Israel Youth Hostel Association

Israel Youth Hostel Association (IYHA) is a non-profit public association founded in 1937, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. Its main fields of activity are accommodation, hospitality, tourism, and organizing and guiding tours for individuals, families and groups from Israel and abroad at convenient prices. IYHA is a member of Hostelling International, a federation of nearly 4,000 hostels worldwide, and a full partner in international activities held under the federation's auspices.

The Israel Youth Hostel Association (IYHA) was founded in 1937 during the British Mandate period in Palestine. Its establishment was initiated by a small group of pioneers who had learned the paths of the country on foot, at a time when there were no roads, marked hiking trails or organized transportation. On 21 March 1937, a first meeting was held at the offices of the Education Department of the National Committee to discuss founding an association of youth hostels in Palestine. The association was called "Association of Palestinian Youth Hostels", abbreviated as IYHA. In 1938, the Education Department of the National Committee extended its official patronage over the association, and since then IYHA has operated under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. In 1939, IYHA was registered as an Ottoman association at the offices of the district governor of Jerusalem of the British Mandate. According to its founding documents, the association's goal was "to improve accommodation conditions in Palestine in order to ease for those interested, especially youth, the knowledge of the country, closeness to nature and development of social life". The first hostel was established in 1939 in Kibbutz Vitkin in the Hefer Valley on land purchased from KKL. In 1954, IYHA was accepted as a full member of the World Federation of Youth Hostels. The World Federation of Youth Hostels (IYHF), recognized by UNESCO, was founded in 1932 with the aim of educating youth and young people about nature and environmental preservation, appreciation of cultural and heritage values, tolerance, acceptance of the other and community volunteering. The first youth hostel in the world was established in Germany in 1914 by Richard Schirrmann, a German teacher who sought to establish a network of basic hostels to enable young people to take multi-day trips throughout the country, including areas far from their homes.

Non-profit public association providing accommodation, tourism and tour-guiding services, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and affiliated with Hostelling International.

Product categories. Youth hostels · Accommodation services · Hospitality services · Tourism services · Organized and guided tours

1. 1אנ"א - רשת אכסניות ישראליותiyha.org.il
2. 2הסיפור שלנו - אכסניות אנ"אiyha.org.il
3. 3wikidata.orgwikidata.org