families, school groups, sports teams, conference clients, and youth travelers with accommodation, catering, and educational programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Hostel Accommodation Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (7213), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK)

Keywords

• Youth hostel accommodation
• Group travel services
• School trip programs
• Conference seminar venues
• Family vacation lodging

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Overnight Accommodation: Core revenue from overnight stays in approximately 400 youth hostels across Germany. Prices vary by location and season, with dormitory and private room options available.
2. Conference and Seminar Services: Revenue from hosting conferences, seminars, and workshops with Tagungsangebot packages (Basic at €180/pers., Premium at €200/pers.) including accommodation, meals, and meeting facilities.
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees that provide discounts on stays and additional benefits. Members receive priority booking and reduced rates.
4. Catering and Meals: On-site dining services including breakfast, half-board, and full-board options, as well as conference catering.
5. Activity Programs: Supplementary revenue from organized activities, camps, team-building programs, and educational workshops (e.g., Sprachcamps, Sportcamps, Naturcamps).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk (DJH) operates a network of approximately 400 youth hostels across all 16 German federal states, providing affordable accommodation for families, school groups, individual travelers, sports teams, and conference attendees. The organization also delivers supplementary services including children's holiday camps (language, sports, nature, and creative camps), group travel packages (music retreats, training camps, youth exchanges), and conference/seminar facilities with full-board catering and meeting technology.

Product overview

Jugendherbergen (DJH - Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk) operates a network of approximately 400 youth hostels across Germany, offering accommodation and travel services. The core offering consists of hostel accommodations supplemented by a mobile app for booking and discovery, a membership program with discounts, and an online shop. Service categories include school trips (Klassenfahrten), family vacations, group travel (music retreats, training camps), children's holiday camps (language, sports, nature), and conferences/seminars. Many hostels carry thematic designations (Sport, Natur, Kultur, Familie) indicating specialized facilities and programs. Conference services offer tiered packages (Basic and Premium) with accommodation, AV equipment, and team-building activities. The company is part of Hostelling International with over 3,000 hostels worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DJH-App: Mobile application for finding, booking, and discovering youth hostels

Products and services

• Youth Hostel Accommodation Approximately 400 youth hostels across Germany offering budget accommodation for travelers of all ages, with various themed properties including sports, nature, culture, and family-focused hostels. Prices start from €28.00 per person with breakfast.
• School Trips (Klassenfahrten)
• Family Vacations (Familienurlaub)
• Group Travel (Gruppenreisen) Group travel services including music retreats (Musikfreizeit), training camps (Trainingslager) for football, handball, hockey, and athletics, city trips (Städtereisen), and international youth encounters (Jugendbegegnung) for organized groups and clubs.
• Children's Holiday Camps (Kinderfreizeiten) Supervised holiday camps for children and teenagers aged 6-17, including language camps (Sprachcamps), sports camps (Sportcamps), nature camps (Naturcamps), and creative camps covering theater, film, dance, music, magic, and creativity.
• Conferences and Seminars (Tagungen & Seminare) Conference and seminar facilities at 184 youth hostels with modern AV equipment, team-building activities, full catering, and meeting rooms. Tagungsangebot Basic at €180 per person and Premium at €200 per person include accommodation, meals, and meeting facilities.
• Solo Travel (Alleine Reisen)
• DJH Membership Program Annual membership program offering discounts on overnight stays, exclusive benefits, priority booking, and reduced rates for various services. Available for individuals and groups.
• DJH-App Mobile application for finding, booking, and discovering youth hostels, enabling convenient trip planning and mobile access to bookings on smartphones and tablets.
• DJH-Shop Online shop offering travel journals, catalogs, merchandise, and related travel products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Guest satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 55,927 reviews
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hostelling InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDJH is a member of Hostelling International, the world federation of youth hostels with over 3,000 locations globally. This partnership enables international booking, cross-promotion, and access to a global network of youth hostels for members.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wombat's Hostels: European hostel operator with German city locations (Munich, Berlin), offering dormitory and private room accommodation in the same budget segment as DJH.
• Hostelling International (HI): Global federation of youth hostel associations of which DJH is a member; comparable membership-driven, non-profit hostel networks exist in every major market (e.g., YHA in UK/Australia, HI USA).
• Generator Hostels: Design-led European hostel chain operating in multiple German cities, competing for the same youth, family, and group traveler segment with a stronger lifestyle brand positioning.
• a&o Hostels: Largest privately-owned hostel chain in Germany and Europe with ~40 properties, directly competing with DJH on budget group, family, and school travel across German cities at comparable price points.
• YHA Australia: Australian counterpart to DJH operating a national network of youth hostels under a similar non-profit, membership-driven model — directly comparable in operating philosophy and customer segments.
• HI USA (Hostelling International USA): US non-profit youth hostel association with a national network of properties, directly analogous to DJH in mission, membership structure, and youth/family/group traveler focus.
• MEININGER Hotels: European budget hotel-hostel hybrid chain with strong German presence, targeting the same family, group, and budget-conscious traveler segments with modern design and competitive pricing.

Broad incumbents

• B&B Hotels: European budget hotel chain with broad German footprint, offering low nightly rates with consistent quality — competes with DJH for the family and individual budget traveler segment.
• Motel One Group: German budget design hotel chain that competes for price-sensitive travelers and corporate clients with modern, consistent product; overlaps with DJH's conference and family travel demand.

Regional players

• Schullandheime (German School Camp Network): Network of German Schullandheime (school country homes) that directly competes with DJH for Klassenfahrten bookings, particularly in primary school and youth group segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@JugendherbergeDE
• Facebookfacebook.com/Jugendherberge
• Instagraminstagram.com/jugendherberge
• Xx.com/djhhessen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jugendherbergen