Meet Reynaldo, a 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic. Reynaldo is turning his passion for learning into a career in tourism.

After graduating from the TUI Academy Dominican Republic, he’s taking his next steps with a hotel internship whilst aspiring to become a top concierge and studying tourism at university.

Youth unemployment is a real challenge in the Dominican Republic, and can lead to poverty and exploitation. That’s why the TUI Academy Dominican Republic is giving young people the opportunity to receive vocational training in the tourism sector to maximise their employment opportunities.

At the TUI Academy Dominican Republic, Reynaldo and his classmates received more than just vocational training. They learnt about essential life skills like workers’ rights, financial literacy, and how to protect themselves from exploitation. For Reynaldo, these workshops were life-changing: “Because of the TUI Academy, I’ve grown tremendously. I have knowledge now that I never would’ve had otherwise.”

With his training now complete, Reynaldo is taking the next step toward a brighter future. "I don't know how far I can go, but I won't stop until I reach the maximum," he says.

The TUI Academy Dominican Republic is a joint initiative of the TUI Care Foundation and Plan International Nederland.