Global Youth Travel Awards 2015 winners announced

During the concluding event of this year's World Youth and Student Travel Conference, WYSTC 2015, the winners of the Global Youth Travel Awards 2015 - sponsored by Else Globe - were announced in Cape Town on Friday, 25 September 2015.

Having drawn an impressive number of nominations and votes, the award categories celebrate the outstanding performers within the youth, student and educational travel industry and act as a benchmark for excellence within this fast-growing sector.

"The calibre of nominations this year across all award categories has been truly outstanding.

As youth travel blossoms into the tourism industry's fastest growing segment, representing approximately 23% of international tourist arrivals, it's important to acknowledge the wealth of talent and innovation from the companies as well as individuals driving this growth." said, David Chapman, Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation.

This winners are...

The WYSE Award

The WYSE award acknowledges a person or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the youth, student and educational travel industry: Michael McCarry

Extaordinary Experience: International Student Volunteers

Green Accommodation Initiative: The Backpack

Best Marketing Campaign: STA Travel

Outstanding Volunteer Project: Blue Ventures Expeditions

Best Travel Technology Product: Tripr

Best Work Epxperience Provider: Austern International

Best Social Responsibility Initiative: The Backpack

Best Youth Travel Blogger: I am Aileen

Consumer Voted Awards

The following awards were voted for by 7,500 young travellers:

Best Youth Travel Airline: Emirates
Best YOuth Travel Destination: London
Best Youth Travel Accommodation: Generator Hostels
Best YOuth Tour Operator: Rustic Pathways
Best Youth Travel Agent: StudentUniverse

Nominations for the Global Youth Travel Awards 2016 will open next year. For more information, visit awards.wystc.org.