ESC: HI ECO Communicator

Farfuglar ses - Hostelling International (HI) Iceland is a non-governmental and non-profit membership organization established in 1939. The organisation is a member of Hostelling International (HI), a global network of Youth Hostel Associations, of over 4000 hostels with members in more than 80 countries. Membership means that the Icelandic hostels fulfil the international standards for HI Hostels. The global organisation´s mission as stated in its constitution: Opening the World to Youth: “To promote the education of all young people of all nations, but especially young people of limited means, by encouraging in them a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside and an appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities in all parts of the world, and as an ancillary thereto, to provide hostels or other accommodation in which there shall be no distinction of race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, class or political opinions and thereby develop a better understanding of their fellow men, both at home and abroad.” HI Iceland´s mission is to support sustainable and responsible tourism as well as cultural diversity. HI Iceland´s core values are Respect, Broad-mindedness and Hospitality. The main strategy is: 1. Emphasis on hospitality to ensure the best experience for guests. 2. Ensure that environmental issues and sustainability are the main focus of the work. 3. All communications are characterised by tolerance, respect, and kindness. 4. Strengthen professionalism and joy as key factors of the work. 5. Share the importance of nature and nature-related experiences. 6. Increase awareness about multiculturalism and diversity being key features of a modern society Hostelling also has a fundamental, but unofficial, role in the development of young people as future employees in a global market, which is one of our target groups. The hostel environment encourages social awareness and the importance of living in a community, plus it develops the kind of self-discipline skills that result from experiencing different situations, having to make individual decisions and learning from them. ECO conscious travellers are also a target group.