Airbnb, BHTA and MOE launch High School Tourism Education Initiative

On the heels of signing an MOU with The Bahamas Government, the announcing of The Bahamas Sabbatical, and its commitment to strengthening the communities it serves, Airbnb is deepening its roots in the country, collaborating with the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and the Ministry of Education to bring a series of immersive panel discussions to hospitality and tourism students in New Providence.

From March 3, 2020, to March 6, 2020, more than 250 tenth through twelfth-grade tourism and hospitality students will connect with various Airbnb professionals, including Senior Counsel, Senior Marketing Manager, Senior Insurance Risk Analyst, a Software Engineer, Recruiting Specialist, among others.

This education initiative aims to empower students by expanding their knowledge of the different opportunities that abound in the shared economy segment of the tourism market and stimulating their interest in such opportunities.

“We are excited to provide hundreds of students with exposure and access to the industry's multifaceted opportunities,” stated Chloe Burke, Airbnb Public Policy Associate for the Caribbean and Central America. “By sharing first-hand knowledge of the various career paths available, we hope to inspire students to explore the robust opportunities this segment of industry offers." The initiative will include four panel discussions. Participating schools include:

·C.C. Sweeting High School - March 3, 2020

·C.V. Bethel High School - March 4, 2020

·Doris Johnson High School - March 5, 2020

·Anatol Rodgers High School - March 6, 2020

"Healthy tourism is all about diversified investment in communities, and Airbnb is committed to finding creative ways to support, engage, and invest in The Bahamas," stated Burke.