Airbnb, SPARK! partner to empower women entrepreneurs in tourism

MANILA, Philippines — Airbnb and SPARK!, a women’s entrepreneurship-focused NGO, has announced a partnership to promote women’s entrepreneurship in tourism and further enhance the dynamic hospitality landscape of the country.

The collaboration underscores a joint commitment to foster women entrepreneurship in the tourism industry through year-long capacity-building initiatives, tailored to the specificities of local government units (LGU) across the country.

By strengthening the skills and competencies of women tourism entrepreneurs, this initiative aspires to propel the tourism ecosystem forward while creating avenues for individual prosperity.

The collaboration is also underpinned by a robust investment of $100,000 from Airbnb, specifically earmarked for fostering women’s entrepreneurship in collaboration with SPARK!. This funding underscores Airbnb’s commitment to developing a sustainable tourism model that not only enhances the industry but also supports the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs at its core. This strategic investment aims to unlock new opportunities for women and bolster the entire tourism ecosystem of the country.

Mich Goh, Airbnb’s head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan said, “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.”

“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,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

SPARK!, a catalyst for women’s empowerment, will implement the training programs that are integral to this partnership. Additionally, SPARK! will also focus on job-matching and providing access to gainful employment opportunities within the tourism sector.