Sydney Declaration

Against the backdrop of increasing consolidation of major Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), a group of leading hostels and industry associations met during WYSTC Sydney in 2013 to formulate a position statement regarding online distribution practices.

The group stated in 2013 “Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and youth travel accommodation operators are mutually dependent. OTAs have benefited by broadening the variety of product they offer, while youth travel accommodation providers have gained distribution to customers in markets where they are less well known. Youth travellers have gained most – from being able to access a broad range of accommodation options, coupled with customer reviews and location content.

Nevertheless the accommodation operators are the ultimate providers of the product; they alone should determine where it is sold and at what price. There is thus a need for a sensible reset to be found in a relationship which, over time, has become less and less commercially balanced. A number of fair practices need to be established to ensure product sovereignty rests with the operators. Equally OTAs that provide genuine value to operators can be assured of continued support in terms of competitive product and good availability.”

What followed was the first version of the Sydney Declaration. Since 2013 the hostel industry has debated, revised and updated the Sydney Declaration. Please click the links below for more information on the background of the Sydney Declaration, who has signed it and how to sign it yourself.

  

Sydney Declaration 2017

Addressing the relationship between Online Travel Agents and Hostels

Agreements between Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and Hostels should be reflective of the following principles:

  1. OTAs should seek prior approval from Hostels for using property and/or brand names in advertisements and promotions;
  2. Agreements should be based on a legal framework that does not require or enforce rate and availability parity;
  3. Agreements should include fair and reasonable notice periods and times;
  4. Agreements should be written in plain and precise language;
  5. Agreements should be in line with trade, competition and consumer laws in the Hostel’s and OTA’s jurisdictions;
  6. Agreements should not require Hostels to indemnify OTAs for tax obligations on commissions;
  7. Agreements should ensure that commission to OTAs is only paid for consumed bookings;
  8. OTAs should treat all Hostels equally regardless of size and location;
  9. OTAs should provide Hostels with all required personal information including email addresses to allow the provision of efficient and personalised services to guests. (A positive relationship between the Hostel and guest will also be positive for the OTA);
  10. Agreements should ensure that OTAs provide all personal information required to comply with all applicable laws in the Hostel’s jurisdiction;
  11. Agreements should ensure that OTAs can only offer rooms/beds at rates set by the Hostel operator. OTAs should not offer a given bed/room at different rates in different locations depending on the country or city from which the OTA is accessed. OTAs should not be able to undercut the rates as given to them by the Hostel without permission;
  12. Agreements should ensure that Hostels can determine their own cancellation policies;
  13. Agreements should ensure that OTAs do not advertise alternatives for the same nights to guests who have confirmed with a Hostel on their system;
  14. Agreements should ensure that Hostels do not have to honour or hold bookings for which a credit card has been declined and an alternative has not been charged.

Declaration signees to date

Organisation nameCountry
Milhouse HostelArgentina
Nomads World Hotels & Base BackpackersAustralia
YHA AustraliaAustralia
Les Auberges de Jeunesse asblBelgium
Vlaamse Jeugdherbergen (VJH)Belgium
Hostelling International BoliviaBolivia
YWCA Hotel VancouverCanada
HI CanadaCanada
HI ChileChile
YHA ChinaChina
FIAPFrance
Independent Hostels of Germany e.V.Germany
HI Munich Park HostelGermany
MEININGER HotelsGermany
Hong Kong Youth Hostels AssociationHong Kong
Independent Holiday Hostel Association of IrelandIreland
SleepzoneIreland
Tiberias HostelIsrael
Abraham HostelsIsrael
Lebanese Youth Hostels FederationLebanon
Hans BrinkerNetherlands
WOW AmsterdamNetherlands
YHA New ZealandNew Zealand
Hostelling International SloveniaSlovenia
Once in Cape TownSouth Africa
Korea Youth Hostels AssociationSouth Korea
Agora BCNSpain
REAJ. Red Española de Albergues JuvenilesSpain
Hostelling InternationalUnited Kingdom
Clink HostelsUnited Kingdom
Astor HostelsUnited Kingdom
Hostelling International Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom
Britannia Student Services LtdUnited Kingdom
SafestayUnited Kingdom
92Y ResidenceUnited States
Hostelling International USAUnited States
YHA England & WalesUnited Kingdom
Hotel PlazaItaly
CabanaCopa & Mango Tree HostelBrazil
Swiss Youth HostelsSwitzerland
Wombat’s HostelsAustria
Agoo HostelGhana
Finnish Hostel Association Finland
Atlantic Point BackpackersSouth Africa
George BackpackersSouth Africa
Afrovibe ExperiencesSouth Africa
Freehand HotelsUnited States
Amakaya BackpackersSouth Africa
The BackpackSouth Africa
Labyrinth Hostel WeimarGermany
Hostel Lollis HomestayGermany
Brickstone Hostel Ulm/Neu-UlmGermany
Salzquartier – Hostel LüneburgGermany
Steffis HostelGermany
Hostel68Germany
Sleepy Lion Hostel LeipzigGermany
Sunflower Hostel BerlinGermany
Max Hostel BonnGermany
Heart of Gold Hostel BerlinGermany
Sleep – StationGermany
Eastern Comfort HostelboatGermany
St Christopher’s InnsUnited Kingdom
Wish U Were Here Lodge and BackpackersSouth Africa
Independent Hostels UKUnited Kingdom
Piggery Poke HostelUnited Kingdom
GastamecoItaly