Oban Youth Hostel has re-opened following completion of a major £1.2 million refurbishment.

(TRAVPR.COM) SCOTLAND - August 18th, 2011 - The SYHA Hostelling Scotland project has celebrated its completion with a launch event marking the official re-opening of the historic hostel.

The refurbishment has incorporated internal modernisation and eco-friendly features, while retaining the original building’s traditional charm.

Essential repairs and modernisation were necessary to ensure the hostel survives and continues to provide a key asset to Oban’s hugely important tourism economy.

The reopening of the town’s flagship Youth Hostel is expected to provide an important boost to local tourism and particularly fly the flag for green tourism in Scotland.

Situated on the town’s stunning waterfront, a stone’s throw from the centre and the ferry port, Oban Youth Hostel now benefits from modern facilities and refreshed décor throughout.

The Youth Hostel is now also greener, with a heat recovery system and improved insulation.

The Youth Hostel’s magnificent wooden staircase, which has been closed off from view for many years, has been restored to its former glory and become open plan.

The stained glass windows which adorn the staircase have been removed, restored and then replaced in a protected double glazed frame.

Two new rooms have been created, now offering a total of ten en-suites at an affordable cost, to meet the needs of the modern traveller and attract a wider audience of visitors to the town.

Further accommodation is available at the four star Oban Lodge, which provides premier private en-suites, kitchen and lounge facilities and panoramic views.

The renovated Youth Hostel also boasts a new reception, media room with two internet terminals and extensive local information, and self-catering kitchen, as well as new furnishings and fittings.

As part of SYHA Hostelling Scotland’s expansion of its catering offer, there is a new dining area and café offering an increased choice of food and drink on sale to guests and members of the public.

The project’s completion has also seen the Odin Naval Memorial returned to the hostel, with World War II artefacts of the submarine’s history, including the roll call and photographs of the original crew.

Oban Youth Hostel offers budget accommodation to the wealth of travellers taking in Scotland’s breathtaking West Coast, as well as providing a valuable addition to the town’s landscape and tourism business.

Marie MacColl, Manager of Oban Youth Hostel, said: “We are very fortunate to offer the youth hostel experience here in Oban within a beautiful Victorian building, in a stunning waterfront location.

“Maintaining such a building for future hostellers to enjoy is an important responsibility, and so we are thrilled to announce the completion of this major renovation project.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported our fundraising project, and are committed to working with the local community in boosting our vital tourism economy.

“We are pleased to unveil the stunning results of the renovated hostel, which we hope will prove a vibrant, and sustainable, contribution to tourism in Oban for generations to come.”

SYHA Hostelling Scotland is a registered charity dedicated to providing low cost, quality accommodation across Scotland. The charity is committed to promoting the social, environmental and educational benefits of hostelling to all, from families to retired people, couples to groups of friends.

Visit www.hostellingscotland.com for more information about the Youth Hostel Network. Book online or call the Reservations Team on 0845 293 73 73.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

SYHA Hostelling Scotland currently has a network of 71 hostels throughout Scotland, including 25 affiliate hostels.

The charity’s Youth Hostels serve most of the country’s most desirable destinations, from key urban locations to breathtaking rural areas, including some of Scotland’s most remote, and enticing, beauty spots.

An important provider of accommodation services within the Scottish Youth Tourism Sectors, SYHA Hostels provide a unique base and services for the wealth of activities and events that take in the best of Scotland. These can include outdoor pursuits, festival going, environmental education, culture and heritage, wildlife watching, school trips, weddings and conferences.

The charity listens to members’ and customer’s feedback and in response to the evolving market, now provides many more single, twin and family rooms with en-suite facilities, in addition to the traditional dormitory style accommodation.

With more than 23,000 registered members, of which over 6,000 are life members, SYHA Hostelling Scotland is the largest participant in the hostel market.

Affordable travel is part of the founding ethos of SYHA, and this stands today, with an average nightly cost of only £16 for dormitory accommodation or £20 per person in a private room.

Attracting more than 500,000 overnight guests each year – of which about 40% are from out with Scotland – the organisation accounts for a valued contribution of over £20 million to the Scottish economy per annum.

Recent figures suggest hostelling is proving popular for the ‘staycation’ market. In 2010, 33% of overnight guests were Scottish, 27% British and Irish, 29% European and 11% other international visitors.

The 80 year old organisation is in continuous need of funding to help sustain this unique network of special sites and experiences throughout Scotland.

SYHA Hostelling Scotland is a member of the worldwide community of Hostelling International,which covers more than 90 Youth Hostel Associations around the world and offers members and guests amazing experiences in over 4,000 Youth Hostels in more than 80 countries.

SYHA Hostelling Scotland is part of the VisitScotland Hostel Quality Assurance Scheme and the largest participant in the Green Tourism Business Scheme in Scotland.

The charity’s new website is designed to be user friendly, attractive and an inspiration to make the most of Scotland. To discover how we have improved it visit: www.hostellingscotland.com.

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