Quarterly board meeting held June 7th in 
St. Petersburg, Florida at HI-Florida President Ray Plato's home.

Some of the items discussed at the board meeting were:

Mr. Plato served lunch at the conclusion of the meeting and a tour of the new St. Petersburg hostel followed.

Those in attendance were: Jim Coppens, Jerry Krebs, Dotty McConneghy, Ray Plato, Eduardo Sacoto, Scott Simmons and John Stevens

Girl Scouts© Go Hostelling

Imagine a world where intercultural dialogue and responsible travel are part of every individual's experience. It's the sort of world that Hostelling International-USA doesn't just dream about - it's a world we are hard at work creating. And now, through a dynamic new initiative, Hostelling International-USA is taking exciting steps forward towards fulfilling its mission of international understanding and exchange.

International Background: In the summer of 2002, the International Youth Hostel Federation launched a global "Youth Hostelling for Peace and International Understanding" initiative. Created in "response to the dramatic, violent conflicts that tear cultures and nations apart," Hostelling International, as a worldwide organization, saw the great need to work together to strengthen our global community. "Youth Hostelling for Peace and International Understanding" is designed to highlight the intercultural dialogue and understanding taking place in over 4,000 hostels in more than 60 countries around the world.

In the United States: At the same time the international program was being developed, national organizations like Hostelling International-USA (HI-USA) were asked to develop their own initiatives that built on the international theme.

Now, HI-USA is pleased to announce the launch of Opening Doors, Opening Minds for members, travelers and the public in the United States. The purpose of this initiative is:

To build a new generation of global citizens, who are

Together we will encourage meaningful experiences with other people, places and cultures through hostelling.

"Opening Doors, Opening Minds" will come to life through several programs designed to foster local and global community interactions, and to celebrate the mission of hostelling. The initiative will also seek to embrace partnerships between like-minded organizations and businesses. 

Ways To Contribute

In order for Opening Doors, Opening Minds to grow, we need your involvement. Please share your hostelling story, consider creating a community wall, and be sure to come back to this web site often to see how you can volunteer your time and resources. Your financial contributions are also very important in making this initiative a success. You can contribute money to support individual travel scholarships, sponsor community walls, or help out with the international youth exchanges. All contributions of $25 or more will receive an Opening Doors, Opening Minds picture frame/post card. In the near future, there will also be specific sponsorship opportunities. Click here to make a contribution.

A Call For Stories
Click here to read stories

Anyone who has ever spent a little time in a hostel common room knows that hostellers are full of good stories. Tales of unexpected journeys, fascinating people, and wonderful discoveries all seem to flow after a good day of exploration.

Now, here at HI-USA, we want to start collecting and sharing great hostelling stories as part of our new Opening Doors, Opening Minds Initiative. And while we love all travel stories, we primarily want to know your story about how hostelling has impacted your life. Has hostelling broadened your horizons? Changed your outlook? Challenged your perceptions? We want to hear about it! We would also welcome your thoughts about how hostelling can impact society as a whole.

Click here to read some hostelling stories already submitted. More stories will be added in the months ahead. In the future, we will also occasionally feature some stories in our monthly e-newsletter HI-USA Travel Bytes. Authors of featured stories will be sure to get recognition and a special gift of thanks. Click here to contribute you story.

New Hostels in Development for Tampa Bay Area

HI-Florida President Ray Plato has been very busy lately.  Two hostels, one in historic downtown St. Petersburg and the other on the waterfront of Tampa are in the planning stages.

Tampa Hostel
The Tampa Hostel is in the development stages with the city of Tampa and the University of Tampa.  The hostel will be part-owned by the University of Tampa and a group of citizens interested in scull boat racing.  The hostel will be closed for two winter months and used exclusively for sculling training for Ivy League teams across the country and the rest of the year will operate as a hostel.  The hostel plans to have 100 dorm-style beds and a self-service kitchen.

Construction to begin later this year in downtown Tampa overlooking the new proposed multi-million dollar Art Gallery and on the Hillsborough River.  HI-USA affiliation pending.

International Hostelling
President Ray Plato is also assisting in the development of a hostel in Cuenca, Ecuador.  The existing building is a hotel that will be converted in the downtown area.  At the moment Ecuador has only one hostel located in Quito.