The bi-annual International Conference & General Meeting of the International Youth hostel Federation (IYHF) operating as Hostelling International (HI) will celebrate its 50th edition this year at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand from 3 – 6 August 2014.

Nearly 120 delegates representing 47 different National Associations member of HI, one of the worlds biggest membership organisations, will meet this August to discuss and approve motions that will shape the future of this historical youth movement.

The delegates will have three full working days to discuss the core acheivements and development strategy for the Network. The main topics on the agenda will be the election of a new Board of Trustees, the Core Values and Philosophy of Youth Hostelling, individual membership and adoption of reports and motions.

The organisation has come a long way since its foundation in 1932 especially over the past two years with the implementation of a new website and booking engine. However big the digital revolution is the Youth Hostelling movement has never parted with its sustainable vision of travel and long standing mission to enable global interactions and offer friendly, affordable accommoadation to all.

Edith Arnoult-Brill, HI President says:"The values of Youth Hostelling are a key component of the agenda and a very symbolic one for this 50th International Conference. They are the pillars supporting the HI Brand and the business. They reflect the HI commitment based on the principles of:

• Freedom to travel and equality of travellers
• Right to learn by experience
• Obligation to sustainability

With these strong pillars we can continue to build a sustainable future of the Youth Hostel Movement."

The HI President, Edith Arnoult-Brill and HI CEO, Mikael Hansson will be available in Bangkok for interviews upon request Friday 1 August (see contact details below).

The event could not have taken place without the support of the local association HI Thailand, representing 33 hostels throughout the country and the professionalism of the staff at the Conference venue.

Note to editors:
About Hostelling International (HI)

• HI is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation representing 69 member Associations and 4 Associate Organisations all over the world.
• We work closely with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
• Around 4,000 hostels within 85 countries
• 35.3 million overnights per year
• 26 million GBP annual revenue on hihostels.com
• With 4 million members, HI is one of the world's largest youth membership organisations, and is the only global network of Youth Hostel Associations.

For further information see the Annual Report http://www.mouse-trap.co.uk/HIAnnualReport2013/ or viait www.hihostels.com.