It was founded in 1919 to provide affordable and safe accommodation for travellers, especially schools, youth groups and individuals across Germany.

Often, they were no more than straw beds in “makeshift shelters” located, for instance, in village schools that were closed for the holidays.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the travel restrictions and bans on accommodations caused all DJH Youth Hostels to stop operating in spring 2020.

In 2020, the strongest guest groups in the possible travel season were families, many of whom had not previously considered it as holiday destinations.

[5] Richard Schirrmann’s vision, not only provided affordable accommodation for young travelers who were traveling by foot but also aimed to educate them about the great outdoors they were venturing into and raising awareness for the environment, the vegetation, and wildlife around them.