The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA) was established in 1973. Over the past 29 years, it has been promoting love and care for the countryside by providing budget, but clean and comfortable, accommodation in the scenic rural parts of Hong Kong. By issuing an internationally recognised membership card, the association also promotes cultural exchange by means of travel. HKYHA membership entitles members to use facilities of more than 4 200 youth hostels in over 60 countries. About 25 000 individual members and 690 organisation-leader/school cardholders are enrolled with the association.

    The HKYHA is a non-profit-making, non-political and non-religious organisation, managed by an Executive Committee comprising responsible and enthusiastic personalities in the local community, and affiliated to the International Youth Hostel Federation. The association provides facilities and services to all, irrespective of race, creed or gender. Being a charity not subvented by the Government, the association is entirely dependent upon the support of members and well-wishers in financing its day-to-day operations.

    The association runs seven youth hostels: the Jockey Club Mount Davis Youth Hostel at Mount Davis, Hong Kong Island; Bradbury Lodge at Tai Mei Tuk, north-east New Territories; Bradbury Hall at Chek Keng, Sai Kung East Country Park; Pak Sha O Youth Hostel at Pak Sha O, Sai Kung West Country Park; Sze Lok Yuen at Tai Mo Shan, Tai Mo Shan Country Park; the Hongkong Bank Foundation S. G. Davis Hostel at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island; and the Jockey Club Mong Tung Wan Hostel at Mong Tung Wan, on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island. Two more hostels may be built, at Tai O and Shek Kip Mei.

    The fire-safety upgrading works at Bradbury Hall, Pak Sha O Youth Hostel, Sze Lok Yuen and the Hongkong Bank Foundation S. G. Davis Hostel, all supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, have been completed; similar works will be carried out at the Jockey Club Mount Davis Youth Hostel and the Jockey Club Mong Tung Wan Hostel in 2003. Other projects include the construction of a multi-purpose activity hall at Sze Lok Yuen, sponsored by the Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation, as well as the repair and renovation of Bradbury Lodge, depending on the availability of charitable donations for the capital works involved. During the year, the association's volunteer services group continued to organise a variety of hiking and outdoor activities as well as community services.