HI-USA Annual Report
A copy of the complete 2010 Annual Report is available in PDF format.
A copy of 2010 Financial Statements is available in PDF format.
2010 Message from the chair and the Chief Executive Officer:
Dear Friends,
“Share” is a single word that describes so much of what we do: sharing accommodations, sharing conversations, and sharing experiences. By facilitating sharing, HI-USA accomplishes its mission of helping all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people.
HI-USA has developed over time a prolific record of mission achievement. This past year our results, like many others’, were shaped by the “Great Recession”. Even so, we can be proud of our accomplishments:
- Hostel overnights declined, but by less than 5 percent…a smaller drop than most others in the travel economy.
- Activity and program participation increased more than 15 percent…as more hostellers jumped into our offerings than ever before.
- HI-USA was named one of the top three hostel networks in the world by an independent rating service…and five our hostels were named among the International Youth Hostel Federation’s Top 10 Worldwide.
When people stay in our hostels and participate in our programs, we are providing fertile ground for interaction and friendships. Hostelling’s own form of “sharing” takes root.
We have accomplished much, but are not standing still. Here are two exciting examples.
We have a new location for our HI-Boston hostel, which has operated for 25 years. A historic 6-story building is being purchased and renovated in downtown Boston, close to Boston Public Garden and adjacent to public transportation. More than twice as large as the current hostel, the new facility will enable us to welcome more than 40,000 visitors annually. Currently 65 percent of visitors are from outside the United States, and many are visiting Boston for the first time.
We also are taking a look at new ways we can deliver our mission to more people and use even more wisely our limited resources. In September 2009, a task force of volunteers and staff from across HI-USA was appointed to take a fresh look at how we are organized. With their report delivered to the National Board of Directors a year later, HI-USA will be considering a restructuring to increase mission effectiveness, and reduce costs and duplication. As a stakeholder in our success, we will update you on the specifics of the proposal early in 2011.
In 2009, we celebrated the storied past of HI-USA. In 2010 and beyond, we are seeking to build on that foundation in new and exciting ways. Each of us in our own way has helped make HI-USA what it is today; together, let’s create an even stronger tomorrow for hostelling!
Mark Skender |
Russell Hedge CEO and Executive Director |
We participate in GuideStar, the standard for nonprofit accountability. To take a look at our listing, click the GuideStar logo.
