An initiative to help young people and women in underprivileged communities in Kenya access jobs in the travel and tourism industries has been unveiled.
The pilot programme backed by Amadeus, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the Ministry of Tourism of Kenya is due to start before the end of 2017.
The initital project is expected to be followed by developing similar programmes for other emerging markets around the world.
Amadeus will work with its customers to provide travel industry training to local participants. The UNWTO will provide access to UN agencies and other key partners to bring expertise on the ground to support the project.
Kenya cabinet secretary for tourism, Najib Balala, said: “Tourism is a key backbone to the region’s economic growth, with a projected growth of 16% by end of 2016. This initiative enables us to empower women and our youth whilst building our local tourism and travel industry.”
UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, said: “Though in most regions women make up the majority of the tourism workforce, they tend to be concentrated in the lowest paid and lowest status jobs and perform a large amount of unpaid work in family tourism businesses.
“We thus need to work together to ensure women can access better jobs in tourism”.
Amadeus IT Group industry affairs vice president, Svend Leirvaag, added: “Technology can help to enhance skill levels, professionalism, and also the commitment of the workforce.
“We are equipping local communities with new technologies in line with our commitment to sustainable development. However, to really make a difference, this has to be an industry-wide joint effort”