Growth and Transformation: 1980-2000
1980 was marked by the opening of a large urban hostel in San Francisco, in partnership with the National Park Service. By decades end, major hostels were opened in Boston, Miami, Santa Monica, Seattle and Washington, DC.
Growth continued throughout the 1990’s, as major hostels opened in Chicago, New York, Orlando, San Diego and San Francisco. A strategic plan adopted in 1994 confirmed an ambitious vision of developing hostels in major cities and offering programs nationwide.
The International Youth Hostel Federation positioned the international movement for growth in the mid 1990’s with the adoption of new hostel quality standards. It also embraced a common global name, “Hostelling International” and the blue triangle logo.
As the U.S. affiliate of IYHF, AYH embraced “Hostelling International” and the blue triangle, and adopted a more focused hostel quality program. “Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels” (or “HI-AYH”) emerged.