YHAgroup.org.uk

Recent visitors to Coniston Holly How YH will be saddened to hear of the tragic death of assistant warden Tom Sellen in a kite boarding accident. A friend has posted on his blog in memory of Tom, do go and comment there if you’d like to pay your respects.

Well, they might have missed the reopening of Skiddaw House, but that’s because the YHA Marketing team have been busy. An article on Utalkmarketing.com describes their recent efforts to reach new markets and break away from the “large dormitories, backpackers and smelly socks” image.

It’s an interesting read, and one that’s perhaps more straightforward about the changing nature of the Association and it policies than the YHA’s own communications to members. Marketing manager Alan Hopley (who some may remember from the Coalport meeting last year) has this to say:

YHA’s membership has traditionally belonged to walkers, cyclists and fans of the outdoors.

They’re largely from the ABC demographic, but it’s an aging demographic dominated by 50 and 60-year-olds.

Hopley said, “Let’s just say the average age of our members is higher than we would like. We want to keep our loyal members but also attract new blood and younger ones too.

Marketing efforts include full-page adverts in the press, posters at “train stations in key cities”, and encouraging journalists to stay at hostels and write about it.

I have reservations about some of the things YHA are doing, and still think their efforts on the internet are below-par, but wish them every success in spreading the word about the wonderful world of youth hostelling. Perhaps groups could help out somehow?…

Yet another of the 32 hostels named for closure last year has reopened its doors, albeit outside the YHA network. According to an article in the Hexham Courant:

PENNINE Way walkers and the like will be delighted to note that the youth hostel is back in action again.

After it was discarded by the YHA because its bunkhouse-style accommodation was deemed old hat, the future looked bleak.

However, the cedar wood building is now in private ownership and opened again for business a couple of weeks ago.

A day of challenge walks organised by Swansea Outdoor Group with a choice of routes of various lengths. On each route participants must call in at a series of preset checkpoints on their way round. All routes offer walking in a wide variety of terrain, visiting major points in Gower such as Arthur’s Stone, Rhosili Down, and Oxwich Bay. The routes finish where they start from with a well deserved cup of tea! The event has been running since 1993, and attracts walkers and runners from around the UK.

Visit the group’s website for more details of this event.

YHA’s mighty marketing machine has just released the news that Skiddaw House has reopened. Well, shucks guys, it’s already been open for two months, and I reported it here back in February. Oh well, better late than never I suppose…