Schweizer Jugendherbergen - Swiss Youth Hostels

What Schweizer Jugendherbergen - Swiss Youth Hostels does

Schweizer Jugendherbergen (Swiss Youth Hostels) is a Zürich-based non-profit association founded in 1924 that operates approximately 50 youth hostels across Switzerland and Liechtenstein, serving budget-conscious travelers, families, school groups, associations, corporate clients, and travelers with disabilities. The organization is governed as a Verein (association) under the Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism and functions as the Swiss national member of Hostelling International, granting members access to 2,500+ hostels in 57 countries. Over 650 employees (350+ FTE) operate the network, which has received multiple ibex fairstay sustainability certifications and is over 75% barrier-free.

The commercial offering centers on accommodation (dormitory, family, and private rooms), supplemented by the proprietary Yoummi food and beverage concept (CHF 19.50 three-course menus, vegetarian-first, free refill stations, 24-hour Selfkiosk), a unified mobile booking app for iOS/Android with digital membercard, merchandise via e-guma, corporate seminar facilities, and event venues including the castle property Schloss Burgdorf. Technology infrastructure is built on WordPress with Vercel frontend, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, and Piwik analytics.

The revenue model is hybrid: transaction-based accommodation (with CHF 7/night member discount), recurring membership subscriptions across eight tiers (CHF 0 for schools, CHF 15-30 annual individual tiers, CHF 100 group, CHF 1,000 lifetime, CHF 100+ patron support), transaction-based F&B, professional services for events and seminars, and merchandise. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via youthhostel.ch and the mobile app, with sales-led motion for schools, groups, and corporate accounts — including bundled travel packages with SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). Active expansion includes the new Geneva Youth Hostel (mid-2026) and Savognin Youth Hostel (December 2026).

Name

Schweizer Jugendherbergen - Swiss Youth Hostels

Legal name

Schweizer Jugendherbergen

Website

https://youthhostel.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Schweizer Jugendherbergen is a Zürich-based non-profit association, founded in 1924, operating approximately 50 budget youth hostels across Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It serves young travelers, families, schools, groups, corporate clients, and travelers with disabilities as the Swiss member of Hostelling International.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Hostel Accommodation Services

NAICS

Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (7213), Traveler Accommodation (7211), Accommodation (721)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Student & Youth Hostels (Youth Organization/HI-style) (THAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Traditional Dormitory Hostels (THAGAGAA), Backpacker Guesthouses & Budget Inns (THAMAIAI)

Keywords

• Youth hostel accommodation
• Budget travel lodging
• Membership travel program
• Group travel services
• Hostel network booking

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Accommodation: Nightly stays in approximately 50 hostels across Switzerland. Revenue from room bookings across various room types (dormitory, family rooms, double rooms). Non-member and member pricing with CHF 7 discount per person per night for members.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees ranging from CHF 0 (school groups) to CHF 1,000 (lifetime). Standard memberships at CHF 15-30 per year. Additional household members at CHF 15 per year. Group/organization memberships at CHF 100 per year.
3. Merchandise: Sale of vouchers and fan articles through e-guma shop. Practical travel accessories and stylish must-haves for adventurers.
4. Event Venues & Catering: Revenue from event hosting including weddings (Schloss Burgdorf), corporate events, seminars. Catering services with 3-course meals at CHF 19.50 for adults, children's pricing available.
5. Food & Beverage: On-site dining through Yoummi gastronomy concept. 3-course menus, self-service topping stations, and Selfkiosk 24-hour convenience. Also includes restaurant locations like Restaurant Schloss Burgdorf, Beizli am See, and BiBlau Laax.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Schweizer Jugendherbergen operates a network of approximately 50 youth hostels across Switzerland and Liechtenstein, providing affordable accommodation in dormitories, family rooms, and private rooms. The association runs a tiered membership program (Membercard) that grants per-night discounts and access to 2,500+ hostels worldwide through the Hostelling International network, complemented by the proprietary Yoummi gastronomy brand, event hosting at landmark venues, and corporate seminar facilities.

Product overview

Schweizer Jugendherbergen operates a portfolio of approximately 50 youth hostels across Switzerland and Liechtenstein as the Swiss national association of Hostelling International. The core product is budget accommodation (shared dormitories, family rooms, private rooms) supplemented by an in-house mobile app for booking and digital membership cards, the Yoummi dining and catering concept at select hostels, and event/banqueting services at landmark venues like Schloss Burgdorf. Additional revenue streams include vouchers and merchandise, corporate seminar facilities, and school trip packages. The membership program (Membercard) spans multiple tiers from youth to lifetime, providing per-night discounts and access to partner deals and the global HI network of 2,500+ hostels worldwide. New hostel openings in Geneva (mid-2026) and Savognin (December 2026) are among recent expansions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yoummi: Gastronomy and food & beverage concept operating restaurants and bistros within youth hostels, including the Selfkiosk 24-hour service.
• Schloss Burgdorf

