LONDON, Jan. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Industry
Advisory Board of the Global and Travel Tourism Partnership (GTTP)
paid tribute to the foundation's 20 years of success in teaching
more than 2 million high school and vocational college students
about travel, tourism and hospitality careers as well as
sustainability issues. The Board Members include senior
executives from Amadeus, American Express, Carlson Wagonlit Travel,
Delta Airlines, dnata, Enterprise Holdings, Eurostar, The Hertz
Corporation, Hogg Robinson Group, KDS, Starwood Hotels &
Resorts, and Travelport. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
also voiced its congratulations to the GTTP community.
With the input of its members, who represent a broad cross
section of some of the major players in the travel and tourism
industry, the work of the GTTP over the past two decades has
equipped young people around the world with relevant understanding
and insight into the industry. In turn, 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.
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the GTTP plans 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, and the
United Kingdom – and now also
the Philippines, which joined the
GTTP at the start of the year.
Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General,
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said: "Tourism's true value is
in its people. UNWTO, as the United Nations Specialized Agency for
Tourism, would like to congratulate the Global Travel and Tourism
Partnership for the immense contribution it has made over the last
20 years to tourism development by educating youth around the world
on the potential of a career in tourism."
Remarks from GTTP Advisory Board Members to commemorate the
20th Anniversary include the following:
- Charles Petruccelli, Pelleas
Partners, and a Founder of the GTTP and its Industry Advisory Board
(while at American Express): "I am proud to see the journey
accomplished by GTTP in the last 20 years. It is very gratifying to
see how global travel industry brands have been willing to come
together to invest in and support education, in addition to sharing
knowledge about the great career opportunities in the travel
industry with the two million students who have participated in the
GTTP program since 1996."
- Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International (NYSE: HTZ)
and Chairman of GTTP's Advisory Board: "I have been hugely
impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of the more than 100 GTTP
student research winners I've met in the 19 years that Hertz has
been a GTTP Global Partner. Many congratulations to the Global
Travel and Tourism Partnership for its unwavering commitment over
the past two decades to attract bright stars such as these young
people to the industry to secure its future development, especially
in developing countries where tourism is critical for economic
development."
- David Radcliffe, Chief
Executive, Hogg Robinson Group plc: "On behalf of everyone at HRG,
well done and congratulations to the GTTP for their tremendous
commitment to young people and the travel industry. I'd also like
to congratulate and welcome all GTTP students who are now enjoying
fulfilling and rewarding careers in travel."
- Gordon Wilson, President and
CEO, Travelport: "Travel and Tourism is one of the biggest
industries in the world in terms of both GDP contribution (around
9%) 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 programme, 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."
- Ailsa Pollard, Senior Vice
President of dnata Travel (consumer), Middle East and India: "dnata is proud
to be part of the GTTP and the educational links they are building
between global travel businesses and communities. Nurturing the
talent pool is vital the industry's progress and sustainable
growth, and we are absolutely keen to play a role in shaping our
industry's future."
- Françoise Grumberg, Vice President Global Responsible Business,
Carlson Wagonlit Travel: "At CWT, we believe in being a responsible
business. This includes seeking out ways to help the next
generation expand their professional horizons as well as develop
their career mobility and their sensitivity to the world's
sustainability challenges. With the GTTP, we know that we have
found a great partner to help us achieve this goal. We highly
commend the dedication of GTTP directors and teachers in helping
students - especially in countries where travel and tourism is
vital to the economy - to develop critical thinking about
destination sustainability, the economic and social impacts of
tourism, and skills needed for the workplace."
- Peter Smith, Vice President of
Global Franchising at Enterprise Holdings: "The growth of the
international travel industry underscores the importance of the
worldwide GTTP initiative overall. Moreover, as Enterprise
continues to establish long-term and sustainable business
operations all over the world, it's clear that investing in today's
students and tomorrow's employees in the travel and tourism sector
is a key component of that strategic and global mindset. It's
certainly a privilege to be part of such an innovative, thoughtful
and responsible coalition."
- Elizabeth Aston, Senior Advisor,
Industry Affairs at Amadeus: "Amadeus is delighted to sponsor the
worthy GTTP global educational program in Travel and Tourism that
has life-changing results for students in underserved communities
and helps shape the future of the travel industry through skills
training and talent development."
- Alexandra Leclerc, Associate
Director, Global Citizenship, EAME, Starwood Hotels: "Our world is
changing very fast, all the time, and businesses and society have
to continuously adapt to the countless impacts of globalization. In
this age, the private sector has increased opportunities and
influence but also faces many responsibilities. Communities facing
social challenges cannot be ignored by any one sector or any one
region of the world. At Starwood, we have always viewed these
challenges as a call to action and partnering with GTTP since the
beginning has allowed us to recognize these shared problems and to
ensure we play an active role in bringing solutions."
- Mary Walsh, Director of
Corporate Communications, Eurostar: "The GTTP plays a key role in
developing the future generation of leaders in international
tourism and travel. In addition to building the skills base
for this growth industry, this collation of partners also promotes
greater cross-cultural awareness and understanding as its students
gain valuable exposure to a range of different businesses and
societies."
In conclusion, Dr. Nancy Needham,
Executive Director of the Global Travel and Tourism Partnership,
said: "The GTTP is very grateful for the support of our industry
partners, which enables our Directors and teachers to serve more
than 500,000 students in over 5,600 schools each year. Our industry
partners have also hugely contributed to teacher training as well
as the development of the GTTP's Passport to the World curriculum
used in 13 countries in Europe,
Africa, Asia, and North and South America."
In 2014 the World Travel and Tourism Council conducted important
research that identified the scale of the gaps in Travel &
Tourism talent across 46 countries. This shortfall in human
capital could cost the global economy 14 million jobs and almost
US$610 billion in GDP over the next
ten years. This would be equivalent to lowering the level of total
Travel & Tourism employment globally by 4% and global direct
Travel & Tourism GDP by 5.5%.
About GTTP
The Global Travel and Tourism Partnership is an industry
philanthropic initiative to foster future talent and tackle the
global skills shortage. The GTTP educates secondary school students
about careers in Travel & Tourism at a time when they are
making career and education choices. More than 2 million
students have participated in GTTP activities. Its Passport to the
World curriculum is used in 12 countries in Europe, Africa, East
Asia, and North and South
America. It serves some 450,000 students in more than 5,600
schools. 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.
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SOURCE The Global Travel and Tourism Partnership