April 17, 2018 – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Global Travel & Tourism Partnership (GTTP) have announced a strategic alliance to join forces on attracting young talent to the industry.
WTTC is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. For 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of the Travel & Tourism industry globally.
GTTP is a global organization whose mission is to inspire and enable young people to build careers in Travel & Tourism. Launched in 1997, GTTP has a special focus on underserved communities and youth, where sector-specific education is implemented in the curriculum of high schools to promote industry opportunities. GTTP’s work is widely supported by education authorities, tourism ministries, and local businesses.
The strategic alliance between WTTC and GTTP will serve to provide students across the globe with fundamental knowledge about the Travel & Tourism industry, and to maximise and support future career opportunities within the sector. Our partnership recognises the critical importance of securing a future workforce and the support that involvement of business communities can bring to students.
Gloria Guevara Manzo, WTTC President & CEO, comments: “WTTC is proud to partner with GTTP as we work to bring together students and industry leaders in real-world settings. This partnership will promote growth and development opportunities within our sector while building the bridge in understanding what is needed for a successful, skilled future workforce in Travel & Tourism.”
Dr. Nancy Needham, GTTP Executive Director and President, comments: “We are thrilled to partner with the World Travel and Tourism Council with a joint mission to help address the global skills shortage in our industry. In addition, with the WTTC’s unwavering commitment to the sector, our alliance will serve to further support business’ role in giving back to the communities in which we operate.”
Michel Taride, GTTP Advisory Board Chairman, WTTC Member, and Group President of Hertz International, adds: “The WTTC and GTTP alliance is a very positive step forward for the travel and tourism industry. The Alliance provides WTTC Members with tangible and relevant corporate social responsibility opportunities both at the international and at the local level, whereas the GTTP can serve as a feeder of future, qualified employees.”
Helen Marano, Executive Vice President, WTTC, will serve on GTTP’s Advisory Board. This role will further strengthen the Advisory Board’s efforts in the promotion and facilitation of relationships between the private sector and GTTP.
About WTTC:
The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. Every year WTTC, together with Oxford Economics, produces its flagship Economic Impact Report, which looks at the socioeconomic benefits of Travel & Tourism on global, regional and country level. This year the report shows data on 25 regional groupings and 185 countries.
Travel & Tourism is a key driver for investment and economic growth globally. The sector contributes US$8.3 trillion or 10.4% of global GDP, once all direct, indirect and induced impacts are taken into account. The sector also accounts for 313 million jobs or one in ten of all jobs on the planet.
For over 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses, who bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, and raise awareness of the importance of the sector.
WTTC’s annual Global Summit brings together over 800 delegates to discuss the opportunities, challenges and issues facing the industry, while its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise the industry’s power to be a positive force in sustainability. This year, the Summit will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18-19 April.
About GTTP:
The Global Travel & Tourism Partnership is a leading charitable organization bringing Travel & Tourism education to over 660,000 students in public secondary and tertiary schools. Its mission is “To inspire and enable young people to build careers in Travel & Tourism.”
GTTP works with education authorities, tourism ministries and local businesses to bring a quality travel-related curriculum to schools in Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and the UK. Governments provide teachers and classrooms, GTTP provides curriculum materials, activities and links to businesses that collaborate with local schools.
Through GTTP courses and activities, students gain self-confidence, awareness of the companies that comprise the travel industry, become interested in the wide range of careers open to them, and develop the attitudes and skills important to workplace success. Over 2 million students have participated in the GTTP since its founding in 1996.
At the global level GTTP is supported by Amadeus, American Express, CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel), dnata, Hertz, HRG, KDS, Marriott, and Travelport. At the local level some 1200 companies participate with their local schools.
