Amadeus and World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Forge Powerful Global Partnership to Transform and Empower Thousands of Disadvantaged Youth with Cutting-Edge Digital Skills and Thriving Hospitality Careers

Amadeus, a prominent global leader in travel technology, has announced a major expansion of its partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) to accelerate the global reach of the Alliance’s Employability Program. This collaboration aims to tackle youth unemployment and promote inclusivity by equipping young people with vital skills and practical experience to start thriving careers in the hospitality sector. By combining their resources and expertise, Amadeus and the Alliance plan to transform communities worldwide, offering life-changing opportunities to disadvantaged youth and fostering sustainable growth in the hospitality industry.

Strengthening Employability through Digital Inclusion and Skill Development

The expanded partnership is part of Amadeus’s global Community Impact initiative, which is dedicated to advancing digital inclusion and building job-ready skills in the travel and tourism sector. Amadeus will serve as a long-term global partner to the Alliance’s Employability Program, helping to scale the program across multiple countries and broaden its impact. This initiative directly addresses pressing challenges faced by young people seeking to enter hospitality careers, such as lack of access to training, experience, and mentorship—especially for marginalized groups including women.

A key element of the program is integrating digital tools and hospitality technology to prepare participants for the modern workplace. Amadeus will contribute not only through funding but also by engaging its employees in volunteering, mentoring, and training efforts. The company will support the introduction of hospitality software to training sites, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience with industry-relevant technology. This practical exposure is designed to improve employability and align skills with evolving market demands.

Pilot Project Launches in India to Support Disadvantaged Youth

The first phase of this expanded collaboration launched in April with a pilot project in India, conducted in partnership with Kherwadi Social Welfare Association, a local NGO. The pilot targets 200 disadvantaged young people in key urban centers including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi. The program actively involves local hotels and global hospitality brands to provide real-world work experience and job placement opportunities.

By partnering with industry leaders, the pilot project aims to bridge the gap between education and employment. It empowers youth with vocational training, mentoring from hospitality professionals, and practical exposure in hotel operations and customer service. The pilot’s success will serve as a blueprint for future rollouts in other countries, demonstrating how strategic partnerships and community engagement can create sustainable pathways to employment.

Proven Impact and Growing Reach of the Alliance’s Employability Program

Currently active in three countries—India, Egypt, and Sri Lanka—the Employability Program has already graduated over 6,000 young people equipped with the skills and confidence needed to launch their hospitality careers. The program’s unique strength lies in its collaborative model, engaging Alliance members, hotels, restaurants, local training providers, and nonprofit organizations to address specific local needs and remove employment barriers.

The program places particular emphasis on gender inclusivity, working to increase participation and opportunities for young women in the hospitality workforce. Through targeted training, mentoring, and support networks, the Employability Program fosters a more diverse and equitable hospitality sector.

Driving the Hospitality Industry Toward Net Positive Impact

The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance represents more than 66,000 hotels and over 300 global brands, supported by a network of over 50 expert partners. The Alliance is committed to advancing sustainability in hospitality by promoting initiatives that not only reduce environmental impact but also create positive social value for communities.

The expanded partnership with Amadeus aligns with the Alliance’s vision of a Net Positive hospitality industry—one that gives back to destinations more than it takes. By investing in youth employment and digital skill-building, this collaboration supports both the social and economic pillars of sustainability, enabling the industry to thrive while uplifting local communities.

Looking Ahead: Global Expansion and Lasting Transformation

With Amadeus’s commitment as a global partner, the Alliance’s Employability Program is poised for significant growth in the coming years. The partnership will focus on scaling the program to new countries and regions, adapting the training model to diverse local contexts while maintaining high standards of impact.

By combining technology, community engagement, and industry expertise, Amadeus and the Alliance aim to create long-term career pathways for thousands more young people worldwide. This collaboration exemplifies how cross-sector partnerships can harness innovation and social responsibility to drive meaningful change—transforming lives and building a more inclusive, resilient hospitality workforce for the future.