As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Mauritius relies extensively on the tourism industry as one of the main economic drivers. With airplanes grounded and borders closed for lengthy periods in 2020 and 2021, the local tourism sector struggled. The prolonged halt in tourism activities has resulted in job losses for those already in the tourism industry while those aspiring to enter the sector face key concerns regarding job security. 

One assumption at the Accelerator Lab is that young people, who are directly or indirectly involved in the tourism industry, have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. To test this hypothesis and understand the various repercussions of COVID-19 on the youth-tourism relationship, the Lab is holding a Collective Intelligence exercise comprising of three main components: 

1.     A Youth Dialogue  

The youth dialogue is a one-day, in-person event which will address the following themes: 

o   The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Mauritian tourism sector 

o   The impact of the pandemic on young peoples’ aspirations and careers in the local tourism sector

o   Implementable solutions and innovations driven by young people 

The aim is to gather insights to promote co-design of future tourism models with young people at the core of these interventions.  

2.     A digital survey  

As part of the Collective Intelligence exercise, a digital survey will be equally organized to complement the information collected during the youth dialogue to draw more people and perspectives for unbiased and informed conclusions.  

3.     Post-event working group  

The Accelerator Lab will create a ‘Youth Working Group’ post event as a channel for young people in the tourism sector to network and discuss innovative ideas and solutions. The creation of a Working Group is to ensure continuity of exchanges, opportunities for follow-up actions and to rebuild trust of young people in the future of the tourism industry.

 

Are you a young person? Are you interested in shaping the future of tourism?  

Connect with the UNDP Accelerator Lab at acclab.mu.sey@undp.org. We look forward to hearing from you!