Products and services

• Swiss Youth Hostels Accommodation Network
• Swiss Youth Hostel Mobile App
• Yoummi Food and Drink Concept
• Membercard Membership Program
• Events and Weddings Hosting
• Company Seminars and Team Events
• School Programs
• Vouchers and Fan Articles
• Hostelling International Global Network Access

Quantifiable outcome

• CHF 7 discount per person per night for members
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hostelling InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Youth Hostels are the Swiss member of Hostelling International, a global network operating hostels in 57 countries with approximately 2,500 properties. Members receive access to member pricing at all HI hostels worldwide.
• TransaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner deal offering 10% discount on travel and outdoor equipment at all Transa shops for members. Part of member benefit program.
• ibex fairstaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability certification partner. Multiple hostels have received Best of ibex fairstay awards (Engelberg 2025, Locarno 2024, Saas-Fee 2023, Pontresina/Zürich 2021, St. Moritz 2020).
• myclimatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate protection partner. Received myclimate Award 2016. Partners on carbon reduction initiatives.
• Schweizer WanderwegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss Hiking Trails organization. Partner for hiking content and promotion. Joint Walk and Talk community events.
• SchweizMobilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for cycling and outdoor activity promotion. Joint content and activity packages.
• Schweizer WanderwegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss Hiking organization. Partner for community events like Walk and Talk and hiking content.
• Outdoor Escape GamesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPS-based outdoor escape games combining geocaching and augmented reality at selected hostels. Experience partner for team activities.
• SBB (Swiss Federal Railways)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial travel offers for schools, groups, clubs, and companies to reach hostels and excursion destinations. Discounted public transport packages.
• MinergiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss energy efficiency building standard. Multiple hostels hold Minergie certification for sustainable construction.
• Barrierefreie SchweizminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss accessibility organization. Partner for barrier-free travel initiatives.
• Denk an michminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss organization for accessibility. Partner for inclusive travel programs.
• Energie-Agentur der WirtschaftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy Agency for Swiss Business. Partner for energy efficiency initiatives.
• Gastro ChartaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss gastronomy sustainability charter. Partner for Yoummi food concept sustainability.
• KulturLegiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss culture pass for people with limited means. Partner for accessible cultural experiences.
• Max HavelaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFairtrade Switzerland. Partner for fair trade product sourcing in hostels.
• NikinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss tree-planting organization. Partner for sustainability initiatives.
• plantedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss plant-based food company. Partner for sustainable food options.
• öbuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss business association for sustainable development. Partner for sustainability strategy.
• Avenches TourismusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism organization for Avenches. Partner for community events.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ibis Budget (Accor): Pan-European budget hotel brand under Accor with 600+ properties. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the same budget accommodation space; targets price-sensitive travelers but operates as standardized hotels rather than hostels.

Direct peers

• MEININGER Hotels: European hybrid hostel/hotel chain with 35+ properties in prime urban locations (Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam, etc.). Directly comparable as a branded budget accommodation operator targeting similar young and family travelers with multi-bed and private rooms.
• Wombats Hostels: Austrian-based hostel chain operating in Munich, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, and London. Directly comparable as a European youth hostel competitor with similar dormitory-led model and group/individual traveler focus.
• Generator Hostels: Pan-European design hostel brand with properties in major cities (Paris, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam). Directly comparable as a youth-oriented hostel operator competing for the same European budget-traveler segment with differentiated design and social programming.
• Youth Hostel Association England & Wales (YHA): British national youth hostel association operating 150+ hostels across England and Wales. Directly comparable as a fellow HI-affiliated national association with similar member-funded operations, school group programs, and property portfolio in a different geography.
• Hostelling International: Global federation of national youth hostel associations operating 2,500+ hostels in 57 countries. SJH is the Swiss member and uses HI's international booking platform — directly comparable as the umbrella network and standards body for youth hostel operations.
• Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk (DJH): German national youth hostel association, the largest HI member with over 400 hostels. Directly comparable as a fellow national HI association operating a member-funded, mission-driven hostel network in a neighboring market.
• a]o Hostels: Austrian-headquartered European hostel chain with properties in Vienna, Amsterdam, Prague, and other cities. Directly comparable as a budget hostel operator in the DACH region targeting similar young traveler demographics with multi-bed and private configurations.
• St Christopher's Inn: European hostel brand with locations in London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Directly comparable as a youth-focused hostel competitor targeting backpacker and budget leisure segments with attached bar/social venues.

Emerging players

• Airbnb: Global alternative accommodation marketplace. Comparable as a major competitive force reshaping the budget and unique-stay accommodation market that SJH serves, particularly in mountain and unique-venue segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SwissYouthHostels
• Facebookfacebook.com/youthhostel.ch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swiss-youthhostels
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthhostel_ch

Compliance22 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Schweizer Jugendherbergen - Swiss Youth Hostels