Learn about Qatar Youth Hostels

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Richard Schirrmann, the leader of the international youth hostel movement, established the first permanent youth hostel in Al-Tana village in 1909. Gradually, the movement started spreading throughout most of Europe later becoming an international phenomenon. The first international conference for Youth Hostels Associations was convened in Amsterdam, Holland

In October 1932, The International Federation of Youth Hostels Associations was established and from that point on, the philosophy of the youth movement and its message started to rise, promoting peace and tolerance. The aim was to prepare young people by providing them with affordable housing and accommodation during their travels. The housing provided contained the needed elements and programs to build future leaders. In addition, these hostels were considered the perfect destinations for young people to be introduced to other cultures, build new bridges with different countries, develop an interest in the environment around them, becoming familiar with living according to a specific system as part of one team.

Later on, a group of young leaders saw the need to establish youth hostels in Qatar. The proposal was immediately submitted to the Supreme Council for Youth Welfare, which was then headed by HRH the Father Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The proposal was approved by his highness on 01/12/1986.