Wales considered becoming a commercial company during a 2005 consultation, partially in response to increased competition from independent for-profit hostels. With nearly four million members, HI is one of the world’s largest youth membership organisations and is the only global network of youth hostel associations. See also :Category: Hostelling International member associationspages for individual member associations of HI References Citations Sources Coburn, Oliver. Youth Hostel Story. London: National Council of Social Service, 1950. Grassl, Anton and Heath, Graham. The Magic Triangle: a short history of the world youth hostel movement. [S.l.]: International Youth Hostel Federation, 1982. Heath, Graham. Richard Schirrmann, the first youth hosteller. Copenhagen : International Youth Hostel Federation, 1962. External links Backpacking Youth hostelling Youth organizations established in 1932 International organisations based in the United Kingdom Charities based in Hertfordshire Hospitality companies of Hong Kong