In 1912, the first Hostel for young people was created in Germany by Richard Schirrmann. It emerged out as a consequence of German Youth Movement, reflecting the ideology to provide fresh air and accommodation to city’s poor youngsters. The youths were required to extensively self-manage the hostel; performing chores to maintain costs, while building moral, social, physiological and psychological well-being. The concept spread rapidly overseas and resulted in Hostelling International, an organization composed of more than 90 different Youth Hostel Associations (YHA) representing 4500 Youth Hostels across 80 countries. Within the ‘traveller’ category, Youth Hostels Perth, Australia refers to these hostels as backpackers’.
