A report produced following an 18 month internal review of the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA) recommends that 7 out of the network’s 53 hostels be closed and sold.
 
The Chief Executive and senior management team were tasked to review the performance and long-term sustainability of the hostel network and the management structure of the Association. Recommendations aim to reduce fixed running costs and increase income to enable sufficient investment to provide accommodation and services that meet the needs of today’s traveller.
 
In addition to the closures the report recommends a management restructure that will introduce a more flexible and efficient use of staff and resources to ensure the viability of individual hostels. As a result staffing and management of a number of hostels will alter to reflect seasonal and local needs. It is anticipated that changes will enable us to maximise the potential of each property to improve the visitor experience.

At a meeting on Saturday 1st September 2007, The National Executive committee accepted these recommendations.
 
Hostels marked for closure are: Armadale, Coldingham, Glendevon, Inverey, Killin, Kyleakin and Loch Lochy. In addition a storage facility in Stirling, a plot of land in Cargen, a disused building in Cannich and a former hostel in Whiting Bay will be sold.  A review of the Hostel Services and HR functions in the SYHA’s National Office will also take place as part of the restructure.

It is anticipated that the recommendations will be implemented in phases with Phase 1 of the restructure in place by February 2008 and Phase 2 by February 2009.
 
It is intended that this restructure will result in the minimum of job losses and will enable the Association to go forward as a more sustainable, modern, efficient and effective operation.
 
The SYHA regrets the need to close a small number of our hostels, unfortunately there is no benefit in keeping the affected properties open if associated costs of maintaining and improving the buildings to meet the requirements of current legislation and visitor demands mean that the hostels are not viable or if they are in unpopular locations.
 
The accepted recommendations also include exploring the viability of adding new hostels to the SYHA’s network of budget accommodation in more popular locations as well as continuing with the ongoing upgrading programme to reflect visitor feedback and market trends.
 
Please be assured that the SYHA remains completely committed to our hostel network, and in particular to those small hostels in remote areas such as Glen Affric and Loch Ossian, which are not viable for commercial operators.   

As part of the Hostelling International network which incorporates 63 countries worldwide, SYHA aims to offer visitors the best possible facilities.

Our ongoing review has resulted in many of our properties being refurbished and upgraded to provide smaller rooms, with en-suite facilities to suit to couples, families and smaller groups.
 
As a not-for-profit organisation with charitable status, SYHA has a duty to make best use of funds and resources. The Association will continue to monitor its performance and re-invest any funds generated from the disposal of properties to support the remaining hostel network and help fund future development, including exploring the potential to add new properties and locations to add to our network.
 
For further information please contact Ann Confrey in our Public Relations Section on Tel: 0131 468 7055 Mob: 07968 314 879 or email marketing@syha.org.uk