The travel and tourism industry are both in a rough spot at the moment. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented to economies and businesses around the world, but none have been as badly affected by these two specific industries.
However, things may finally be looking up, for the tourism industry, or at least its jobseekers. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is to work with California-based Eightfold.ai to help connect tourism jobseekers with employers and thus drive the global recovery of the sector.
The new partnership will see UNWTO harness the power of the Eightfold Talent Exchange, a marketplace connecting workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with available jobs. The marketplace will utilise an advanced deep-learning AI in order to match people to the right jobs in companies that are hiring, creating a bridge between those looking for work and organisations that need manpower immediately.
All 159 UNWTO Member States, as well as the more-than-500 Affiliate Members will benefit from direct access to the platform. They will also be able to offer Talent Exchange to workers who have lost their tourism-related jobs due to COVID-19. Members that have immediate hiring needs can also post jobs and find talent who can begin work immediately.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hot the global tourism sector hard, and up to 120 million jobs are at risk. However, tourism has a long history of adapting and embracing innovation. This partnership will be a great help to the many millions of people who are dependent on tourism for their livelihoods, while also connecting employers with the very best talent our sector has to offer,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
“With Eightfold Talent Exchange, we’re providing all members of UNWTO with a platform that can unite Members over a shared goal: getting individuals who have lost their jobs back to work. The AI powering the Exchange understands the capabilities of each person: both the skills that they have from their work experience, and the skills that they could easily learn,” said Kamal Ahluwalia, President of Eightfold.ai.
