UN Tourism and International Baccalaureate Partner to Enhance its Global Tourism Education, Focusing on New Skills Development and Youth Empowerment

Published on December 12, 2025

UN Tourism and International Baccalaureate memorandum of understanding forms a partnership that shall work towards raising the quality and access to tourism education worldwide. The focus in their collaboration will be towards running a set of initiatives that would better equip young students at school with the required skillsets for successfully pursuing their studies and entering this rapidly growing sector.

The collaboration will involve the joint exploration of initiatives to enhance the skills and knowledge of young tourism students. It will arm them with the necessary toolkit to deal effectively in the industry. Capacity building and professional development for young students in the field of tourism, whereby they will be groomed for future careers, will be developed by both organizations. Ongoing dialogue between the two parties will be maintained to identify areas of mutual interest in tourism education in order for global trends and the evolving needs of the industry to be kept in view.

Quality Tourism Education as a Key to Empowering Young People

Zurab Pololikashvili, the UNWTO Secretary-General, emphasized that quality education is essential for supporting young people and helping them work and thrive in the tourism sector. “Quality tourism education for all is key to supporting young people and allowing them to work and thrive in our sector,” Pololikashvili said. He highlighted the partnership with the International Baccalaureate as a vital step in ensuring that high school-level students develop the necessary skills and knowledge that tourism businesses are looking for.

The initiative is designed to ensure that young people are prepared to enter the tourism workforce with a strong understanding of both global tourism trends and the local cultural contexts they will be working in. By empowering youth through education, the partnership aims to create a skilled workforce that can contribute to the future growth of the tourism industry.

Education as a Catalyst for Industry Growth

Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, noted that education plays a critical role in shaping industries, connecting people, and fostering responsibility in a shared global economy. He also pointed out how tourism brings together cultures, economies, and communities, which is why this collaboration is so important. “This partnership with UN Tourism will help the IB expand opportunities for young people to develop real-world skills in a rapidly growing sector,” Heinonen added.

The partnership between UNWTO and IB will not only provide young students with the tools needed to succeed in tourism careers but will also stimulate the development of new tourism models. As the tourism industry continues to expand globally, this collaboration will help ensure that the next generation of tourism professionals is equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges of a changing industry.

A Stronger Future for Tourism Through Education and Collaboration

This collaboration is a key step in building a sustainable and inclusive tourism sector for the future. By offering high-quality tourism education, both UNWTO and the International Baccalaureate aim to prepare the younger generation for leadership roles in the industry. As countries around the world continue to focus on sustainable development and inclusive growth, this partnership will help ensure that the tourism sector can continue to grow while providing economic opportunities for youth.

The ongoing dialogue between tourism and education sectors will likely lead to further partnerships that focus on innovative tourism solutions and how they can be integrated into curriculums that prepare young people for global challenges in tourism. This approach will allow for a more responsive and dynamic tourism education system that meets the evolving needs of the tourism industry.

Future Impact: Empowering Youth for the Tourism Industry’s Growth

The long-term impact of this initiative will be seen in the growing number of young professionals who are trained and ready to contribute to the success of the tourism industry. As more young people enter the workforce with skills and knowledge tailored to the demands of modern tourism, the industry will see increased innovation and efficiency in service delivery, leading to higher-quality experiences for travelers worldwide.

By focusing on sustainable tourism practices and providing young people with the tools to succeed, the partnership will help build a more resilient and inclusive tourism sector that benefits local communities, global economies, and tourists alike. This will create a positive impact on the tourism sector in the long term, ensuring its continued growth and relevance in the global market.

Building a Sustainable and Skilled Workforce for the Tourism Sector

This represents an important landmark in the future of tourism education, and the collaboration of the UNWTO and the International Baccalaureate will enhance further development of skills and knowledge in young students that will set up a talented resource to drive further growth and sustainable practices of the tourism industry around the world. With tourism continuing to grow as an industry sector, this collaboration assists in safeguarding youth preparedness for this future-changing landscape and the long-term success of tourism as a global economic driver.

Image Source: UN Tourism