The association hopes to raise 18m by selling off the hostels, which it will use to finance a 10-year youth strategy. Trustees are expected to approve the strategy in March, when the resource, Learn 4 Real, is launched.
Alan Hopley, director for marketing and corporate affairs at the YHA, said: "The success of our Do it 4 Real summer camp scheme last year was one of the main drivers towards the refocus. We have had to decide what we are here for, which is young people of limited means."
Hostels identified for closure had the lowest occupancy rates and required significant investment, said Hopley. The organisation is considering extending discounts for under-18s to those aged under 26, he added.
About 700,000 young people from youth groups stayed overnight at youth hostels over the past year.
Do it 4 Real, a Big Lottery- funded government initiative, will be offering a total of 16,000 places this year during the Easter and summer holidays.
See Letters, p7.
