Youth Tourism is a world phenomenon which accounts for more than 17 percent of all international travel. Youth Tourism has an annual growth rate of 6.5 percent,  and is developing at a much faster pace than the 4 percent growth rate registered by international tourism. Its development into a mass movement is already a success story in some countries. However it is acknowledged that a largely untapped world market exists comprising one billion   young people. They are going to experience significant qualitative and quantitative changes in the universe, due to swift technological developments and  the ensuing transformation of global society. Also, keeping in mind that at present tourism ranks among three  major export industries in the world, alongside oil and automobiles, the political and economic stakes of tourism are indeed very high. For the first time, an inter-governmental conference on Youth Tourism is being hosted by the Government of India, under the aegis of the World Tourism Organisation, from November 18-21, 1991 at New Delhi. The Conference will explore various facets of youth Tourism-the political, economic, social and cultural significance of a vast movement of young people across the continents.

Youth has a tremendous capacity to absorb new ideas, concepts and ways of life. The result s of various important surveys have shown that young people are motivated to travel by an urge to learn about other  environments  and lifestyles. Youth Tourism therefore has a special significance in the process of educating youth, in preparing them for contemporary life in present day societies, and in safeguarding the spirit of greater understanding and accommodation that comes through travel and interaction with other cultures and people. Social tourism, and the access of young people with limited means to travel, should be of vital concern for the developing countries and for all forward looking nations.

One of the most important objectives of the ICYT-91 is to draw up a set of global recommendations for the development and promotion of Youth Tourism. If adequately supported by policies of national governments, this dynamic flow of Youth Tourism will undoubtedly  leave an  indelible imprint  on the 21st century as an important factor of peace within the international community, for the future.

The ICYT-91 holds a special significance for India with its nearly 270 million youth, who, like their contemporaries elsewhere, seek opportunities for crossing frontiers and for enlarging the horizons of their world.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India