The Global Travel and Tourism Partnership (GTTP), a business and education alliance, is today celebrating 20 years of success in educating the world’s young people about careers in travel, tourism, and hospitality, as well as the importance of the industry in both global and local economies.
A philanthropic initiative set up to foster future talent and tackle the global skills shortage in travel and tourism, the organization currently serves some 500,000 students, ages 15-19, in more than 5,600 schools.
According to Gordon Wilson, Travelport’s President and CEO, the industry benefits from more people coming through the school systems with better skills and expertise, enabling the continued growth of the sector, inclusive of imperatives around sustainability, and maintaining the world’s assets for future generations.
This year, GTTP celebrates 20 years of success in teaching and graduating more than two million high school and vocational college students around the world through GTTP’s educational programs.
To celebrate its 20-year anniversary, GTTP is planning a series of student and teacher events throughout the year in its member countries of Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, the Philippines and the United Kingdom.
Travelport is a long-time GTTP sponsor and board member as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility program. Travelport’s corporate social responsibility program is founded on a simple principle: Being committed to making a difference to our industry and being responsible citizens of the world.
Gordon had this to say in congratulating GTTP on its 20 year anniversary:
“Travel and Tourism is one of the biggest industries in the world in terms of both GDP contribution (around nine percent) and employment (creating one in eleven jobs). In particular, it generates a huge range of career opportunities for young people across multiple disciplines ranging from customer services, IT and the digital economy, sales/marketing, finance and operations.
Travelport is very proud to play an active part in the GTTP training program, with our particular lens around the digital economy, and to work on the broader development of the curriculum and its accessibility for more students. We remain fully committed to continuing to partner with the GTTP and continue with this worthy work.”
In addition to Travelport, GTTP’s board also includes senior executives from many of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies including travel management companies, flag carriers, hotel group and major car rental firms. (For more about GTTP, visit http://www.gttp.org or the GTTP Facebook page. The GTTP blog (http://www.gttp.org/blog/) and graduate profile page on the GTTP website (http://www.gttp.org/students/graduate-profiles/) showcase stories of former pupils who are pursuing successful careers in Travel & Tourism as a direct result of their GTTP education and experiences. The GTTP YouTube channel features short talks from GTTP global industry partners on career opportunities in travel and tourism.)