Tourism Talks
Tourism Talks: A dynamic series on training, funding, and shaping the future of tourism
The Tourism Talks initiative, led by AKMI on behalf of the Large-Scale Partnership (LSP) aims to facilitate quick knowledge sharing and networking among tourism industry experts.
Short talks on tourism industry themes such as skills intelligence, funding opportunities, education and training will be included at each Tourism Talks session organised by EVBB, RuralTour, AKMI, ITH and Federturismo Confindustria in the framework of the Pacts4all project.
Webinar 21 November 2024 (11:00 – 12:30)
Best practices and possible new models of integration of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the European tourism labour market
As we navigate an increasingly interconnected world, the tourism sector stands at a unique crossroads. It not only serves as a significant driver of economic growth but also as a platform for cultural exchange and social cohesion. However, while there is a need for additional human resources in a growing industry like tourism, the challenges faced by migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in accessing employment opportunities in this sector are quite significant.
The webinar will explore:
Best Practices: We’ll discuss successful initiatives and strategies that have effectively supported the integration of newcomers into the tourism workforce. We’ll aim to give innovative and bold answers to the issue of workforce shortage in the European tourism industry (especially in middle and low level qualifications) and to identify the best innovation and learning practices to be taken as reference models
Innovative Models: We’ll examine new and emerging models that foster inclusivity and leverage the diverse skills that migrants bring to the table. We will present the most significant international benchmarks in the field of training aimed at social integration and employment improvement for vulnerable people
Collaborative Approaches: We will highlight the importance of effective partnerships between governments, education & training providers and businesses to create sustainable pathways to integration and to address and overcome risks in recruiting and bringing these human resources into the tourism labor market.
Agenda
21 November 2024
The times given are those of the Central European Time Zone (CET)
11:00 – 11:20
Moderator
- Rino Vitelli, Head of EU Projects and Partnerships at Federturismo Confindustria
Keynote speaker
- Giovanni Figini, Director of Oliver Twist School – COMETA Formazione
11:20 – 12:20
- Natalia Popova, Labour Economist at ILO (International Labour Organization)
- Kenny Muscat, BILT Project Manager at UNESCO UNEVOC
- Katharina Engel, BILT Project Manager at BIBB (German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training)
- Agostino Petrangeli, Manager Sviluppo Lavoro Italia – Italian Ministry of Labour
- Alejandra La Lastra Goyarrola, Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor at Palladium Hotel Group
- Stefania Andriani, Manager at INDIRE (Italian National Agency Erasmus+)
- Marievi Gretsi, Project Coordinator at the European Department of AKMI Metropolitan College
- Elena Marinotti, INTEGRA Project Manager at Formaper
12:20 – 12:30
- Q&A Session, wrap-up and closing
Speakers & Schedule
Moderator
Rino Vitelli
Head of EU Projects and Partnerships, Federturismo Confindustria
Rino Vitelli is Head of EU Projects and Partnerships at Federturismo Confindustria, the leading Italian business association in the tourism industry, and member of the International Group of Experts established by UNESCO-UNEVOC for the implementation of the BILT Project on the Dual Transition in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector.
Specialized in destination marketing and management, he has worked throughout his career for several companies, organizations, public bodies, national and international agencies, dealing with business development, cultural heritage enhancement, promotion of tourism services, as well as training of the workforce employed in the tourism industry.
Among the most recent positions held, there are those of Project Manager and Coordinator of the “Next Tourism Generation Alliance” (Blueprint project co-financed by the European Union and implemented over four years by 14 partners representing 8 European countries) and Team Leader of the project “Upskilling and Reskilling for the Green and Digital Transition of the Italian Tourism Sector” (contracted by DG REFORM of the European Commission).
Keynote Speaker
Giovanni Figini
Director, Oliver Twist School - COMETA Formazione
Giovanni Battista Figini, school manager of Cometa Formazione – Oliver Twist School. A graduate in Modern Literature from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, he holds a PhD in ‘Training of the individual and the labour market’ from the University of Bergamo. Active in various educational innovation projects, he is also the promoter of the methodological-didactic innovation project ex art. 11 D.P.R. n. 275/1999 called ‘High school – entrepreneurial and craft experimentation of design’, approved by the Minister of Public Education.
Panelists
Kenny Muscat
BILT Project Manager, UNESCO UNEVOC
Kenny Muscat joined the Innovation and Future of TVET team at UNESCO-UNEVOC in April 2023. He serves as Project Manager in the Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET (BILT) project, where he oversees the different lines of the project. He is also the Regional Focal Point for Europe, North America and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
After graduating from university, Kenny started working as a Process Engineer and eventually moved to the Malta College of Arts, Science (MCAST) as a Lecturer. During the fourteen years at MCAST he held various leadership positions and also managed different Erasmus+ projects.
