Hostelling International USA (HI USA)
Russ Hedge has extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry, with a focus on youth and educational travel. Russ has served as the President and CEO of Hostelling International USA, the nation's leading hostel provider. In addition, Russ has held leadership positions in various organizations, including the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the WYSE Travel Confederation. Russ has also served on the boards and executive committees of the Alliance for International Exchange and the U.S. Travel Association. Russ has been involved in international collaborations through their role as a board member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Russ Hedge has a Master's Degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Russ also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Hostelling International USA (HI USA)
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We speak different languages, but we're all in this together. Hostels were designed to lower the barriers to travel, because we believe travel fosters a deeper understanding of people, places, and the world around. It's our mission to promote a community of global citizens who have the wisdom and humanity to make the world a better place, and that's what makes hostels the first choice for experienced travelers. In hostels, you're more likely to meet someone from the other side of the world than someone from your hometown. Our shared kitchens, dining rooms and lounges ensure plenty of opportunities to connect with other travelers, and with hostel events and programs ranging from casual outings to rich cultural activities we help you get to know the destination as we do, beyond what you’ll find in guidebooks. The best part is you don't have to travel far or study abroad to experience hostels for yourself. Our affordable hostels are located in converted mansions, reinvented lighthouses and historic buildings reclaimed in the spirit of discovery and community all across the country. Hostelling International USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1934 to promote international understanding of the world and its people through hostelling. HI USA, in cooperation with other national associations worldwide, belongs to Hostelling International. This global network offers thousands of hostels in nearly 80 countries.