Bad Homburg (dpa/lhe) - After the earlier corona travel restrictions, the Hessian youth hostels are expecting one of their busiest months in recent years in September. "Over 70,000 overnight stays will take place in the 25 youth hostels in Hesse during this time," said the state's youth hostel association on Tuesday. Board member Klaus Becker explained: "Not even before the pandemic were such overnight stays the standard." There were already similar numbers in May and July 2022. According to the association, there is "some catching up to do". After the end of the Hessian school holidays this Sunday, a "high school trip season" starts again.
At the same time, the youth hostel association reminded of "severely increased purchase prices for energy and food as well as necessary wage adjustments in the personnel area". CEO Becker explained: "We had to raise our prices for 2023, in some cases significantly. A balancing act that was not an easy step for us as a non-profit institution in times of almost double-digit inflation." However, the guests were largely understanding. In winter, around half of Hessian youth hostels also offer greatly reduced prices. School trips for children from poorer families could be funded through the Education and Participation program, and some school sponsorship associations would also provide support.