Kenny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Master’s degrees in Integrated Product Development and in Business Administration, and Postgraduate Certificates in Vocational Education and Training and in Research Methods.
Natalia Popova
Labour Economist, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Ms. Natalia Popova is a senior labour economist with the ILO Labour Migration Branch. Previously, she served as an employment and skills development specialist with the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Central and Eastern Europe, based in Budapest, Hungary. Before joining the ILO in 2009, she worked as an employment specialist at the European Training Foundation, an EU agency based in Turin that supports reforms in vocational education and training, and labour market systems. She has also completed short-term assignments with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Ms. Popova holds a Ph.D. in Governance and Policy Analysis from Maastricht University.
Alejandra La Lastra Goyarrola
Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor, Palladium Hotel Group
With a great commitment to creating social impact, she currently serves in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) department at Palladium Hotel Group, where she designs and leads initiatives that empower vulnerable communities and support sustainable development. Her journey began with volunteer work at a young age, and her experiences living abroad for nine years across diverse countries have greatly shaped my perspective. Exposure to various cultures and social systems has deepened my awareness of both opportunities and inequalities worldwide, further fueling my passion for bridging these gaps. This global understanding, combined with my previous work in the NGO sector, enables her to approach CSR with a unique blend of empathy and strategy, fostering partnerships that drive meaningful, lasting change. She looks forward to engaging with like-minded professionals at this conference, exchanging ideas, and discovering new ways to maximize our collective impact.
Agostino Petrangeli
Manager, Sviluppo Lavoro Italia - Italian Ministry of Labour
Head of Unit of the Social and Labour Inclusion Area of Sviluppo Lavoro Italia, the in-house agency of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, that is in charge of the promotion and development of active labour policies. His responsibility involves managing national programs that integrate migrants into the labor market by starting internships for foreigners who reside in Italy. Furthermore, he is currently facilitating legal channels of entry to Italy for third country nationals by implementing pre-departure vocational and civic-linguistic training programs. In addition, he is involved in the creation and reinforcement of specialized networks for the reintegration of prisoners into society and work. Previously he was in charge of designing the agency main active labour policy interventions. He began his professional career by promoting the development of tourism for people with disabilities and setting up social associations and cooperatives, and is an expert in policies for the social and labour integration of vulnerable people.
Katharina Engels
Project Manager, BIBB (German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training)
Katharina has been the BILT Project Manager at the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) since 2023. She previously worked on EU-level cooperation in vocational education and training (VET). Before joining BIBB, she was with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), managing EU-funded projects focused on digital education and global collaboration. In that role, she helped build a community of practice of education innovators through the European Commission’s Digital Education Hub. Katharina holds a Master’s in English Literatures and Cultures and is driven by a passion for global exchange. She is always excited to learn about new ways to make VET more accessible, connected, and sustainable – most recently in the BILT Expert Group on TVET in Hospitality and Tourism.
Stefania Andriani
Manager, INDIRE (Italian National Agency Erasmus+)
She is a member of staff of IT National Agency of Erasmus+ for ADULT EDUCATION sector. She specialized in Migrants Right and supporting on Education and Training path of adult migrants.
Marievi Gretsi
Project Coordinator at the European Department of AKMI Metropolitan College
Marievi is a graduate of International and European Studies (Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences) and is currently studying for her MSc in the scientific field of theology and the study of religion and culture. She is currently working at the European Department of AKMI Metropolitan College as a Project Coordinator in the context of skills anticipation and excellence in the tourism industry. What impressed her to become actively involved with the EU programmes is her desire to unlock future opportunities for young people in Europe. On account of this, she has gained extensive experience in project management of national, international and EU-funded projects focusing on skills development and career opportunities for young unemployed, entrepreneurs and socially vulnerable groups mainly in the blue economy sector.
Elena Marinotti
INTEGRA Project Manager, Formaper
Elena has a strong skill set in the fields project management, analysis and strategy. She has deep knowledge and hands on experience in EU policies and understanding, working as project designer and project coordinator to translate them in targeted field activities.
She has 25 years of experience in technical assistance EC co-funded project related to entrepreneurship development and support, both in EU and extra-EU countries such Eastern Europe countries, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, Turkey, India, Indonesia and Colombia.
She has a wide expertise in AMIF co-funded actions for training and work placement of refugees and asylum seekers, managing and designing international projects and local initiatives on migrants’ inclusion in the labour market.
She designs and delivers training curricula in the fields of soft skills, intercultural communication, diversity & inclusion topics addressed to different targets such as young people entering in the job market, would be entrepreneurs, migrants and small enterprises.
She likes establishing and stimulating networks between people, institutions and business, always looking for ideas and opportunities for the achievement of project beneficiaries and local community.
Elena works for Formaper, Agency of Milan Chamber of Commerce.
