Limited access to, or poor quality of education in the northeast of Brazil means that many young people have little training and struggle to find employment, with hotels and other tourism organisations often recruiting their employees from other parts of the country instead. As a consequence of poverty and unemployment, young girls can be driven into prostitution.

In 2010, the children’s rights organisation Plan started a project in the northeast of Brazil. Working with local partners—including the hotel industry—youth training courses were set up to facilitate access to the local labour market and discourage young people from seeking alternative sources of income, such as sex tourism.

TUI Care Foundation is committed to supporting girls by providing access to tourism training, for example to become a receptionist, waitress or chef. Following a work-study programme, girls receive a certificate to help them find a job in the tourism industry.

TUI Care Foundation also supports training of young people as ‘youth mobilisers’ to increase youth resilience, combat violence, and raise awareness about sexual exploitation amongst the local population in popular holiday destinations such as Pipa and Tibau do Sul. 

With the help of TUI Care Foundation, eight girls have successfully completed their education in tourism, with some finding jobs in the industry straight away. Twenty youngsters are being trained to become ‘youth mobilisers’, with the aim of positively impacting a further 1,000 Brazilians.