Youth travel has been identified as the industry's fastest growing sector.

Travellers aged 16-24 now represent more than 20% of all international visitors, according to new statistics.

The growing significance of this sector has been highlighted the launch of a partnership between the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Youth & Student Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation, which represents 550 specialist youth travel organisations in 118 countries.

Their objective is to promote and develop what is claimed to be a multi-billion pound industry by encouraging governments to actively support and develop youth tourism products and services.

"Compared with average tourists, adventurous young backpackers stay longer, spend more, seek out alternative destinations and enjoy a wider mix of travel experiences," the two tourism bodies said in a statement. "However, surprisingly few countries are currently engaged in developing their own youth travel market."

Most governments have traditionally dismissed youth tourism - incorrectly - as low budget and largely ignored its potential, they added.

A study by WYSE Travel & UNWTO shows that despite the fact that 60% of countries recognise this market as fundamental to the future of their tourism industry, only a third of the world's tourism authorities have a specific student or youth tourism policy; less than a third collect statistics on this sector; only a quarter have policies for product development; and less than a third have a marketing policy.

The UNWTO and WYSE Travel Confederation will host a series of international seminars and produce a compendium of research about the positive global impact of youth travel. At the heart of this campaign will be the promotion of responsible travel habits and practices, as well as the sustainable development of tourism.  

WYSE Travel Confederation director general David Jones said: "Because of the unique motivations of young travellers, this niche market is extremely important to many of the key objectives on the global tourism agenda.

"Young travellers of today make a unique contribution to local economies and our statistics show that they invest more of their tourism spend with local community-run operations.

"We look forward to a fruitful partnership with UNWTO in delivering this message to governments and industry worldwide". 

by Phil Davies