Young people in Cusco are getting a much-needed boost from tourism business association Skal Cusco in Peru.
Cusco, the gateway to Macchu Picchu, was filled with political unrest earlier this year. Over 400 tourists found themselves stranded at this wonder of the world destination due to political unrest in the country. During the crisis, Peru set up a Tourist Protection Network to maintain permanent communication with tour operators, tourism agencies, and other related services, and worked jointly with the Tourism Directorate of the National Police of Peru to help tourists as needed.
Since then, Peru has returned back to normal, and Maria Del Pilar Salas de Sumar, President of Skal Cusco, announced yesterday at the Skal Cusco Club’s General Assembly, that a collaboration agreement had been signed with NGO Vida y Vocación. This organization provides assistance for local youth from lower income communities in the high Andes of Cusco in Peru.
The assistance that Skal Cusco will provide consists of job training and internship opportunities in the tourism sector in restaurants, hotels, and other business areas where club members are team leaders in areas such as the reception, kitchen, and housekeeping, etc. The club will also provide walk-throughs and visits of businesses as well as organize workshops in pastry confection and baking, first aid, computer science, English, and more.
The primary objective of this agreement is to provide development, education, and personal growth opportunities to local youth.
Due to diverse circumstances, many of these young people do not have access to the necessary resources required to achieve their goals.
“We are certain that this alliance will greatly benefit our community, and we hope to be able to count on the support of all of our members in order to help this project come to fruition while simultaneously contributing to the development of the tourism sector in our region,” said Maria Del Pilar Salas de Sumar, head of Skal Cusco.
“Together we can make a difference. We can help the world become a more fair and equitable place for all.”