2013 was a great year for StudentUniverse. We continued to grow and delivered record numbers. We launched our service in the UK. Rolled out a set of totally revamped student travel apps and a mobile site. We acquired WeHostels and even introduced student hotel rates, just to name a few. We served millions of young adventurers.

But we’re just getting started! With all the things we’ve got lined up we’re psyched about 2014. This year we hope to break all of our old records. We’ll help more young travelers see the world than ever before.

The youth/student travel market will represent more than twenty percent of global travel and more than two hundred million arrivals. It will be the fastest growing segment in travel.*

The importance of the Chinese travel market will continue to grow and China is expected to be the number one country in the world by arrivals by 2015*. More Chinese students than ever before will find their ways to European and American universities.

Leading American universities and employers will continue their focus on the importance and benefits of studying abroad and coupled with positive economic trends more families will send their college kids abroad.

Leisure travelers will go further and be braver. We’ve seen this trend for a few years and it will be accelerated in part by increased capacity in long-haul markets, a greater awareness of adventure travel and the diminishing role of borders.

We love to travel and we fundamentally believe that travel should be part of students’ education. Together with more than seventy of our airline partners, thousands of hotels and hostels as well as insurance providers and tour companies, like Me to We and G Adventures – we think we can make this a great year for student and youth travel. We hope you feel the same way!

*WYSE Travel Confederation Reports