In a recent announcement, Airbnb and SPARK!, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) focused on women’s entrepreneurship, have collaborated to provide support for women in the tourism industry in the Philippines. This partnership aims to enhance the landscape of hospitality in the country and empower women entrepreneurs through a series of capacity-building initiatives tailored to local government units (LGUs) across the nation.
The collaboration seeks to improve the skills and competencies of women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, ultimately advancing the entire tourism ecosystem and creating opportunities for individual prosperity. As part of this initiative, Airbnb has made a substantial investment of $100,000 to support women’s entrepreneurship in conjunction with SPARK!. This financial commitment underscores Airbnb’s dedication to developing a sustainable and inclusive tourism model that enriches the industry and promotes the economic empowerment of women at its core, ultimately contributing to the growth of the tourism sector in the Philippines.
Mich Goh, Airbnb’s head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “With the Philippines leading the pack with the second largest women-led Airbnb Host community globally, this partnership for us goes beyond agreements; it is a unified mission to uplift women and enhance the backbone of our tourism industry. Through joint efforts in developing strategies and interventions, we aim to foster an environment where women-led entrepreneurship thrives.”
The Mayor of Quezon City, Joy Belmonte, also praised this initiative, highlighting the vital role of women in the tourism sector. “Women are the perfect ambassadors for tourism. We are grateful for the continuous support of SPARK! Philippines, now in partnership with Airbnb, to support our local women entrepreneurs who are in the tourism and hospitality management industry. Through this program, we hope that more women can explore business models that would boost local tourism, generate more job opportunities, and contribute to the development of the city.”
SPARK!, recognized as a catalyst for women’s empowerment, will be responsible for implementing the training programs integral to this partnership, and will focus on job-matching and providing access to employment opportunities within the tourism sector.
As the collaboration between Airbnb and SPARK! takes shape, it is clear that this partnership signifies a step towards gender equality and economic empowerment within the tourism industry. This joint effort aims to create an environment where women are provided with the necessary support and resources to flourish as entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality sector, ultimately contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of the tourism industry in the Philippines.