The hospitality industry is uniquely positioned to positively impact global youth well-being. Of the world’s 1.2 billion young people, 75 million are unemployed and countless more face challenges entering or remaining in the workforce. Here are reasons hospitality has a huge impact on sustainable youth development.
- The hotel sector continues to grow rapidly and drive economic development. Unlike some industries that are struggling to shake off post-recession, the hotel sector continues to grow: Between 2010 and 2015, the growth rate was 45 percent, from $584 billion to $848 billion. That means new and improved properties in developed and emerging global markets that need employees.
- Hospitality, travel and tourism offer high-quality, entry-level jobs to youth in developing countries.By 2022, travel and tourism will employ 328 million people, creating 73 million new jobs. That might be a front desk job in South Africa, a food and beverage manager in Laos, or an entry-level position in myriad cities across the globe where a young person has the opportunity to get a job, earn an income, and gain and build experience.
- Youth who see a career path build their communities. Young people who are connected to jobs where a career path and training opportunities are available tend to stay more consistently employed. Companies that incorporate youth development into their business models through investments in pre-employment training and on-the-job professional development help attract and retain young people to the industry. Long-term economic development depends on a workforce that works, and young people that are earning an income are able to improve their economic condition and avoid destructive periods of inactivity.
- The hospitality industry is more than just a funding partner. Companies collaborate in myriad ways with development organizations to advance youth development. Organizations should consider how to leverage human and intellectual capital, create linkages to networks of owners, distributors, supplies, and partners, convene new partners and use global marketing and communication channels to strengthen and amplify social messages.
Youth development in particular helps to ensure that travel and tourism businesses have the employees they need to service an increasingly interconnected world of travel.
