Sustainability

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Distinctions and awards

We feel greatly honoured to have received numerous different awards. Swiss Youth Hostels is happy and grateful for all of this recognition. You can view the most important awards here:

  • «Best of ibex fairstay 2023»
    The "Best of ibex fairstay 2023" award for the best overall performance went to the wellnessHostel4000 in Saas-Fee.
  • Niesen Summit
    2022: Special prize for the "Sustainability Strategy 2007" at the Niesen Summit.
  • 2021 ICOMOS Special Award as part of the «Historic Restaurant/Hotel of the Year».
  • Audience Award 2021 for the conversion of Burgdorf Castle inclusive the youth hostel.
  • "Best of ibex fairstay 2021" Category: Highest total score
    Best of ibex fairstay 2021 - In 2021, the Swiss Youth Hostels received two awards. The award for the best regional foundation went to Pontresina Youth Hostel and the highest score was achieved by Zurich Youth Hostel.
  • «Best of ibex fairstay 2020»
    Best of ibex fairstay 2020 goes to St. Moritz Youth Hostel. Thanks to its strong commitment to the responsible use of resources.
  • Special award for our long-standing commitment and achievements towards environmental and climate protection, received on 12 January 2016.
  • myclimate Award as a ‘pioneer for integrated climate protection in the hotel industry’.
  • Second place in the Green Accommodation Initiative at the Global Youth Travel Awards 2016.
  • Watt d'Or 2015
    On 8 January 2015, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy awarded us the Watt d’Or in the category ‘Buildings and Space’.
  • 2015: The wellnessHostel4000 received third place in the wood-based award in the central Switzerland category.
  • 2022: Awarded with the special prize at the Niesen Summit 2014: Awarded for the wellnessHostel4000. 2007: Milestone in Switzerland: tourism award for our sustainability strategy.
  • 2013: Basel Youth Hostel received the Good Building Award from the cantons of Basel-City and Basel-Landschaft.
  • Best Hostel 2013’ was awarded to Interlaken Youth Hostel. And as if that wasn’t enough: ‘Most Comfortable Hostel 2013’ also went to Interlaken.
  • 2012: Special award for the renovation and extension of the St. Moritz Youth Hostel.
  • 2012: The 50 best Swiss annual reports, winner of the NPO category.
  • In 2011, SYH received the ZKB Sustainability Award for SMEs. This award takes economic, environmental and social aspects into consideration.
  • Swiss Solar Prize 2011 in the area of personalities/institutions for comprehensive environmental management and a pioneering role in environmentally compatible tourism.
  • 2010: Award for the best integration of CO2 compensation.
  • 2010: Awarded to Scuol Youth Hostel: overall winner, category winner in Hotels, Restaurants, and the special Green Technology award.
  • In 2008, Youth Hostel Zurich was singled out for its ‘successful conversion from the 1960s, as well as its outstanding corporate philosophy in social tourism’.

Swisstainable - Sustainable travel in Switzerland

A sustainability programme for everyone!

Swisstainable serves as our guide to a responsible world of travel. Switzerland Tourism’s sustainability programme does not aim to create a new certification, but rather to provide more orientation for you as guests.

Almost 40 youth hostels have received the certificate for the highest level “Level III-leading” from the Switzerland Tourism sustainability programme.

We will keep focussed on our long-standing sustainability strategy so that all of our 50 or so hostels will soon be awarded with Level III.

Top score for sustainability

A sustainable success: "Best of ibex fairstay 2021" award ceremony

The wellnessHostel4000 in Saas-Fee won the «Best of ibex fairstay 2023» award for the best overall performance. Chantal Anthamatten has been running the hostel with its wellness centre, public indoor swimming pool and restaurant since the very beginning. wellnessHostel4000 is an excellent example of how a tourism service provider can also add value for the local population.

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News about sustainability

  • Recertification and award with the ibex fairstay gold label

    The Avenches and Montreux Youth Hostels can be proud of their recertification and for being awarded the ibex fairstay gold label.

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  • Gstaad Youth Hostel receives platinum certification from Ibex Fairstay

    Thanks to extensive improvements in various business areas, Gstaad-Saanenland Youth Hostel has achieved the next highest level of the Ibex Fairstay award.

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  • Lugano Youth Hostel receives gold certification from ibex fairstay

    Thanks to comprehensive improvements in the areas of ecology and social issues, Lugano Youth Hostel has now been awarded gold certification from the ibex fairstay sustainability label.

    Learn more