Airbnb and SPARK!, an NGO focused on women’s entrepreneurship, today announced a partnership to promote women’s entrepreneurship in the tourism sector and further strengthen the country’s dynamic hospitality environment.
The cooperation highlights a joint commitment to foster women’s entrepreneurship in the tourism industry through a year-long capacity-building initiative tailored to the characteristics of local government units (LGUs) across the country. The initiative aims to advance the tourism ecosystem while paving the way for personal prosperity by strengthening the skills and capabilities of women tourism entrepreneurs.
The collaboration is also supported by a strong investment of US$100,000 from Airbnb, dedicated specifically to fostering female entrepreneurship in collaboration with SPARK! This funding underscores Airbnb’s commitment to developing a sustainable tourism model that not only strengthens the industry, but also supports the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs at its core. This strategic investment aims to create new opportunities for women and strengthen the country’s overall tourism ecosystem.
“For us, this partnership is more than a deal, as the Philippines is leading the way with the world’s second-largest female-led Airbnb host community. Uplifting women and strengthening the backbone of our tourism industry is unifying Through our collaborative efforts in developing strategies and interventions, we aim to foster an environment in which women-led entrepreneurship can thrive.
Our commitment extends beyond today’s announcement. By empowering women, we foster a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, ultimately creating a community of empowered women and a thriving tourism industry. ”
Mich Goh, Head of Public Policy, Airbnb Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
“Central to the Ministry of Tourism’s mission is the empowerment of women as entrepreneurs, and we recognize the importance of ensuring that women not only participate in the tourism industry, but are empowered to succeed within it. Public-private partnerships like Airbnb’s efforts demonstrate the transformative power of education to unlock opportunities for economic growth and development, thereby enabling a more inclusive and equitable tourism environment.”
Arlene Alipio, Director, Department of Industrial and Human Resources Development, Ministry of Tourism
SPARK!, which promotes women’s empowerment, will implement training programs that are integral to this partnership. In addition, SPARK! will also focus on matching jobs and providing access to lucrative employment opportunities in the tourism sector. Their expertise bridges the gap between professional training and real-world industry needs, ensuring that women are not only trained, but seamlessly integrated into tourism-related roles.
“Our commitment goes beyond training. We are dedicated to creating pathways for women to access meaningful and empowering opportunities through employment, entrepreneurship, or both. , fostering a supportive network and reinforcing our mission to close the gap between skills and employment.”
Maica Teves, Philippines Executive Director, SPARK!
“Women are the perfect choice for tourism ambassadors. Thank you for your continued support of SPARK! The Philippines is currently partnering with Airbnb to support local women entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality management industry. Through this program, more We hope that many women will be able to explore business models that will promote local tourism, create more employment opportunities and contribute to the development of the city.”
Joy Belmonte, Quezon City Mayor
This partnership is envisioned as a cornerstone to foster a thriving ecosystem of women-led entrepreneurship and pave the way for a more diverse and sustainable tourism ecosystem. His year-long partnership was first launched through a pilot program in Quezon City through a partnership with SPARK! and supported by the Quezon City Government.
