From 24 to 26 April 2026, this year’s DACH meeting of the youth hostel associations from Germany, Austria and Switzerland took place in Vienna. The host venue was the 1200 Vienna Brigittenau Youth Palace, which served not only as the location for the working sessions but also as accommodation for the delegations.
Representatives of the Austrian Youth Hostel Association (ÖJHV and ÖJHW), the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) and Swiss Youth Hostels used the meeting for intensive professional exchange, strategic discussions and personal networking.
DACH Treffen Wien 2026
The event opened with a varied supporting programme offering exciting insights into Austrian politics and Vienna’s history. Highlights included a visit to the Austrian Parliament with discussions with Members of Parliament Philip Kucher (SPÖ) and Gabriel Obernosterer (ÖVP), a guided tour of the Federal Chancellery and a visit to Vienna City Hall. A joint dinner at the historic Rathauskeller, held upon invitation of Mayor Michael Ludwig, underlined the special appreciation for this international networking event.
The second day focused on the working sessions at the Youth Palace Brigittenau. Participants exchanged views on current developments within the associations, key figures, innovations and shared challenges. A special focus was placed on the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence for youth hostels – ranging from guest communication and digitalisation to strategic future perspectives. Further topics included cooperation between volunteer and professional structures, as well as opportunities for joint initiatives within the DACH region. Once again, the meeting demonstrated how valuable cross-border exchange is for the continued development of the youth hostel movement.
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- DACH Treffen Wien 2026
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- DACH Treffen Wien 2026
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- DACH Treffen Wien 2026
The programme was rounded off with a guided tour through Vienna’s city centre and a convivial evening in the Vienna Prater, including a visit to the traditional Schweizerhaus.
The DACH Meeting 2026 once again showed that close cooperation between the associations thrives on personal exchange, shared values and a forward-looking perspective. We look forward to continuing this strong network in the years ahead.
