The winners of the Global Youth Travel Awards 2016 – in partnership with Destination Canada and International Experience Canada – were announced yesterday, 23 September during the concluding event of this year’s World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Belgrade.
Having drawn an impressive number of nominations and votes, the award categories celebrate the outstanding performers within the youth, student and educational travel industry and act as a benchmark for excellence within this fast-growing sector.
David Chapman, Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation, said:
“The calibre of nominations improves every year across all award categories and is once again truly outstanding. Despite the unsettled nature of travel as a whole, with terrorism and political unrest halting tourism in some areas, youth travel remains resilient. Not only do young people continue to travel during difficult times, but the agencies and organisations helping them also continue to offer new products and services that meet the needs of young travellers.”
Winner: Alliance Abroad Group
Runner up: Trek to Teach
Honourable mention: Anyway Plus
Winner: YHA New Zealand
Runner up: Swiss Youth Hostels
Honourable mention: Stayokay
Winner: STA Travel
Runner up: EF Education First
Honourable mention: Jucy Rentals
Winner: Greenheart Travel
Runner up: African Adventures
Honourable mention: Pod Volunteer
Winner: Austern International
Runner up: Wanderbrief
Honourable mention: The Intern Group
BEST EDUCATION ABROAD PROVIDER
Winner: Sentio
Runner up: EduTours Africa
Honourable mention: Wild China
BEST SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVE
Winner: STA Travel
Runner up: 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking & Empowering Women of Nepal – EWN
Honourable mention: Ayana Journeys
BEST YOUTH TRAVEL BLOGGER
Winner: iamella.com
Runner up: That Backpacker
Honourable mention: Run Towards Travel
Winner: Generator
Runner up: Meininger
Honourable mention: Safestay
Winner: I Love Travel
Runner up: Rustic Pathways
Honourable mention: Bus 2 Alps
Winner: StudentUniverse
Runner up: STA Travel
Honourable mention: Rustic Pathways